Mental Platypus

Jason couldn't rent YOU HURT MY FEELINGS, so we're discussing our Barbenheimer takes instead. Enjoy! Jason recommends: "Bad Idea Right?" (single by Olivia Rodrigo) Jared recommends: THE BALLAD OF DARREN (album by Blur) Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Follow us on Letterboxd! ⁠⁠Jason⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Jared⁠⁠

This is it, the final episode in our miniseries on the extra-WILCO-lar career of Jeff Tweedy. We're discussing the quite excellent solo album, LOVE IS THE KING. Jason recommends: FIRST TAKE (album by Roberta Flack) Jared recommends: IN TREATMENT (TV Series) Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Follow us on Letterboxd! ⁠Jason⁠ | ⁠Jared⁠

It's the penultimate episode of our miniseries on Jeff Tweedy! We've gotten warm, now it's time to get WARMER! Jason recommends: WHAM! (Netflix documentary on the band of the same name) Jared recommends: PAST LIVES (film, written/directed by Celine Song) Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Follow us on Letterboxd! Jason | Jared

We are in the home stretch of our ongoing series discussing Jeff Tweedy's extra-WILCO-lar activities. This time, we're discussing the seasonally appropriate/seasonal understatement, 2018's WARM. Follow us on Letterboxd! Jason: https://letterboxd.com/rulerboy/ Jared: https://letterboxd.com/LtdEngagement/

We're diving back into the Tweedy-verse with 2017's acoustic album, TOGETHER AT LAST - which Jason didn't listen to, because he thought we were covering WARM, but he was very much wrong, that's the next episode. Jared really likes this album a lot, hopes Tweedy continues the series, and thinks you should go check it out. Also discussed: THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, Paul Simon, and more. Jason recommends SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE and ER Season 3 Jared recommends the new Jenny Lewis album, JOY'ALL ("Puppy and a Truck" - song of the summer!) Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Follow us on Letterboxd Jason: https://letterboxd.com/rulerboy/ Jared: https://letterboxd.com/LtdEngagement/

It's summer, so it's time for a little break from our regularly scheduled programming. This week, instead of getting Tweedy with it, it's a pop culture goulash. Jason and Jared talk ER, Weeds, vintage Conan (O'Brien, not the barbarian), the new Sparks album, and more. Both hosts highly recommend Sparks' THE GIRL IS CRYING IN HER LATTE Jason recommends THE FOOL (album by Adanowsky) Jared recommends the Doughboys episode "Domino's 3 Loaded Tots" Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Follow us on Letterboxd Jason: https://letterboxd.com/rulerboy/ Jared: https://letterboxd.com/LtdEngagement/

Take 3!!! After some misfires that shall never see the light of day, Jason and Jared talk Finns, Tweedy's, nepotism, and more. That's right, we're talking the 2014 Jeff and Spencer Tweedy album (aka, Tweedy), SUKIERAE. Recommendations: Jason: POKER FACE (TV series, Peacock) Jared: "The Narcissist" (Single from Blur's forthcoming album, THE BALLAD OF DARREN) Find us on Lettrbxd: Jared: LtdEngagement Jason: rulerboy

This is it - we've reached the last of the Jeff Tweedy side-projects (the remaining albums in this series are all Tweedy solo/solo-ish), and it's the best one! THE SUN CAME OUT is the result of what happens when New Zealand pop music icon Neil Finn (Crowded House/Split Enz) gathers together 20 musicians at his studio in Auckland to record an album over 20 days, and what a result! Plus, Jared gives his hot take on THIS IS 40, and we introduce a possible podcast goldmine, John Lith-now: The John Lithgow Career Retrospective. Recommendations: Jared - THE ASK (a novel by Sam Lipsyte) Jason - Haley Heynderickx, Y La Bamba, and Begonia (here's the link to Jason's column in Phoenix Magazine that Jared didn't read) No social media, so it'd be great if you help the show by rating, reviewing, and recommending - cheers!

