What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Music

Latest Episodes:

OK Computer (Pt. 3) Jul 04, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss murderous cats, musique concrete, ASMR, and OK Computer by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas conclude their track-by-track deep dive into the mammoth third album 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 also explore how the album was received at the time of release and the incredibly large legacy it has left behind.
How will they rate the album? What would John Major think of Radiohead? Is Lucas kissing wrong? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday July 11th and will feature an in-depth exploration of the doucmentary Metting People Is Easy, which follows Radiohead on their OK Computer world tour.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

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OK Computer (Pt. 2) Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss technology, Ewoks, the ZX Spectrum, and OK Computer by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their track-by-track deep dive into this blockbuster album by beginning their track-by-track exploration. They 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 discuss the context, recording process, and reception of the songs, as well as exploring the lyrics, themes, and subtext of everything contained within them.
Does this sound like Radiohead? Is Airbag a Christmas song? What is a Mellotron? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday July 4th and will conclude our track-by-track analysis of OK Computer and examine the legacy of this highly praised record.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

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OK Computer (Pt. 1) Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss Soul Asylum, Baz Luhrmann, R.E.M., and OK Computer by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of Radiohead by tackling their highly praised third album OK Computer. 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 created their own studio environment, the state of the world as the album was being conceived, and the huge expectations that come with album often being cited as one of the "greatest of all time."
They also find time to discuss Talk Show Host and the various influences at play for OK Computer.
What themes are present on this album? Can it possibly live up to the hype? Has our perception of the album changed over 25 years? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday June 27th and will continue the deep-dive into OK Computer.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

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Radiohead Live at the Metro 1996 Commentary Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates provide insightful commentary for Radiohead Live at the Metro.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the show as boradcast on TV in 1996, and dig in to the context surrounding the tour undertaken in support of The Bends. They also find the time to discuss the debut of a new song in 1995, and a song Radiohead covered on the tour.
Head to the Radiohead Public Library to watch along here:
https://www.radiohead.com/library/#bends/1996-04-06-chicago-metro-96/
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

The Bends (Pt. 3) Jun 06, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss Bridge of Lies, LCD Soundsystem, dealing with anxiety, and The Bends by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas conclude their track-by-track deep dive into the influential second album 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 also explore how the album was received at the time of release and the legacy it has left behind.
How will they rate the album? How do you say an ellipsis? What is an epilogue? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday June 13th and will feature insightful audio commentary to Radiohead's live show at the Metro, Chicago in 1996.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

The Bends (Pt. 2) May 30, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss Sports Direct, Sigur Ros, iron lungs, and The Bends by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their track-by-track deep dive into the influential sophomore album 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.
What are the themes of the album? Why are some mugs so large? Can Steve do the outro? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday June 6th and will conclude our track-by-track analysis of The Bends.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

The Bends (Pt. 1) May 23, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss air fryers, high charts, dry charts, and The Bends by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of Radiohead by picking up where they left off starting their deep dive into the band's second album, released in 1995. 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 once again struggled with the studio environment, their new approach to experimentation, and how The Bends fits into the popular culture of the time in which it was released...
Was Thom Yorke in McBusted? What do numbers mean? Who is The White Chocolate Farm? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday May 30th and will continue our track-by-track analysis of The Bends.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Making Pablo Honey with Paul Q. Kolderie May 16, 2022

Show notes

Adam sits down with music producer Paul Q. Kolderie to discuss mixing techniques, the music industry, and his work producing Pablo Honey by Radiohead.
They talk about how Paul became a music producer, how he got started with his producing partner, Sean Slade, and how they started working with Radiohead. Paul gives insight into how the band were in the studio, and touches on the respeonse to, and legacy of the album.
They also, of course, talk about Creep and find time to chat about Paul's work on mixing Radiohead's next album, The Bends.
Our next episode is out on Monday May 23rd and will begin our coverage of Radiohead's second album, The Bends.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Radiohead Live at the Astoria Commentary May 09, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates provide insightful commentary for Live at the Astoria, the officially released live VHS by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the show as committed to tape in 1994, and dig in to the context surrounding the tour undertaken by Radiohead in support of Pablo Honey? They also find the time to discuss the bands appearances at Glastonbury and Reading 1994, the sneak previews of songs from The Bends, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers! They also "do a live react" to Radiohead's legendary performance of Anyone Can Play Guitar on MTV's Beach House.
Head to the Radiohead Public Library to watch along here:
https://www.radiohead.com/library/#bends/1994-05-27-live-at-the-astoria
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!
Find the video for Anyone Can Play Guitar here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0si0fB0lnow
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show

Pablo Honey (Pt. 2) May 02, 2022

Show notes

The Big Mates discuss The Sims, The Clangers, Friends, and Pablo Honey by Radiohead.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of Radiohead by completing their track-by-track analysis of the band's debut album, released in 1993. 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 album was received upon release, how the band themselves feel about the album now, how the album sits in not only Radiohead's discography, but in wider culture, and they find time to discuss the standalone single Pop Is Dead.
What will the Big Mates ultimately think of the album? Is Adam's favourite band Radiohead or R.E.M.? Is pop dead? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday May 9th and will be an insightful audio commentary for the band's live performance at the Astoria in 1994.
You can now wear your fandom on your (literal) sleeve!
What Is Music? now has a RedBubble shop with lots of cool and stupid designs. You can get the designs on basically any product you like, from t-shirts and mugs, to bath mats and jigsaws, via clocks and phone cases! Head to https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
If you'd like a different way to donate to us
You can do so at https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic
Any donations very gratefully received and go towards our running costs!
Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com
http://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/

Support the show (https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic)

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