Anything But Toto

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MUSIC COMMENTARY
MONTHLY

Anything But Toto is a music podcast that is equal parts review, rant, and retrospective. Join Bianca and Julian as they dive into new releases and old favourites, offering insightful – albeit, nitpicky – analyses of music composition, production, and consumption. You never know who or what will be discussed next, but rest assured, this is a Toto-free space.

7 SEPT

Ep. 11: "Take a Bite" - Beabadoobee, Clairo, and Sabrina

Three album reviews for the price of one?! In this economy?! Join Bianca and Julian as they dive into the late-summer post-Brat wave of major album releases: Beabadoobee’s This is How Tomorrow Moves, Clairo’s Charm, and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet. By examining these three albums, B and J explore the differences between “journey albums” and “vibe albums,” examining how each approach can either captivate listeners or fall flat. Listen to find out which is which! But that’s just the start. This episode also covers a wide range of hot topics, including: - Maxxxine - The It Ends With Us and Blake Lively controversies - The Trump assassination attempt - Taylor Swift and the Vienna terror plot - Biden and Harris - Katy Perry’s “Woman’s World” - Chappell Roan’s warning to fans - Oasis’ reunion - The Dare - Addison Rae’s “Diet Pepsi” - Zane Lowe - Longlegs - Martin Scorsese - Girls - The Bear Got something to share? Email Bianca and Julian at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Theme song by Daniel Konikoff

2h 38m
18 JUL

Ep. 10: "Anything Brat Toto" - A Review of Charli XCX's Brat

It's the 10th episode of Anything But Toto (woo!) and things are about to get a little bratty. Join Bianca and Julian as they dive deep into the album of the summer, Charli XCX's "Brat." They dissect the album's production, central concept, and themes, leading to an in depth conversation about anxiety and depersonalization, parenthood, 2000s nostalgia, grief, and passive aggressive friendships. Bookending Bianca and Julian's album review are these additional topics: Challengers, Saltburn, and the 2000s aesthetic Ariana Grande’s “the boy is mine” The music of Max Martin Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” New Beatles biopic casting rumours Normal People Girls Travis Kelce’s onstage appearance at the Eras Tour The Charli XCX and Taylor Swift beef How The 1975 influenced two of the biggest albums of the year Gracie Abrams and Pop Girl Summer Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” The Idea of You The King of Comedy Lovelace Theme song by Daniel KonikoffStream "Time Machine" and "White Confetti" by Lucky Lansky HERE

2h 42m
11 JUN

Ep. 9: "Is It Casual Now?" - Chappell Roan, Ticketmaster, and Baby Reindeer

After waxing poetic about Taylor Swift for 5 hours, followed by a brief break, Bianca and Julian are back with another action packed episode, covering several topics: - Gen Z pop girl revolution: Chappell Roan's "The Rise and Fall of a Midwestern Princess", Olivia Rodrigo's "Guts", and Sabrina Carpenter - Impact of Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" - Ticketmaster lawsuit and recent tour cancellations - Billie Eilish/Taylor Swift "one-sided" feud - Lana Del Rey and James Bond - The Beatles and Beach Boys Disney+ documentaries - Baby Reindeer, Fleabag, and The Jinx Want to share your thoughts? Email Bianca and Julian at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Music by Daniel Konikoff

1h 23m
3 MAY

Ep. 8: "Waxing Poetic" - Taylor Swift, The Poet

In part two of their analysis of "The Tortured Poets Department," Bianca and Julian wax poetic about one of the most talked about aspects of the album - Taylor Swift as a poet. Is she a poet or just a phenomenal lyricist? What's the fine line between "poetry" and "lyrics"? This episode also dives into: - Reviews of the album - Taylor's high profile ventures into other art forms - The best way to listen to music - What makes a song effective (the "Full Package" argument) - Taylor's best and most questionable lyrics - Trimming (or waxing) this collection into a 13-song album - The purpose of double albums Want to watch our "Guilty as Sin?" music video/fan edit? Want to recommend some music to us or share your thoughts about the episode? Email us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Spotify link to Bianca's single disc version of TTPD: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1dJnktwGEhKkr5FTzqp1ph?si=0ea583f3adc0492d&nd=1&dlsi=2d236ea2a4d3488b Music by Daniel Konikoff

1h 52m
22 APR

Ep. 7: "The Tortured Toto Apartment" - A Review of Taylor Swift's "TTPD"

In this week's episode, Bianca and Julian dive deep into Taylor Swift's 11th studio (and first double!) album, "The Tortured Poets Department" ("The Anthology" edition). In this rant/review, they discuss quantity vs. quality, musical vs. lyrical analysis, Jack Antonoff's production, AI and "demo-itis," our "Guilty as Sin?" music video, and the influence of The 1975. Is this Taylor at her very best? Listen to find out! Also discussed are: - Jojo Siwa's "Karma" - The new "Lennon/McCartney" song - OJ - Sabrina Carpenter Email us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Music by Daniel Konikoff

