We confessed again!
Musically!!
That's right, our critically-unacclaimed episode type, Musical Confessions, is getting another go-round. For those who didn't catch the first one from back in July of 2025, let me paint the scene for you: each of us poop-for-brains hosts went around and told a music-y thing. A statement, a story... anything. The rub: it may or may not have been true. It was up to the other two hosts to suss out the lies and hitch their wagons to the truths.
Same deal again, but with another batch from Dan, J, and Zack. Are we telling the truth? Are we full of the aforementioned poop?
I'm not tellin'. You gotta listen. Sorry.
And once you listen, let us know what you think about our, uhhh, things. How, you wonder? Observe:
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Next week: Ones. Lots of ones. Three of them, at least. Is that "lots"? I dunno, I just write the things. And you just Keep. Kicking. Ass.

BOO!!!!
Did I sc-oh heck, it's November now. Plus we did that same thing last week. Going to the well too many times? Can't be us. I digress.
This is the Unsung, where we talk about folks that don't typically get talked about. We discuss influential people in the music industry whose popularity and acknowledgement doesn't always match their accomplishments and contributions. And Maestro David Kyle is no exception.
To be faiiiiiir, there's not necessarily a Maestro-ing board. There's no governing body, no application to fill out, no professional development or continuing education credits to maintain your Maestro certification. It's a pretty sweet deal.
And, in this case, it's a fitting title, considering what David Kyle did as a vocal instructor for many uniquely talented - and just downright unique - artists. We wove our way through a number of them, across different genres and styles, but all sharing the distinction of being awesome - and all sharing the disctinction of working directly with Kyle.
But don't take our word for it! Take a listen to the ep instead, and let us know how you feel about the vocalists we mentioned - or if you have other examples of vocal coaches or instructors helping artists reach the next level. Hitting us up is simple! Observe:
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Next week: I'm gonna level with you: not sure. That's another straight copy from last week, but it fits this time too. We'll figure somethingout, like we always do. Until then, Keep. Kicking. Ass.

BOO!!!!
Did I scare ya? I don't need to ask, of course I didn't. I'm sorry for wasting your time trying to tie this review to a nearby holiday. It was a mistake, and I regret the error.
You know what I DON'T regret? These October reviews. That's not to say that things was great though. It was a solid, if mostly unimpressive, month on the album front. And the newly-charting singles were nearly all from one album. You know the one.*
We got one more month of reviews for the year, and then we shelve this particular feature until we cover January 2026 reviews. But fear not! There are plenty of other features to tide you over in the meantime.
But we still need to hear from you. How was your October? What music - new or old - was in your ears this month? Let us know in all the usual ways:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fairlykickass.bsky.social
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/
Next week: I'm gonna level with you: not sure. We have a few options in front of us, and I'm not sure which one we'll go with. But you'll be among the first to know, as long as you follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
And no matter what nonsense we come out with, we're still gonna need every one of you to Keep. Kicking. Ass.

Over 75 million record sales worldwide.
32 total awards spread out across the biggest of 'em all in the UK - the Brit awards - as well as yearlies handed out on behalf of UK music magazines NME and Q.
10 successful tours, spanning the world over several times - including tour dates every year between 1994 and 2009 (with the execptions of 2004 and 2007).
Responsible for the first billion-stream song on Spotify from the 1990s - a song that still remains in the list of 100 most streamed songs of all time on the platform.
A nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which didn't come through this year, but I doubt it'll be long before it does.
With all those accolades, there's still one thing that Manchester's finest, Oasis, didn't have... and that's a Fairly KickAss episode.
...until now.
We decided to do a One Song for the band, to find the best song in a seven-album discography. Guest host to the stars, Lisa, was kind enough to grace us with her presence as well. As the only true Oasis fan of the lot of us, she brought some awesome perspective, and of course a great song choice.
But was her choice the best? What about the other three jerks? Let us know what you think in all the usual ways:
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: The penultimate monthly review of 2025. The last one before the start of the holiday season. Get your shopping done early, people!
I would ask y'all to buy some KickAss gifts for the people that you love and care for... but that's a given, because they're coming from all of you. You Keep. Kicking. Ass, and your gifts do too. <3

I'm keeping this description short, because no matter how many words, or how big of language I use, I could never be as grandiose and over-the-top as hair metal is. It was a huge sound, made by huge personas, and delivered to huge audiences.
We may be a few decades removed here in 2025, but the music still rings true - and we give it the ol' Mt. Rushmore treatment.
It was one of the more interesting podcast results for one of these dealios, based on the songs we all picked.
But jeez Jouise I'm getting ahead of myself! I said short, and short it is. As always, let us know what you thought, and whether we missed a song - or even an entire artist - here:
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: A little necessary business to tidy up, as we move closer to the 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Which is all well and good, because we know who the real Hall of Famers are. (spoiler: it's y'all) And as HoFers, you know damn well that you gotta Keep. Kicking. Ass.

So we did a Billboard Rerank episode, where we reranked the Billboard End-of-Year chart to be more accurate to what is objectively correct. Because we know these things.
We did 1990. Holy moly, 1990 was a year. Bangers, ballads, unexpected tracks from all genres. It truly was the sort of crossroads for the end of the 1980s, and what would come years later in the 90s.
You know a lot of these songs, and perhaps there are some new favorites on this list? Only one way to find out.
Well, two ways, I suppose. You could listen to the list yourself, or you could just ask us! I'm not sure how we can tell you what your new favorites are, but we'll try! And if we can't do that, then we'll send you a funny gif that we may or may not have lifted from Reddit.
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: We goodmouth a band that has been badmouthed throughout the years. We'll probably also badmouth them a bit. That's just how this thing goes.
We would never badmouth you though, listeners! Because you all Keep. Kicking. Ass.