AKA, the Tuna Fish Sandwich/Wrap episode. On this episode, Jason and Jared discuss Jeff Tweedy's final (as of April 2023) contribution to the Golden Smog discography, 2006's ANOTHER FINE DAY. Jason recommends: THE WAY BACK (film, 2020) Jared recommends: SHOWING UP (film) We've got no social media presence so, if you like the show, please rate it, review it, and recommend it to friends. Thanks!

Continuing our exploration of Jeff Tweedy's extraWILCOlar activities, Jason and Jared discuss Loose Fur's second offering, BORN AGAIN IN THE USA, and this time they're doing it with their podcast brother from another mother, Chris Ayers (co-host with our own Jason Keil and Barbara VanDenburgh of The Life of the Mind - the podcast about the Coen Brothers). Come for the Tweedy love, stay for the Canadian arts and James Gray digressions. Recommendations: Chris Ayers - THE CREATIVE ACT: A WAY OF BEING by Rick Rubin (book) Jason Keil - THE BIG DOOR PRIZE (Apple TV+) Jared Duran - CONTINUE AS A GUEST by The New Pornographers and ALL THE EYE CAN SEE by Joe Henry (albums) Little Somethings Press has an upcoming launch even at Changing Hands in Tempe (Jared is contributor/reader at the event) Event info here: https://www.changinghands.com/event/april2023/little-something-press Get a copy here: https://little-somethings-press.square.site/s/shop Be sure to check out THE LIFE OF THE MINE - THE PODCAST ABOUT THE COEN BROTHERS wherever you get your podcasts!

On this episode, Jason and Jared continue to get Tweedy with it (na na na, etc.)! It's the last entry from The Minus 5, their eponymous 2006 album, aka, The Gun Album (due to artwork), which Jared praises as a candidate for one of his desert island discs. Arguably, not as much Tweedy as the prior two Minus 5 entries, but there's a not insignificant contribution from Wilco here, and it's just a damn fine album that more people should hear, so check it out! No social media for this podcast, so please spread the word--if you like us, recommend us to a friend! Jason recommends: COCAINE BEAR Jared recommends: CRACKER ISLAND by Gorillaz

On this episode, we continue our dive into Jeff Tweedy's extraWILCOlar activities with the...minor...Minus 5 work, the At the Organ EP (it's fine, we could've skipped it, though). Also, get ready for Inception-like tangent shit. Jason recommends: the late-period Billy Wilder film, Avanti! Jared recommends: the albums Putting on Airs and Lighten Up by Erin Rae

Jason and Jared get down with the Minus 5's DOWN WITH WILCO. Plus, is Jared entering his Larry David phase? Why hasn't Harrison Ford won an Oscar? And much more. Thanks for listening! We're not on Social Media anymore (unless you count Jason's Facebook account), so subscribing to the show, rating it, and recommending it to friends are all things we greatly appreciate.

We're back on our Tweedy bullshit! That's right, Jason and Jared are discussing Loose Fur's eponymous 2003 debut, an album recorded in the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot era. Strap in, folks, it's a wild one. If you want to find us somewhere and see what we're up to, try checking us out on Letterboxd: LtdEngagement (Jared) and rulerboy (Jason)

We continue our exploration of Jeff Tweedy's extraWILCOlar activities with his score for Ethan Hawke's feature-length directorial debut, CHELSEA WALLS. The movie is okay, the soundtrack RULES. Also, there's some, er, football talk. Yup, that's right, football. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Being where? Here! Getting Tweedy with it! Exploring Jeff Tweedy's extraWILCOlar activities! On this episode, Jason and Jared discuss the second Golden Smog album, Weird Tales.  Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

And so we embark on our miniseries with many names: Tweedy's Extra-Wilcolar Activities, Being Where?, or Getting Tweedy With It. We're talking the 1995 Golden Smog album, Down By The Old Main Stream, which is a pretty good album! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

