What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Arctic Monkeys

The Big Mates discuss ticket buying, secret agents, time signatures, and two albums by The Smile.Adam, Steve, and Lucas return to the subject of their fourth season in order to catch up with the extra-curricular activities of members of Radiohead. As the band released two albums within a year, the Big Mates talk about Wall of Eyes and Cutouts all in one episode!They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the albums, 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 find time to speculate on the rumoured Radiohead tour!When will they stop ripping off Muse? Is Lucas Radiohead? Can you do maths with time?  Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out next Monday May 12th, and will see us return to Billie Eilish in order to start discussing her third album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

The Big Mates discuss and conclude their thoughts on R.E.M. and their career. They bring an 18-month journey to a close, with thoughts on the sound, story, and attitude of the band, a recap of each of their albums and moods, and a look at their impact and legacy. It's a long finale to a long season! Thank you all for joining us!Is it era or era? Do Nirvana sound like the Spice Girls? What is the true identity of Santa Claus? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out next Monday!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

The Big Mates watch all of R.E.M.'s music videos in one sitting. Or a lot of them, at least!You can watch along with us here:https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1BTocYjExC/Or you can just listen without watching anything - that works too!Or you could make your own playlist - scroll down to see which videos we covered!Our next episode will see us wrap-up and offer final thoughts on the whole 15-album, 31-year career of R.E.M. and is out on Monday April 28th!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/The videos we watch in this episode are:Wolves, LowerRadio Free EuropePretty PersuasionSo. Central RainCan’t Get There From HereDriver 8Feeling Gravitys PullLife and How to Live ItFall On MeThe One I LoveIt’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)Finest WorksongTalk About the PassionOrange CrushStandTurn You Inside-OutPop Song 89Get UpLosing My ReligionShiny Happy PeopleNear Wild HeavenRadio SongDriveMan on the MoonThe Sidewinder Sleeps ToniteEverybody HurtsNightswimmingFind the RiverWhat’s the Frequency, Kenneth?Bang and BlameCrush With EyelinerStrange CurrenciesStar 69TongueE-Bow the LetterBittersweet MeElectroliteHow the West Was Won and Where It Got UsDaysleeperLotusSuspicionAt My Most BeautifulThe Great BeyondImitation of LifeAll the Way to Reno (You’re Gonna Be a Star)I’ll Take the RainBad DayAnimalLeaving New YorkAftermathSupernatural SuperseriousHollow ManMan-Sized WreathUntil the Day is DoneMine Smell Like HoneyUberlinOh My HeartWe All Go Back to Where We BelongSupport the show

Adam talks to Bertis Downs, long-time legal advisor and manager of R.E.M. They talk about the formation of his musical tastes, his background in law, and meeting the band in the early days of their career. They also discuss what he saw in R.E.M., how he learned the job as he was doing it, how to manage a band with a clear vision of their own, how to pick singles, life after the band, and much more!Our next episode is out on Monday April 21st!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

The Big Mates discuss face food, William S. Burroughs, obscure Arctic Monkeys singles, and a selection of b-sides by R.E.M..Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss some b-sides and rarities from across the band's career, discussing the content and recording process. Which songs have been included? How do you use a Scrub Daddy? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out on Monday April 14th!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Adam welcomes back Ethan Kaplan, this time to discuss his work with the band during the process of Accelerate and Collapse Into Now.They talk about album promotion in the 21st Century, embracing emerging technology, the advent of social media, and the studio process for the last few R.E.M. albums. Our next episode is out on Monday April 7th!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

The Big Mates take a brief pause to discuss ratings, rankings, audience demands, and the career of R.E.M. from 1997 - 2011.Adam, Steve, and Lucas talk about their feelings so far on the band, having now covered the five records that encompass the second half of their career at Warner Bros. They place each album previously covered into the context of this era, they return to each album with more experienced ears, and they talk about how they feel about them now.They chat context, albums, preconceptions, expectations, and much more before offering up their individual Top 10 R.E.M. (1997 - 2011) songs. These have been compiled into our second "Best Of R.E.M." compilation, available (alongside previous Best Ofs) here: https://bit.ly/3xVZAVfWhat makes it into the Top 10s? What's our favourite album so far? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?  Our next episode is out next Monday March 31st!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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!On this week's show we mentioned Speak!Learn more at www.speaklanguageacademy.com and Use code TRAVEL10 to save 10% on your first  traveler’s prep course.Support our show when starting your own podcast!By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

The Big Mates discuss addictive games, compilations, goodbyes, and the last few months of R.E.M.Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by looking at how the band ended their long and storied career.Starting with a quick commentary, they watch the final full-band performance from R.E.M. in Hansa Studios, Berlin and then discuss how the band announced that they would be calling it a day. They then examine the band's career-spanning compilation, Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage and the 3 new songs that accompanied it, before taking a look at what each band member has been up to since the disbandment, and then THAT performance in 2024.How did the band leave things? What did they go on to do? Will they every reform for a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out on Monday March 24th!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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!On this week's show we mentioned Speak!Learn more at www.speaklanguageacademy.com and Use code TRAVEL10 to save 10% on your first  traveler’s prep course.Support our show when starting your own podcast!By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Scott McCaughey, a prolific songwriter known for his 17 years with R.E.M., shares his unique journey in the band, highlighting his long collaboration with Peter Buck. He reflects on joining at the band's peak, the thrill of stadium tours, and the creative processes behind iconic albums like New Adventures in Hi-Fi and Accelerate. Scott also discusses his work with The Minus 5, challenges he faced in his music career, and the emotional experience of performing at recent R.E.M. tribute shows.

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 music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.They continue with their track-by-track analysis of the album and explore their feelings on each song and how they contribute to the whole record. They then look at how Collapse Into Now was received by critics and fans at the time of release and how those views may have changed now that we know it was the band's final album. What will we make of the album? Did the band stick the landing of their career? How much do the band love unlikely animals going up forms of stairs? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out on Monday March 10th!Join the conversation on:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whatismusicpod.bsky.socialThreads: https://www.threads.net/@whatismusicpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpodE-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.comGet 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 our album club 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show