Oh hey! It's a little something I like to call "The Fairly KickAss Podcast". Ever heard of it?
And to that end, have you ever heard of Max Martin?
You may not realize that you are already acutely familiar of him, at least through his songwriting and production work.
Early 2000s darlings like The Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and Bon Jovi? Check. Big artists of today, like Ariana Grande, Katy Perry, Coldplay, The Weeknd, and Lisa of Blackpink? Double-check. Most recently worked on Taylor Swift's latest full-length, The Life of a Showgirl.
This episode is an Unsung episode, in which we talk about those influential folks in the music industry that you may not be familiar with, and I'd say that Max qualifies. From his upbringing in Stockholm County, Sweden, to his initial dabblings in the music industry, I (Zack - your Unsung host for this ep!) give all y'all the skinny.
This is also a Rewind episode that we pulled out of the ol' Vault, and in that brief time - from March of 2023 to now - Martin has added three more Billboard #1 singles to his already-ridiculous list of 25, bringing the sum total to 28. Paul McCartney has written 32. John Lennon has written 26. That's your top three.
Top three all time, of everyone! Safe to say, Max knows his way around a hit song, and I'm stoked to be able to bring his particular brand of songwriting magic to all of you. Again, as it were.
As always, let us know what you think! Which #1 hits that Max Martin wrote are your favorites? Which artists that he worked with do you also vibe with? Let us know in all the usual ways:
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: We talk about the dawn of a new decade! Albeit a decade that was new like 35 years ago.
You know what's NOT new? You. Kicking. Ass. That's been happening for a long while now. I lost track of how long, that's how long it's been.

It's the "30 Days" month! You know the rhyme. You've recited the rhyme to yourself, perhaps during the month of September. Does it have anything to do with music?
Does it ever?
As usual, I digress. It's best albums. It's newly-charting singles. It's a LOT of Sabrina Carpenter. It's the hand that was dealt, as most of her most recent album, Man's Best Friend, charted. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I guess you'll have to listen to find out! (it was a pretty good album, I'll give you that breadcrumb.)
Bread to the side, we always want to hear from you. Was it a good month of listening for you? Hell, what were you listening to full stop - even if it wasn't new? Let us know in all the usual ways:
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: Do you want it that way? This guy did. We talk about one of the most prolific songwriters of the... well, ever.
You, listener, are ALSO prolific! Not just because You. Kick. Ass... but it certainly helps.

Oh heck, the game is on! I better make this quick.
Which game, you ask? Any of them! Take your pick. With so many beloved sports, that have been around for so long, fandom is a time-honored tradition. And a time-honored sort of sub-tradition is that of the tailgate. The literal meaning evokes imagery of the open tailgate of a pickup truck, playing the part of buffet table much better than anything else you might find at a random parking lot.
Nowadays, it's a whole production - actual tables, along with all manner of cooking devices, cooling devices (for food and person), and maybe a TV or a radio to keep up with pre-game festivities. The concept is most commonly associated with American football, but could apply to any sport in the same way.
But, regardless of the sport, or the spread, there's one thing I didn't mention: music. It's as integral to a tailgate as it is to any gathering. And you know us - if music is involved, we're involved. (New motto?!?)
We get in, talk about our Top 5 tailgating jams, and get out. All three of us approached the assignment in vastly different ways. You're shocked, I know. That is your shocked face.
But how would you have approached it, Dear Listener? Would you have gone with one of our paths, but using a different list? Or would you have thought up completely different criteria? Let us know what you thought in the usual ways:
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: Do you remember? Because we don't. September has been a BLUR, but we gotta talk about it, and we hope you listen to that episode next week! And this episode this week! And previous episodes in prev-look, just listen to all of 'em. They're all good.
You know what else is good? When you Keep. Kicking. Ass, that's what.

To say that Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential songwriters, singers, and guitarists in the history of modern music is not hyperbolic. In fact, it's among the most truthful and least BS-based things we've said on this show.
I believe we've said this about others before, but it applies here as well: Joni Mitchell recorded standards, sure, but she herself IS a standard. Legend. 1 of 1. Folk music was not nearly the same prior to her first album, 1968's Song to a Seagull, and it was forever changed throughout her run of 19 studio albums (and one day growing to 20, hopefully). She has left an indelible mark on the face of music.
And, as we tend to do 'round these parts, we celebrated her. Since this is a Coverlutions episode, you know that we talked about one of her songs. Interestingly, this song was never a single - in fact, it was the B-side to a different song from its album, being California off of 1971's Blue.
But that didn't stop scores and scores of people from covering the song over the past 50+ years. And for good reason: A Case of You is absolutely magnificent. It's subtle, it's understated, it's meaningful, and it's beautiful.
As for the episode, we came equipped with eight different covers, ready to do battle with the other hosts. We went in a round, sharing our versions with each other; any overlaps would be crossed out. Whoever had songs left at the end won nothing, in typical FKA fashion. It was neat.
As always though, we need you to tell us what you thought. Was it actually neat? Was there a version that we didn't cover that you liked better than what we presented? Let us know in all the usual ways:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fairlykickass.bsky.social
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Website (for Ride-Along Playlists): https://fairlykickass.com/

Next week: hang out in the parking lot of your favorite team, fire up your portable grill, and put on these songs before the big game. It's tailgating songs. I kinda gave that one away. That's my bad. That's on me.
You know what you should give away? Ass kickings. Because you should Keep. Kicking. Ass.