What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About R.E.M.

Adam Scott Glasspool, Steve Murphy, Lucas Way
  • 4.5 (60)
  • MUSIC COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About R.E.M.

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!

  1. 3D AGO

    Collapse Into Now (Pt. 2)

    The Big Mates discuss reality television, etymology, Austin Powers, and Collapse Into Now by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their analysis of the band's fifteenth and final studio album, released in 2008. 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...

    1h 29m

  2. FEB 24

    Collapse Into Now (Pt. 1)

    The Big Mates discuss endings, the 20th century, Moose Juice, and Collapse Into Now 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 fifteenth and final studio album, released in 2011. 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, ...

    1h 31m

  3. FEB 17

    R.E.M. 2008 Tour Commentary

    The Big Mates provide nice and good audio commentary for some footage from the 2008 R.E.M. World Tour. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss a couple of videos from the final R.E.M. tour, and also talk about how the band undertook this tour, the kind of setlists they played, and Adam talks about seeing them for the last time! Here are the two videos we watch, if you'd like to watch along: Fan Club Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGUNU7M5Eg4 R.E.M. Live in Mexico City 2008 https://www.you...

    1h 6m

  4. FEB 14

    BONUS: Manic Street Preachers - Critical Thinking Initial Thoughts

    BONG. In this bonus episode The Big Mates discuss the newly released album Critical Thinking by Manic Street Preachers - out today! They give their first impressions on the album and the individual tracks, compare it to previous works, and try and figure out some of the themes and subjects the band explore. Purchase or Stream Critical Thinking now - and come and let us know what you think... Join the conversation on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.social Threads:...

    49 min

  5. FEB 10

    Accelerate (Pt. 2)

    The Big Mates discuss commercial pressure, word sandwiches, revenge fantasies, and Accelerate by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their analysis of the band's fourteenth studio album, released in 2008. 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 musi...

    1h 38m

  6. FEB 3

    Accelerate (Pt. 1)

    The Big Mates discuss modern rock music, digital promotion, tiny umbrellas, and Accelerate 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 fourteenth studio album, released in 2008. 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...

    1h 52m

  7. JAN 27

    R.E.M. Live at the Olympia

    The Big Mates discuss introductions, bullies, beef, and Live at the Olympia, a live album by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by deviating from the timeline and exploring the document of the band's "public rehearsals" in Dublin in 2007. They talk about what R.E.M. did after Around the Sun, the time they spent apart, and how they went about preparing for their next recording sessions. They look at the 2006 Best Of Compilation A...

    2h 1m

  8. JAN 20

    R.E.M. Live Commentary

    The Big Mates provide fun and cool audio commentary for R.E.M. Live, the live video release by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live album and film as originally presented on CD and DVD and also dig into how it was made, how R.E.M. performed the songs from Around the Sun, and explore the whole 2005 World Tour. Dig out those official DVDs to watch along... Or don't - the episode works fine either way! Our next episode comes out Monday January 27th! Join the conversation on: Bluesk...

    1h 56m
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Trailer

4.5
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Scott Glasspool, Steve Murphy, Lucas Way
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    270
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About R.E.M.
  • Show Website
    What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About R.E.M.

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