

What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About Arctic Monkeys
Adam Scott Glasspool, Steve Murphy, Lucas Way
A podcast that dives deep into discographies - one artist per season. Hosts Adam, Steve, and Lucas go album by album, track by track, exploring how context shapes our experience of music, why fans become obsessed, and what music really is. With three hosts coming from wildly different levels of musical knowledge, expect sharp analysis, wild tangents, hot takes, and more information about the artists (and the hosts) than you ever asked for. Currently exploring the discography of Arctic Monkeys. Previous seasons featured Manic Street Preachers, Muse, Billie Eilish, Radiohead, Lauryn Hill, and R.E.M.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 26, 2024 • 28min
BREAKING NEWS: The Smile - Wall of Eyes
BONG. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY NEWS BROADCAST. The Big Mates discuss the newly released album Wall of Eyes by Radiohead spin-off band, The Smile. They give their first impressions and pick some standout tracks.Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Jan 22, 2024 • 1h 19min
R.E.M. Live at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, June 1984 Commentary
The Big Mates provide insightful and inspiring audio commentary for R.E.M. Live at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, in June 1984.Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live performance (and a whole host of other, completely unrelated things) as broadcast on MTV. It was filmed as part of a series on rock influences - this one focusing on folk rock. It features special guest appearances and R.E.M. preview some new material!Head to YouTube to watch along:https://youtu.be/JulR2TPAUfA?si=MuAJHLC3wUgzGSCvOr don't - the episode works fine either way!Our next episode comes out Monday January 29th and we'll be talking about the making of Murmur and Reckoning with producer Don Dixon!Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Jan 15, 2024 • 1h 34min
Reckoning (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss time travel, big diving, line dancing, and Reckoning by R.E.M.Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by continuing and concluding their track-by-track analysis on the band's second album, released in 1984. They talk about R.E.M. going "full country," recording songs as in-jokes, and provide some more thrilling entries into the Water Watch series, before figuring out what they think of the album as a whole, how it was received at the time, and the legacy it holds in today's musical landscape.They also 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.How does Reckoning stack up against the debut? What kind of font does Michael Stipe sing in? Could our Dads physically lift us? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out on Monday January 22nd and will see us provide insightful commentary for R.E.M. live at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic on June 9th 1984.Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 52min
Reckoning (Pt. 1)
The Big Mates discuss foot injuries, binaural recording, the joy of knowing Jesus, and Reckoning by R.E.M.Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their track-by-track analysis on the band's second album, released in 1984. 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 varying estimates of studio time, how the songs are structured, and they try to again define what it is that Adam likes about the band. They also piece together the meanings of the songs, discuss whether or not they matter within the context of the whole record, and make comparisons to Murmur.Do the band avoid "difficult second album syndrome?" What does betwixt mean? Did you mean barber coat? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out on Monday January 15th and will conclude our track-by-track analysis of Reckoning.Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Dec 18, 2023 • 1h 55min
Another Christmas Episode
The Big Mates get festive.Join us for another Christmas of mostly the same stuff as the previous ones. Are you ready for Christmas? What's your favourite Christmas? What are your favourite Christmas songs? Is Die Hard having a Christmas movies?It's all here, and it's all the same! Some games, a round of guess the intro, and some mentions of the holiday season!We'll be having a little break over the holiday period - we return on Monday January 8th, and we'll begin our deep-dive into the second R.E.M. album, Reckoning!Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Dec 11, 2023 • 1h 27min
Murmur (Pt. 3)
The Big Mates discuss head shapes, nostalgia, the sequel to Gladiator, and Murmur by R.E.M.Adam, Steve, and Lucas conclude their track-by-track analysis on R.E.M.'s debut album, released in 1983. 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 the events surrounding the album's release, the critical reaction of the time, and how we view the legacy of a record called "one of the greatest debut albums of all time" in today's musical landscape.How does the album work as a whole? How does it come across in modern times? What is 'twee'? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is our Xmas Special, out on Monday December 18th!Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Dec 4, 2023 • 1h 29min
Murmur (Pt. 2)
The Big Mates discuss niche British TV theme tunes, inherent emotion, time signatures, and Murmur by R.E.M.Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their track-by-track analysis on R.E.M.'s debut album, released in 1983. 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 indecipherable lyrics, late evening football games, nostalgia, and the mechanics of songwriting.What is a Moral Kiosk? Does Talk About the Passion sound like Hans Zimmer? What crimes are good? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?Our next episode is out on Monday December 11th and will conclude our track-by-track analysis of Murmur.Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Our Sponsor this week is Unfold. Find out more at www.cristinabonnet.comCheck out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Nov 27, 2023 • 1h 36min
Murmur (Pt. 1)
The podcast delves into the writing and recording process of R.E.M.'s debut album, 'Murmur,' and its place in the band's discography. They discuss how the band found their producers, their decision to sound different, and the legacy of Radio Free Europe. The hosts share their thoughts on the album as a whole, the first few tracks, and the evolution from their EP. They also touch on deciphering the album's mysterious lyrics and the impact of vinyl albums.

Nov 20, 2023 • 1h 5min
R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground 1982 Commentary
The Big Mates provide casual and tangential audio commentary for R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground 1982.Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live performance (and a whole host of other, completely unrelated things) as broadcast on TV. Shot on just two cameras and only recently remastered, the show offers an interesting glimpse into the early days of the band, performing here before they'd even released an album!Head to YouTube to watch along:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sBVX9kRmBEOr don't - the episode works fine either way!Our next episode comes out Monday November 27th and sees us begin our deep dive into Murmur, the debut album from R.E.M.!Join the conversation on:Twitter: https://twitter.com/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 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=780379Check out our merch!https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.comDonate to our podcast!https://ko-fi.com/whatismusichttp://whatismusic.buzzsprout.com/Support the show

Nov 13, 2023 • 2h 31min
Chronic Town
The podcast explores the origins of rock music, the emergence of the Athens music scene, and the recording process of R.E.M.'s debut EP 'Chronic Town'. They discuss the contrast in songs, the importance of lyrics, and analyze R.E.M.'s track 'Stumble'. Join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram, and Patreon.


