Summer Album/Winter Album
A musical debate podcast from Jody Avirgan and Craig Finn.
Jody Avirgan & Craig Finn · Talkhouse
Show overview
Summer Album/Winter Album launched in 2025 and has put out 17 episodes, alongside 2 trailers or bonus episodes in the time since. That works out to roughly 15 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 47 min and 1h 7m — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Music show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 days ago, with 5 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 12 episodes published. Published by Talkhouse.
From the publisher
**One of The Atlantic's 20 Best Podcasts** On this podcast we believe that all albums are either summer albums or winter albums. But what defines them? The lyrics, the music, your personal relationship with the record? Summer Album/Winter Album is a musical debate podcast with Jody Avirgan (538, 30 for 30, Radiotopia) and Craig Finn (The Hold Steady). Each episode, Jody and Craig offer their opening arguments, and then with the help of a guest, explore one of the greatest records of all time. Then: a verdict from the artist. New episodes twice a month.
Latest Episodes
The Velvet Underground's "White Light / White Heat" with The Jokermen
Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" with Amelia Heath (Sylvan Esso)
U2's "The Joshua Tree" with Rob Sheffield
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: The Joshua Tree. U2. 1987. Our special guest: music journalist Rob Sheffield. Check out his latest book on Taylor Swift and his work at Rolling Stone. Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Big Thief's "Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You" with Valerie June
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You. Big Thief. 2022. Our special guest: musician Valerie June. Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
We're Coming Back! After We Celebrate "Modern Vampires" Day...
It's March 5th! Which means it's "Modern Vampires Of The City" day, since that is the date in late winter that Ezra Koenig pinned his band's record to. So in a new yearly tradition, we bring you our episode about MVOTC again -- but not before a special announcement about what's coming next for Summer Album / Winter Album!
Frank Ocean's "Blonde" with Sam Sanders
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Blonde. Frank Ocean 2016. Our special guest: Sam Sanders, host of The Sam Sanders Show and Vibe Check Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
The Strokes' "Is This It?" with Jack Coyne
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Is This It? The Strokes. 2001. Our special guest: Jack Coyne, host of Trackstar and Public Opinion. Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Lana Del Rey's "Norman F***ing Rockwell" with Avery Trufelman
ETonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: "Norman Fucking Rockwell!" Lana Del Rey. 2019. Our special guest: Avery Trufelman, host of Articles of Interest Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Pavement's "Slanted and Enchanted" with Yasi Salek
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: "Slanted and Enchanted." Pavement. 1992. Our special guest: Yasi Salek, host of BandSplain. Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark" with Tim Heidecker
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Court and Spark. Joni Mitchell. 1974. Our special guest: Tim Heidecker, musician and host of Office Hours, On Cinema, and lots more. Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Special thanks to Carmel Holt. Be sure to check out "The Road To Joni" from Sheroes. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Is Craig's New Record A Summer Album Or Winter Album?! (Rapid Fire)
Between full episodes, we'll bring you quick conversations with some of our favorite music people -- rapid reactions to a bunch of classic albums: Summer or Winter. Today, a special chat between Jody and Craig about Craig's new album "Always Been" -- Craig talks through some of the records that inspired his new work, and renders a final verdict: Summer or Winter. More soon!
Belle and Sebastian's "If You're Feeling Sinister" with Jon Ronson
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: If You're Feeling Sinister. Belle and Sebastian. 1996. Our special guest: Jon Ronson Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Walter Martin on Wilco, Bruce, Outkast, and Donovan (Rapid Fire)
bonusBetween full episodes, we'll bring you quick conversations with some of our favorite music people -- rapid reactions to a bunch of classic albums: Summer or Winter. Today, Walter Martin of The Walkmen, lots of great solo projects, and the Walter Martin Radio Hour, which you can find on substack. More soon!
Paul Simon's "Graceland" with Malcolm Gladwell
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Graceland. Paul Simon. 1986. Our special guest: Malcolm Gladwell Jody Avirgan is arguing Summer, Craig Finn is arguing Winter. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Check out Malcolm's series with Paul Simon "Miracle and Wonder" Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Vampire Weekend's "Modern Vampires Of The City" with Amanda Petrusich (Live from On Air Fest)
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: Modern Vampires Of The City. Vampire Weekend. 2013. Our special guest: Amanda Petrusich of The New Yorker. Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Craig won the coin toss. He is presenting first. This episode was recorded live at the On Air Fest in Brooklyn. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Modest Mouse's "The Lonesome Crowded West" with Kevin Morby
Tonight on Summer Album / Winter Album: The Lonesome Crowded West. Modest Mouse. 1997. Our special guest: Kevin Morby. Jody Avirgan is arguing Winter, Craig Finn is arguing Summer. Jody won the coin toss. He is presenting first. Weigh in and find lots more on instagram, and clips on our youtube page. Get in touch through our website.
Introducing: Summer Album/Winter Album
trailerEA new musical debate podcast from Jody Avirgan and Craig Finn.