This episode is a bit of a palate cleanser before getting Tweedy with it. Jason and Jared discuss the merits of covers albums, this year's Treehouse of Horror, and offer up some recommendations. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Yeah, it's one of our longer episodes, but it's the last film in our Nicole Holofcener discussion, and we had a lot to talk about. In addition to breaking down The Last Duel, we rank all the entries in the Holofcener Cinematic Universe, and land on our next discussion focus (hint, he's an American aquarium drinker). Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Well, we've reached the penultimate entry in our dive into the Holofcener Cinematic Universe, CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME. Jason and Jared discuss the different lenses through which they viewed the film, the brilliant performances turned in by McCarthy and Grant, and more. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle Also, support Jason's family and MS research! https://bit.ly/3CKElWk

On this edition of Mental Platypus, Jared and Jason are stepping out of the HCU (because Jared didn't have time to watch the movie), in order to talk about some things they're really digging at the moment. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Jason tries his best to keep this one PG, but Jared will have none of it! On this episode, it's a discussion of Nicole Holofcener's 2018 film, The Land of Steady Habits. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Guys! It's our 50th episode! We have podcasted for sooooo many hours! Too bad we have to mark the occasion by talking about such a nothing of a film. Yikes! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

We delve ever deeper into the HCU with what Jared describes as "possibly [his] new favorite film," and Jason as Holofcener's "Avengers movie," ENOUGH SAID. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Looking for a great dramedy that covers the heady topic of liberal guilt? Look no further than PLEASE GIVE, Nicole Holofcener's 2010 offering. In all seriousness, it's an absolute gem, which Jason and Jared happily go on about at great length. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Jason got stuck in Detroit with COVID (don't worry, he's fine), so here's another one from "The Vault." Showing just how strong their friendship is, Jason took the time for a deep dive on what is very nearly universally acknowledged as Squeeze's worst album, 1998's DOMINO. This was originally recorded for the podcast Album Infinitum, but this version features a freshly recorded intro, and cuts out the original intro and outro. We hope you enjoy it, and we'll be back with a new episode soon. Thanks for listening! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Hey, folks. We tried to maintain our release schedule, but one of Jason's kids got COVID, then Jared took his first actual break for some much needed downtime in over six months, and we wanted to give you something for your ear holes, so here you are! It's one of our most popular non-The Good Place episodes of What the Fork?!, a discussion of David O. Russell's most Linklater-esque film, I Heart Huckabees - a delightful philosophical romp! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Friends! Some have money; some, not so much! Jason and Jared discuss the most immediately satisfying entry in Nicole Holofcener's oeuvre to this point in their journey, FRIENDS WITH MONEY. Plus, recommendations, and much more. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

On this episode, Jason and Jared discuss Nicole Holofcener's sophomore effort, Lovely and Amazing, which, much like Walking and Talking, reveals depths of import and insight over the course of conversation that were not immediately apparent during the initial viewing. Plus, a lot of record store talk, and recommendations that one might go so far to describe as both lovely and amazing. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Jason and Jared begin their discussion of films written/directed and written/not directed by Nicole Holofcener with her fantastic debut feature film, Walking and Talking. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

We close the book on our Frank Talk miniseries with what is very easily the best of the films we've discussed, Out of Sight. Clooney! J-Lo! Soderberg! White Boy Bob! Soooooo good! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Finally, Jason and Jared are talking about a good movie again. Actually, strike that, a GREAT movie. Get Shorty. Dig it! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Do NOT be taken in by the episode number, this is far from the answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything. It is in fact, a discussion of a severely disappointing movie full of gratuitous sweat, and questionable accent, and that's just coming off of the film's star, Alec Baldwin. That's right, we're tackling Heaven's Prisoners, because we said we would, and boy is it a dud!

