Pod Sounds

Step aside Netflix, we’ve got the latest true crime doc: the Vampire of Düsseldorf. Fritz Lang tells the story in his movie M (1931), then Newman retells it with a fascist twist. Not exactly suggested bedtime listening. Also: murder ballads in the Newman catalogue, and Marianne Faithfull (because everything can be improved by adding Marianne Faithfull).

(CW: mention of CSA and murder, discussion of Nazism)

Who says “jolly” or “coppers”? Fannee Doolee does!! #iykyk. Cecilia gives a brief history of Taylor Swift, Gil talks (more) about printed lyrics and how they can differ from sung ones, there’s a lot of perspective-examining and copaganda-diagnosing…and it all somehow relates back to our artist. Recommended viewing: Jon Ronson’s special I AM, UNFORTUNATELY, RANDY NEWMAN. Recommended reading: Cynthia Lennon’s memoir JOHN.

The title might remind Cecilia of a painting, but it’s one of those that look different to each viewer. Also we can’t say how many people are in it or how old they are. But other than that, a painting for sure. We talk nautical metaphors, funereal rituals, and (at last) TOY STORY. Join us for a musical-theatre ballad like no other. Plus: Lou Reed, Samuel Barber, and the late great Stephen Sondheim.

Sitcom themes! Slide guitars! What is a blackjack, and should you carry one just in case? We’re back to discuss our favorite armed robbers who have almost made it to the top (of the bottom). All to prove that the family that does crime together stays together, in pop music and on 30 ROCK. Honorable mentions: Jeff Lynne’s producer’s touch, Dostoevsky’s take on moral superiority, and Cruella de Vil’s choice of henchmen.

We’re just two-bit podcasters, that’s all we’ll ever be. Grammys trivia, Rolling Stone cover photos, gatefold vinyl sleeves, under what circumstances one might fabricate family members, how this song would look as an episode of LAW & ORDER…the list goes on. Also discussed: Sydney Greenstreet, THE OUTSIDERS, “Hills Like White Elephants,” and John Denver again.

Cecilia fills us in on the difference between sarcastic and sardonic. We hear about height double standards, attempts to ban the song from radio, the world’s new tallest woman, a longtime alliance between Newman and producer Lenny Waronker, ice cream sandwich phones, and Gil’s infamous Reaction of the Suits. Plus: John Denver, Klaus Voormann, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ziggy Stardust (the character and the album)—but not all at once.

Welcome to Volume 2, where we’re breaking down an underrated album by an underrated artist: Randy Newman’s LITTLE CRIMINALS (1977)! We talk about the album’s place in Newman’s catalogue—LAND OF DREAMS, TROUBLE IN PARADISE, FAUST, etc.—the importance of an singer’s attitude toward their lyrics, and dramatic monologue in literature and song. Honorable mentions: parodying Paul Simon and ELO, the adventures of ultimate collaborator Van Dyke Parks, and the time James Taylor played God.

(CW: mention of sexual assault ~29:00)

Cecilia’s essay on “Four Eyes”: https://atticusreview.org/four-eyes/

Gil’s Newman-adjacent university stuff: https://www2.ccsu.edu/faculty/Gigliotti?p=7

Oh you thought we were gonna move straight on to season 2? Not when “God Only Knows” has jumped up FOURTEEN SPOTS in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time!!! We examine the reshuffled list and you can bet we’ve got opinions.

Hang on to your EGOT! This was originally a goat joke but then I decided Brian probably deserves an EGOT and unfortunately these puns are who I am. We do a bit of fact-checking, talk about the animals on the album cover (and in the studio?) as well as the font, and catch up with the itinerant Tony Asher. And of course it wouldn’t be a Beach Boys podcast without John Stamos. Also mentioned: CATS DON’T DANCE, JULIE & JULIA, and shouting out cities in songs. Thanks for tuning in to season 1!

Does any other song give you excitations? We thought not. Gil breaks out the Grammy stats, Cecilia talks about the blues, and the cellos never stop moving. There’s a reason a track that wasn’t finished in time for the album has eclipsed it in popularity. Who even cares about words? Plus: Arlo Guthrie, Anita Kerr, and whether you can love somebody strictly judging by the vibes they exude. *distant theremin noises*