2h 29m
5 APR

Ep. 6: "Needle Drop" - Soundtracks, Fake Bands, and Addison Rae

Join Bianca and Julian as they discuss: - Their favourite movie soundtracks - The Diddy allegations - The "Quiet on the Set" and J.Lo documentaries - The media frenzy surrounding "Kate Middleton's disappearance" - The best music from "fake artists" in movies - The GOATs Adam Schlesinger and Mike Viola - Addison Rae's debut EP, "AR" - Trying to survive hilarious jazz-poetry performances They also answer your emails and read your hot takes! If you'd like to write into the show, email Bianca and Julian at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Music by Daniel Konikoff

1h 28m
26 MAR

Ep. 5: "Shaken, Not Stirred" - Bond, Barbie, and Celebrity Encounters

In this week's episode, Bianca and Julian discuss: - Recent 007 casting rumours - Their issues with Oppenheimer and Barbie - Julian's childhood dream of owning a wax museum - 17-year-old Bianca's stealthy attempts to meet teen idols - Retro revival music (The Lemon Twigs vs. Greta Van Fleet) - Hanging out with the Beach Boys and much much more! Reach out to us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Music by Daniel Konikoff

1h 27m
19 MAR

Ep. 4: "The Return" - Swift, Sur, and the Fab Four

Bianca and Julian return from their two year sabbatical with a brand new format! In their first episode as an unedited pop culture and current events podcast, they discuss Swiftmania, Vanderpump Rules, Love is Blind, awards season, the recently announced Beatle biopics, and their proposal. Reach out to us at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com Music by Daniel Konikoff

1h 32m
25/01/2022

Ep. 3: ”Simply the Best” Part 1 - An Analysis of 10 Perfect Pop Songs

After a busy few months, Bianca and Julian are back with a new type of episode for a new year. In lieu of their *award winning* album reviews, they provide a detailed analysis of their choices for ten perfect pop songs. What is a pop song? What makes one perfect? What in god's name is a "nasty chord"? Join Bianca and Julian as they answer these questions and more, analyze the first five songs on their list (part two is already in the works), and sing.... with mixed results. What made your list of perfect pop songs? Let us know at anythingbuttoto@gmail.com

1h 17m
19/10/2021

Ep. 2: ”Pushing Forty in the Friend Zone” - A Review of John Mayer‘s Sob Rock

In this episode, the impossible happens… Bianca and Julian discuss Toto. “But why?!,” you might ask. Well, on his latest studio album, John Mayer rides the waves of The Search for Everything on a luxury yacht, offering a collection of unrequited love songs coloured in shades of teal. Full of eighties drum machines, synthesizers, and production techniques, Sob Rock is an homage to the popular music style commonly called “yacht rock.” The nature of this project creates a dilemma for Bianca and Julian, who are simultaneously two of the biggest critics of eighties music and two of the staunchest supporters of John Mayer. The result is a discussion that twists and turns, referring to everything and everyone from Toto to The Warriors, Katy Perry to abandoned Zellers warehouses, and obscure George Harrison solo records to insurance company advertisements. What is an “anti-chorus”? Does Julian's fountain pen analogy go on for too long? Did John Mayer predict COVID? Tune in to find out!

1h 47m
29/08/2021

Ep. 1: "It's Brutal Out Here" - A Review of Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR

In this premiere episode, Bianca and Julian discuss Olivia Rodrigo's debut album, SOUR. A teen angst rollercoaster filled with heartbreak, milkshakes, and parallel parking, SOUR has garnered near-universal acclaim from music critics. However, is the album all it's hyped up to be? Join the Anything But Toto team as they break down the music, analyze the lyrics, and speculate about the album's influences. Is SOUR Tik Tok-tainted? Is Billy Joel worth breaking up over? Did Bianca ever escape Chapters? Tune in to find out!

1h 40m

11 Episodes

Creator

Anything But Toto
Years Active

2021 - 2024
Episodes

11
Rating

Explicit
Show Website

Anything But Toto

Anything But Toto

Episodes

Ep. 11: "Take a Bite" - Beabadoobee, Clairo, and Sabrina

Ep. 10: "Anything Brat Toto" - A Review of Charli XCX's Brat

Ep. 9: "Is It Casual Now?" - Chappell Roan, Ticketmaster, and Baby Reindeer

Ep. 8: "Waxing Poetic" - Taylor Swift, The Poet

Ep. 7: "The Tortured Toto Apartment" - A Review of Taylor Swift's "TTPD"

Ep. 6: "Needle Drop" - Soundtracks, Fake Bands, and Addison Rae

Ep. 5: "Shaken, Not Stirred" - Bond, Barbie, and Celebrity Encounters

Ep. 4: "The Return" - Swift, Sur, and the Fab Four

Ep. 3: ”Simply the Best” Part 1 - An Analysis of 10 Perfect Pop Songs

Ep. 2: ”Pushing Forty in the Friend Zone” - A Review of John Mayer‘s Sob Rock

Ep. 1: "It's Brutal Out Here" - A Review of Olivia Rodrigo's SOUR

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