What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music

Latest Episodes:

Another Christmas Episode Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates get festive.
Join us for another Christmas of mostly the same stuff as the previous ones. Are you ready for Christmas? What's your favourite Christmas? What are your favourite Christmas songs? Is Die Hard having a Christmas movies?
It's all here, and it's all the same! Some games, a round of guess the intro, and some mentions of the holiday season!
We'll be having a little break over the holiday period - we return on Monday January 8th, and we'll begin our deep-dive into the second R.E.M. album, Reckoning!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
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Murmur (Pt. 3) Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss head shapes, nostalgia, the sequel to Gladiator, and Murmur by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas conclude their track-by-track analysis on R.E.M.'s debut album, released in 1983. They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the songs, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.
They touch on the events surrounding the album's release, the critical reaction of the time, and how we view the legacy of a record called "one of the greatest debut albums of all time" in today's musical landscape.
How does the album work as a whole? How does it come across in modern times? What is 'twee'? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is our Xmas Special, out on Monday December 18th!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
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Murmur (Pt. 2) Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss niche British TV theme tunes, inherent emotion, time signatures, and Murmur by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their track-by-track analysis on R.E.M.'s debut album, released in 1983. They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the songs, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.
They touch on indecipherable lyrics, late evening football games, nostalgia, and the mechanics of songwriting.
What is a Moral Kiosk? Does Talk About the Passion sound like Hans Zimmer? What crimes are good? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday December 11th and will conclude our track-by-track analysis of Murmur.
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Our Sponsor this week is Unfold. Find out more at www.cristinabonnet.com
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Donate to our podcast!
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Murmur (Pt. 1) Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss small waveforms, portmanteaus, Muse, and Murmur by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their track-by-track analysis on the band's debut album, released in 1983. They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the songs, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.
They touch on how the band found their producers in Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, their decision to sound like a different band, how the band write their songs, and the legacy of Radio Free Europe.
They do this whilst also giving their thoughts and opinions on the album as a whole, the first couple of tracks, and how they see this fitting into the band's discography going forward.
How did the band evolve from their EP? How far into the album will we get? Can anyone make out the lyrics? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday December 4th and will continue our track-by-track analysis of Murmur.
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Our Sponsor this week is Unfold. Find out more at www.cristinabonnet.com
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground 1982 Commentary Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates provide casual and tangential audio commentary for R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground 1982.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live performance (and a whole host of other, completely unrelated things) as broadcast on TV. Shot on just two cameras and only recently remastered, the show offers an interesting glimpse into the early days of the band, performing here before they'd even released an album!
Head to YouTube to watch along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sBVX9kRmBE
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!
Our next episode comes out Monday November 27th and sees us begin our deep dive into Murmur, the debut album from R.E.M.!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Chronic Town Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss the history of rock music, torn posters, pressing mistakes, and the early days of R.E.M..
Adam, Steve, and Lucas start at the beginning, talking about the individual members of R.E.M., how they grew up, and then follow them through the early days of music making in Athens, Georgie. They touch on the musical landscape of the time, the legacy of rock music, and chart the band's musical progression all the way up to their first single release, Radio Free Europe, and the release of their debut EP, Chronic Town.
The Big Mates go track-by-track on the EP, offering up analysis, opinions, and context from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.
How did R.E.M. form? Is Steve punk? What was Sir Mix-a-Lot knighted for? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday November 20th and will feature insightful audio commentary for an early R.E.M. show!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Season 6 Introduction: R.(w)E.M.joying This? Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates introduce Season 6 of the What Is Music? podcast.
It's called "R.(w)E.M.joying This?: A Critical Analysis of the History, Cultural Impact, and Music of R.E.M." Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin their deep-dive exploration of R.E.M. by talking about their experiences with the band's music, and how much they already know.
They then tackle some R.E.M. FAQs, discuss the genre they helped define, and reveal what they're most looking forward to about the season to come.
The season to come will be an album-by-album, track-by-track exploration of R.E.M.'s long and influential career, the context around each release, behind-the-scenes stories of each recording session, a look at the legacy of the albums they've released, and a review of all of it, complete with scores, rankings, and lists!
It promises to be exhaustive, informative, and fun as we approach R.E.M.'s discography from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Billie Eilish Round-Up Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss the O2, boybands, reality television, and catch-up with Billie Eilish.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas jump back into the career of Billie Eilish to find out what she's been up to since they finished Season 3, Should Eilishen?
They discuss songs written for a Pixar film, the 2 track EP Guitar Songs, her contribution to the soundtrack for Barbie, and also touch on her Happier Than Ever World Tour, TikTok virality, and get to say the word 'blosh' again!
What has Billie been up to? What was Lucas made for? Are Steve and Adam 13 year-old girls from Canada? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out next Monday, November 6th, and will see us begin a brand new season!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Muse Live at the O2 Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss queues to nowhere, calamari, tickets prices, and go to see Muse live at the O2.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas travel to London in order to experience a live show by Muse at the O2 arena. They discuss their expectations, Muse's live prowess, and both their initial and considered reactions to the performance.
What do they play? Can Lucas put up with standing? Can Adam put up with Muse? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out next Monday October 30th, and will see us providing a round up of Billie Eilish songs we've missed over the last few months!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Lauryn Hill Final Thoughts Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss socialising with the fellowship, Uatu the Watcher, lists, and their final thoughts on Lauryn Hill.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas look back on the last 9 weeks of musical examination, place the career of Lauryn Hill into context, and discuss their feelings and opinions on her music.
They take in critical reception, cultural impact, and sum up each album of the her discography. They also find time to discuss their album rankings, final scores, and their Top 10 Lauryn Hill songs.
Does context affect the way we listen to music? Does knowing the history of an artist give you a better appreciation of their output? And, more importantly, do we Ms. Lauryn Hill? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out next Monday!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
Get access to more shows, exclusive bonus content, ad-free episodes of this show, and more music discussion by subscribing to our Patreon!
Head to patreon.com/whatismusicpod and receive up to two new episodes of our various shows every week (including shows about Manic Street Preachers and monthly themed playlists!), ad-free archives of What Is Music?, and access to our Patron-only Discord server for even more music (and non-music) discussion!
Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379
Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/