On this episode of our "Frank Talk" miniseries, we discuss Malice. Yes, that Malice, the one that gave the world the "I AM God" monologue. It's not a great film. Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Very importantly, on this episode, Jason and Jared discuss the second of Scott Frank's 90s screenwriting credits, and Jodie Foster's cinematic directorial debut, Little Man Tate. Even more importantly, they get down to the bottom of all this Pig versus Babe: Pig in the City malarkey. Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Our series on the 90's films written by Scott Frank begins with 1991's Dead Again, directed by Kenneth Branagh. Also, a lot of recommendations (highly recommended), and a little bit of Mark Lanegan talk (R.I.P.). Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

How does one evaluate a new, solid, strong album released more than four decades into a creatively restless artist's career? That is the question at the heart of this episode, in Jason and Jared discuss, at length, Elvis Costello and the Imposters' very good new album, The Boy Named If. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

An innocent discussion of Beck's discography gets excessively heated as Jared says he could take or leave the indelible classic, "Where it's At," which Jason can simply not abide. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

As we stumble into the bleary, less than promising light of 2022, we take a moment to pour one out for 2021, a.k.a., Dumpster Fire Part Deux. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Wherein we discuss the films The Power of the Dog and Pig. Also, occasional commentary on the Fiesta Bowl Parade. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Wherein we discuss Aimee Mann's latest album, Queens of the Summer Hotel. We go pretty deep. A lot of the discussion was sparked by this article in The Guardian by Laura Snapes: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/04/aimee-mann-any-woman-my-age-is-traumatised-by-growing-up-in-the-60s-and-70s and this one in Paste by Tom Lanham: https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/aimee-mann/aimee-mann-interview-queens-of-the-summer-hotel/ Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

This week, we take care of old business, new business, and a deep dive into the nuanced and not so nuanced differences between the 2021 director's cut and 1985 theatrical versions of ROCKY IV. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Well, Jared forgot to do his homework, so here's another Hornby-less discussion. Instead, Jason is wowed by Jared's display of sports knowledge, there's a Tim Burton discussion, and it's determined that Jared owes Jason several hundred dollars for the ensuing therapy session, so please, consider supporting us on Patreon. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

This week, we take a break to consider NO TIME TO DIE, the final film in the Daniel Craig James Bond run. Oh, and Dune, too, because why not? Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

On this episode, Jason and Jared go to the 'Mats - The Replacements. If you know, you know. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

This week, Jason and Jared discuss what subjects make for a good song—a topic that Nick Hornby is inspired to broach in his essay from SONGBOOK regarding Ani DiFranco's YOU HAD TIME and Aimee Mann's I'VE HAD IT. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

This week, Jason and Jared discuss what subjects make for a good song--a topic that Nick Hornby is inspired to broach in his essay from SONGBOOK regarding Ani DiFranco's "You Had Time" and Aimee Mann's "I've Had It." Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

In the next entry of SONGBOOK, Nick Hornby proves how he's not a Dylan fan by listing all the many, many Dylan albums he owns. Also, Jared has a dream that he has to help Morrissey move, and Jason discusses how he was there at just the right moment to feel the full effect of Barenaked Ladies. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

In one of the best entries of SONGBOOK, Nick Hornby discusses Rod Stewart in terms of his work as an interpreter of song, and as a gateway to the original artist. Jason and Jared expand and expound on this theme in a downright delightful fashion. Please, rate/review/subscribe/recommend Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

For some reason, Nick Hornby felt the need to talk about how he wanted to lose his virginity to Santana's 1970 instrumental track, SAMBA PA TI. Jason and Jared have little interest in discussing this, so they instead have a spoiler-filled talk about how much they enjoyed James Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD, and an equally spoiler-filled, though much more divisive, chat about the season 1 finale of PHYSICAL. Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle

Alternate title for this episode, Let's Get Spiritual. In Rufus Wainwright's rendition of "One Man Guy," song 5 of SONGBOOK, staunch atheist Nick Hornby finds G-d, Jason Keil isn't quite sure why, and Jared Duran discusses how music is the closest he gets to feeling spiritual. Learn more at http://mentalplatypus.com and find all our recommendations at http://hootnwaddle.com/mentalplatypus/podcast.php Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @Mental_Platypus Email us at mentalplatypusquarterly@gmail.com Support us at https://patreon.com/hootnwaddle