Sherman & Ski - Talk You Into It

Imagine a world...a world without New Order. Or Mariah Carey. Or Wu-Tang Clan. Or Iron Maiden. Or P!nk. or (big gasp!) INXS. THE HORROR. Well, all of these phenomenal artists, AND MORE, are either finally or once again nominated for music's highest career honor...the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And, as is the Sherman and Ski custom, we've got some capital O-pinions. When the nominations dropped this week, quite literally so did our jaws as this grouping is one of the most diverse and PACKED set of artists they've ever thrown together. Neither of us think there's any complete shoo-ins, and neither of us had ever realized that Angry Man legend PHIL COLLINS wasn't already inducted as a solo artist. (Billy, they Lost His Number?). So sit back, pour yourself a tall one and a short one, and listen as Sherman and Ski debate the new nominees. Also, hear Sherman enter the all time INXS rant, out of the sheer joy of his favorite band finally receiving industry recognition. It's What You Need. Also, people said we'd never get over our Phil Collins obsession, but take a look at us now. ENJOY and remember, the two of us are usually right about things, so it's past time for Billy Idol to make it in...Staaaaaart agaaaaaain! Ow.

Welcome back to Sherman and Ski: Talk You Into It. One of the most iconic pop acts from the mid 90's through the mid aughts - The Cardigans flew into our collective lives on a sugary magic carpet of melodies with the one-in-a-million superhit Lovefool. But, as customary here at this pod, we are diving WAAAAY deeper, and so should you! These Nordic pop magicians weaved an incredible sound through all of their albums, Life, First Band on the Moon, Gran Turismo, Super Extra Gravity...and all with a mysterious, dark, death metal underpinnings - almost predictable coming from Sweden. Blending influences from the Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach, and yes, Black Sabbath - The Cardigans were a true group of musicians with a deceptive malleability of their sound. They are true masters of the earworm, with a signature vocalist in the form of Nina Persson - it's stunning that they don't have a greater presence in the American music culture. Also, do NOT ever underestimate their covers of both Ozzy Osbourne AND the Talking Heads...you KNOW Sherman and Ski are talking about it here. ..this pod is a must listen for 90's fans and alt-rock historians, we went deep into the catalog on this one! Rise & shine, folks.

Happy Memorial Day weekend folks…Sherman and Ski are BACK baby.  We’ve got a batch of fresh new episodes locked and loaded and ready to go…so what better way to kick off summer than to listen to our truly HOT and at least half incorrect takes on this year’s inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Now, as our loyal listeners know, this is a frequent topic, so back in the dead of winter when the nominees were released, Ski and I huddled up and took a stab at the impossible – guessing what this clandestine body of voters might decide.  So three weeks ago, the white puff of smoke happened and the world got 7 new members ushered in, plus a new pope.  Take a listen to see just how wrong we both were in Feburary, even though, as always, we had the right takes REGARDLESS of the actual outcome.  Ski went 2 for 6 on his picks, and Sherman did slightly better at 3 for 6, and of course neither of us knew they would back door admit Salt n Pepa (LONG OVERDUE).   Look for new episodes weekly-ish as well, so resubscribe if you’ve missed us!! (Recorded Feb 2025). WE MISSED YOU ALL!!

Have you been to the land Down Under? Us either, but that doesn't mean we are scared to flip hemispheres. This episode of Sherman and Ski lauds the songwriting and pop sensibility of lead singer Colin Hay, and the whole Aussie gang. Men At Work were clearly a new wave phenomenon, but incorporate a wide variety of instruments, EXTREMELY high melodic notes, and tons of ska/reggae influence which tends to get overlooked. In terms of albums, Business As Usual went supernova of course (Best New Artist Grammy), but both Sherman and Ski agree that Cargo is the underappreciated gem. They streaked like a comet across the outback, then the States, and of course, Ski digs deep into the catalog for his picks. Sherman throws in a fun personal interaction with Mr. Hay (who is hilarious, btw) backstage at Bonnaroo one year, and we all climb back into the cassette tape time capsule. It's beyond time to reassess Men At Work. Crikey!

Just when you think that we wouldn’t dare do it, we invite you to KEEP IT COMIN’ LOVE - Sherman and Ski are vouching for disco (and Latin FUNK) superstars and underrated heroes, KC and THE SUNSHINE BAND. Literally, there are nothing but hits from Miami native Harry Wayne Casey. In fact, a person can drive from Washington DC to Carlisle PA, and you are NOT out of hits, not by a longshot. Sherman and Ski DO get to a couple of extremely deep cuts from the catalog, specifically from their earlier funk records which has some serious bass and horn action.

Ski reminds us that there’s not too much of the string section of traditional disco.  However, Sherman informs us that there is plenty of Booty and Boogie references that remain. Sherman can’t get enough of their fourth album, the oddly titled KC & The Sunshine Band Part III, which is jam-packed with earworms and rump-shakers. Ski pulls from the stellar 1974 debut album Do It Good, and boy is Ski ready to party and Sound Your Funky Horn. Sherman is floored that Please Don’t Go was originally penned by KC as he only knows the KWS 90’s club cover, but of course Ski knew it. We both DO agree that the premium KC material leans towards the earliest work, and one should probably avoid the 2000’s album Yummy, with a bizarre Peter Gabriel cover…yeah, let’s stick with the Latin funk and disco stuff. We also reconnect briefly on the Rock & Roll HOF class of 2022, and see how we did…have a listen!

Happy New Year!! Sherman and Ski are BACK from a small hiatus to bring you some fresh NINETIES era content - we are talking you into another listen of the legendary Luscious Jackson. Founded by Jill Cunniff, Gabby Glaser, Vivian Trimble and joined by ex-Beastie Boys original drummer Kate Schellenbach, this incredible foursome produced some of the most unique sounds of the early to mid 90's. Best known for their 1996 chart hit, the mega-catchy track "Naked Eye", it's hard to overstate how overlooked their catalog has wound up, as they were true alt-rock pioneers with a true blend of hip hop rhythms, speak singing, harmonies, synth flavors...just damn fine work, really.

As usual, Ski discovered this record during his year in Bologna, and reminds us of their later catalogue which is a kids record, while Sherman stumps about the In Search of Manny EP and the debut record Natural Ingredients, and realizes that he may enjoy their…jazz influences? But let’s just say the deep dive we go into is absolutely worth the plunge…as Luscious Jackson’s entire oeuvre has been criminally overlooked. Thanks for jumping back on board with Sherman & Ski!