221 episodes
What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About R.E.M. Adam Scott Glasspool, Steve Murphy, Lucas Way
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4.5 • 52 Ratings
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A podcast about discographies. A different artist every season. Currently in Season 6! Join Adam, Steve, and Lucas, as they go album by album, track by track, to find out if context can change your experience of music, how people become obsessed with artists, and to ultimately answer the question 'what is music?' Expect in-depth analysis, tedious tangents, controversial music opinions, and an exhaustive attitude to context. Also expect to find out more about the artists (and the hosts) than anyone could ever want to know! Previous seasons have covered Manic Street Preachers, Muse, Billie Eilish, and Radiohead!
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R.E.M. Succumbs Commentary
The Big Mates provide mesmerising and entirely necessary audio commentary for Succumbs, the first video release by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the VHS/Laserdisc compilation featuring music videos and films from 1983 through to 1986.
Head to YouTube to watch along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzWrTWsV5vI&t
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!
Our next episode comes out Monday April 29th and will see us reflect on R.E.M.'s career so far!
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 -
Document (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss Christmas tree etiquette, goose related nightmares, Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Document by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by finishing up their track-by-track analysis of the band's fifth studio album, released in 1987. 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 bring the track-by-track to a close, exploring the meaning of the songs, the differences between the first and second half, and explore two of the biggest R.E.M. songs that they have encountered so far. They sum up their thoughts on the album, give scores, and discuss how it was received when it came out.
They also find time to discuss the legacy and influence of the album, the band's Work Tour of 1987, and the end of their recording contract with IRS.
How do we feel about the album? Do you know what a dulcimer sounds like? Why is Lucas the James Bond guy? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday April 22nd and will see us offering some audio commentary for the first R.E.M. video release, Succumbs.
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 -
Document (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss file naming conventions, Role Models, trickle-down economics, and Document by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their analysis of the band's fifth studio album, released in 1987. 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 used the skills they learned on the previous album, the search for a more muscular sound, and the beginnings of their relationship with a new producer.
They also tackle the meaning of the album's title, what exactly features on the album's artwork, and they find the time to reflect on what they have learned about R.E.M.'s sound so far, and explore the political landscape of the US in the 1980s.
How does all of that fit into Document? Is it heavy metal? Who is David Strathairn? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday April 15th and will continue and conclude our analysis of Document.
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 -
The Smile Live in Brighton
The Big Mates discuss running, arranging the arrangements of a meeting, paste, and go to see The Smile live at the Brighton Centre.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas converge in Brighton in order to experience a live show by Radiohead sidproject, The Smile. They discuss their expectations, live business, and both their initial and considered reactions to the performance.
What do they play? What are the vibes? Will Lucas even make it? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out next Monday April 8th, and will see us return to R.E.M. with a deep-dive into their fifth album, Document!
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 -
Dead Letter Office
The Big Mates discuss liner notes, The Velvet Underground, being nice, and Dead Letter Office by R.E.M.
Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by exploring the collection of b-sides they released in 1987. They talk about where each track came from, 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 collection in general, whether b-sides should be taken seriously, and whether or not R.E.M. are the band to do that! They get to explore a range of moods along the way, from soft country, to heavy metal pastiche, to classic rock covers, and beyond... a must!
Why is this some people's favourite R.E.M. album? How can you listen to this podcast being recorded live? How do you surf the web? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?
Our next episode is out on Monday April 1st and will be a report from The Smile Live in Brighton!
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!
Check out the Skwiggo album here:
https://skwiggo.bandcamp.com/album/skwiggo-i
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 -
R.E.M. Clip-a-palooza 82-86 Commentary
The Big Mates provide exciting and tangential audio commentary for a selection of R.E.M. clips ranging from 1982 to 1986.
Confronted with very little good footage of the Pageantry tour, Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss a range of clips, from news reports, live performances, interviews, and promos from across the band's career so far! There's also some grainy footage of their 1986 tour!
Head to YouTube to watch along:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhQdLMeupWmY_bUf_UaSqGjRXo_hbCZh&si=Fu_QWKlQx-fJNI14
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!
Our next episode comes out Monday March 25th and will see us explore the b-sides collection, Dead Letter Office!
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
Customer Reviews
I laughed and learned all the things
I really don’t laugh at stuff in any form of media. No clue why. So I was shocked to listen to this podcast and find myself on the verge of tears from the beyond witty banter. You guys are hysterical. I love it. Please do these podcasts forever.
What is nu-dad rock?
A fun hang with likable hosts, but who are unapologetically stuck in their nostalgia for alternative rock bands that haven’t been relevant in decades. Great news for superfans who want to spend years exhausting over every REM album, but if you enjoy a more diverse spectrum of music, or feel that an endless parade of Manic Street Preachers isn’t worth hundreds of hours of scrutiny, then you may find yourself alienated by the otherwise admirably committed deep dive format.
great pod
insightful, but audio is kinda weird