The Big Mates discuss file naming conventions, Role Models, trickle-down economics, and Document by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their analysis of the band's fifth studio album, released in 1987. 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 band used the skills they learned on the previous album, the search for a more muscular sound, and the beginnings of their relationship with a new producer.

They also tackle the meaning of the album's title, what exactly features on the album's artwork, and they find the time to reflect on what they have learned about R.E.M.'s sound so far, and explore the political landscape of the US in the 1980s.

How does all of that fit into Document? Is it heavy metal? Who is David Strathairn? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday April 15th and will continue and conclude our analysis of Document.

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The Big Mates discuss running, arranging the arrangements of a meeting, paste, and go to see The Smile live at the Brighton Centre.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas converge in Brighton in order to experience a live show by Radiohead sidproject, The Smile. They discuss their expectations, live business, and both their initial and considered reactions to the performance.

What do they play? What are the vibes? Will Lucas even make it? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out next Monday April 8th, and will see us return to R.E.M. with a deep-dive into their fifth album, Document!

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!

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The Big Mates discuss liner notes, The Velvet Underground, being nice, and Dead Letter Office by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by exploring the collection of b-sides they released in 1987. They talk about where each track came from, 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 collection in general, whether b-sides should be taken seriously, and whether or not R.E.M. are the band to do that! They get to explore a range of moods along the way, from soft country, to heavy metal pastiche, to classic rock covers, and beyond... a must!

Why is this some people's favourite R.E.M. album? How can you listen to this podcast being recorded live? How do you surf the web? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday April 1st and will be a report from The Smile Live in Brighton!

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!

Check out the Skwiggo album here:
https://skwiggo.bandcamp.com/album/skwiggo-i

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The Big Mates provide exciting and tangential audio commentary for a selection of R.E.M. clips ranging from 1982 to 1986.

Confronted with very little  good footage of the Pageantry tour, Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss a range of clips, from news reports, live performances, interviews, and promos from across the band's career so far! There's also some grainy footage of their 1986 tour!

Head to YouTube to watch along:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIhQdLMeupWmY_bUf_UaSqGjRXo_hbCZh&si=Fu_QWKlQx-fJNI14
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!

Our next episode comes out Monday March 25th and will see us explore the b-sides collection, Dead Letter Office!

Join the conversation on:
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E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!
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The Big Mates discuss Godzilla, a car crash, The Lion King, and Lifes Rich Pageant by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by finishing up their track-by-track analysis of the band's fourth studio album, released in 1986. 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 bring the track-by-track to a close, exploring the meaning of the songs, the varying energies across the album, and talk about what does and does not constitute a "hidden track." They sum up their thoughts on the album, give scores, and discuss how it was received when it came.

They also find time to discuss the band's 1986 Pageantry Tour, what that was like, and whether or not the album predicted grunge in some ways.

How do we feel about the album? Does it sound like R.E.M.? What is a flam? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday March 18th and will see us offering some audio commentary on a selection of clips from across R.E.M.'s career.

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!

Check out the Skwiggo album here:
https://skwiggo.bandcamp.com/album/skwiggo-i

Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379

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The Big Mates discuss bedtime routines, contact lenses, gravity, and Lifes Rich Pageant 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 of the band's fourth studio album, released in 1986. 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 finally get stuck into the songs themselves, dissecting each one in turn, examining the intention behind them, what inspired the writing, and how they fit into the album as a whole.

What does this album sound like? How does a river catch on fire? What's the difference between dinner and supper? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday March 11th and will conclude our analysis of Lifes Rich Pageant.

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!

Check out the Skwiggo album here:
https://skwiggo.bandcamp.com/album/skwiggo-i

Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379

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The Big Mates discuss BIG NEWS, Band of Brothers, animals, and Lifes Rich Pageant by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by starting their analysis of the band's fourth studio album, released in 1986. 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 band changed their process again for the recording of this album, and how much of that was a reaction to their previous record. They explore the new songwriting technniques, the band's new way of working in the studio, and the relationship they formed with a new producer, before digging into the form, artwork, and themes of the album itself.

They also spend some time looking at the wider musical landscape of the mid-80s, the best selling albums of the time, and where R.E.M. fit into it all!

How did R.E.M. fit into the musical tendencies of the 80s? How many tracks are on the album? Is a bison the same thing as a buffalo? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday March 4th and will continue our analysis of Lifes Rich Pageant.

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!

Check out the Skwiggo album here:
https://skwiggo.bandcamp.com/album/skwiggo-i

Support our show when starting your own podcast!
By signing up to Buzzsprout with this link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=780379

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The Big Mates provide lively and intellectual audio commentary for R.E.M. Live on Rockpalast in 1985.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live performance (and a whole host of other, completely unrelated things) as broadcast on German TV.  They also dig into their thoughts surrounding R.E.M. this far into the season. A must!

Head to YouTube to watch along:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11GYpY1KEcI
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!

Our next episode comes out Monday February 26th and we'll begin our deep dive into Lifes Rich Pageant!

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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=780379

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Support the show

The Big Mates discuss the U.S. civil war, Foo Fighters, aliens, and Fables of the Reconstruction 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 third studio album, released in 1985. 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 go track-by-track on the second side of the album, before wrapping up their thoughts on the record and discussing where it fits into the band's discography so far.

They also discuss the concept of "normal music," and the difference between surface level analysis and critical depth. They then look at how the album was received at the time of release, and how that perception may have changed in the decades that have followed.

What do we make of the album? What did R.E.M. make of the album? Is the album normal or weird? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday February 19th and will feature important commentary for a show on the Reconstruction tour.

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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!
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What The Hell Is My Job? Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5GGlApUDmrjVyD1vZ5EqgN?si=1_my1Y2MR-yNN2azkLjejA

Support the show

The Big Mates discuss Blink-182, Nick Drake, One Direction, and Fables of the Reconstruction 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 third studio album, released in 1985. 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 band changed their process for the recording of this album, from using a studio far from home, in a different climate, to changing their collaborators, and even changing how they write songs.

They also discuss the place that Fables has in the band's overarching discography, the deliberately confusing artwork, the tracklisting, the liner notes, and what the album may or may not be called!

How did the band face a British winter? What's the title of this album? Is the album weird? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday February 12th and will conclude our track-by-track analysis of Fables of the Reconstruction.

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: [email protected]

Get 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=780379

Check out our merch!
https://whatismusicpod.redbubble.com
Donate to our podcast!
https://ko-fi.com/whatismusic

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Support the show