Podcasts about Music criticism

We're back talking about music again this week, catching up on some of the biggest stories we missed since the last podcast including cancelled tours, three unremarkable Drake albums, and more overpriced ticket discourse.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Callum McLean as they discuss Hall of Fame artists:Buddy Holly's “Everyday” vs. Stevie Wonder's “Golden Lady”Kraftwerk's “Home Computer” vs. LL Cool J's “Around the Way Girl”Bruce Springsteen's “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” vs. Gil Scott-Heron's “New York is Killing Me”Tom Waits' “Anywhere I Lay My Head” vs. James Brown's “It's a Man's Man's World (Live)”Lovin' Spoonful's “Daydream” vs. David Bowie's “Sound and Vision”Donna Summer's  “I Feel Love” vs. Dave Clark Five's “Glad All Over”Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' “Learning to Fly” vs. Talking Heads' “Cities” They also discuss Hot Chip, Mamas & Papas' “Creeque Alley,” RHCP vs. Buckethead, and DMX. Check out Callum McLean at https://callummclean.me/! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Jack Probst as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Platters' “Only You” vs. Tom Waits' “Hang Down Your Head”Funkadelic's “Maggot Brain” vs. Bobby Blue Band “Lead Me On”Billy Joel's “Movin' Out” vs. Yes' “Roundabout”R.E.M.'s “The One I Love” vs. Cure's “Love Song”Salt-n-Pepa's “Push It” vs. Missy Elliott's “Get Ur Freak On”They also discuss food critic Jonathan Gold and JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. Check out Jack Probst at https://www.jackprobst.com/, https://www.instagram.com/jackdprobst, https://merrygoroundmagazine.com/author/jack-probst/ (including the Bargin Bin column), and https://bsky.app/profile/jackprobst.com! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Dan Bogosian as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Elvis' “Long Black Limousine” vs. Stevie Wonder's “Sugar”Red Hot Chili Peppers' “Aeroplane” vs. Paul McCartney's “Temporary Secretary”Run-DMC's “Rock Box” vs. Pearl Jam's “Parachutes”Donna Summer's “Love to Love you Baby” vs. Spinners' “Rubberband Man”David Bowie's “Heroes” vs. Chuck Berry's “Almost Grown”  They also discuss comedy movie orgy music and Frank Black, including Frank on Mike Watt's “Chinese Firedrill” from the Ball-Hog or Tugboat? album. Check out Dan Bogosian at https://www.instagram.com/dlbogosian/, https://danbogosian.substack.com/, dlbogosian.bsky.social, and his RHCP book, Red Hot Chili Peppers FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Best-Selling Alternative Band, which can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-FAQ/dp/1617137227! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Zach Schonfeld as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Michael Jackson's “Don't Stop Till You Get Enough” vs. Outkast's "Ms. Jackson"OutKast's “B.O.B.” vs. Sam Cooke's “Ain't That Good News”Guns n' Roses' “November Rain” vs. Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt"The Beastie Boys' "Sabotage" vs. White Stripes' “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground”Rolling Stones' “She Smiled Sweetly” vs. Prince's "If I Was Your Girlfriend" They also discuss Sly and the Family Stone's "Family Affair" and "If You Want Me To Stay," The Beastie Boys' "Shadrach," Prince's "Darling Nikki," Nine Inch Nails' "March of the Pigs," Big Grams (Big Boi & Phantogram), and Kurt Cobain. Zach Schonfeld is a regular contributor to Pitchfork (https://pitchfork.com/staff/zach-schonfeld/) and Stereogum (https://stereogum.com/author/zach-schonfeld) and wrote the book on Nick Cage, How Coppola Became Cage, which can be purchased at https://www.amazon.com/Coppola-Became-Cage-Zach-Schonfeld/dp/019755637X! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Max Freedman as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Hank Ballard's “Hoochie Coochie Coo” vs. Janet Jackson's “If”Madonna's “Like a Prayer” vs. Madonna's “Live to Tell”Parliament's “Flash Light” vs. Prince's “When Doves Cry”Kate Bush's “Running Up That Hill” vs. Jackson Browne's “Somebody's Baby”Radiohead's “Let Down” vs. Nine Inch Nails' “Head Like a Hole” They also discuss Grimes, hyperpop, Ciccone Youth's “Into the Groovey,” Fusilier's “Ambush,” Marilyn Manson, and Courtney Barnett vs. Snail Mail. Check out Max Freedman at https://lavendersound.substack.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/thelavendersound/! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Iain Key as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Bob Dylan's “Murder Most Foul” vs. Pink Floyd's “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”The Cure's “Just Like Heaven” vs. Pearl Jam's “Go”Elvis' “If I Can Dream”  vs. Willie Nelson's “Stay a Little Longer (Live)”Lou Reed's “Perfect Day” vs. The Beach Boys' “God Only Knows”Whitney Houston's “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” vs. Green Day's “American Idiot” They also discuss John Hughes movie soundtrack songs, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, and a 90's Children in Need BBC special. Check out Iain Key at https://linktr.ee/iainkey, https://www.instagram.com/iain.key, https://louderthanwar.com/author/iain-key/, and https://www.mixcloud.com/louderthanwar/playlists/iain-key/! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Christian Kriticos as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Del Shannon's “Runaway” vs. Paul Simon's “All Around the World or the Myth of Fingerprints”R.E.M.'s “Fall On Me” vs. Bobby Darin's “Splish Splash”Depeche Mode's “Personal Jesus” vs. Queen's “A Kind of Magic”Prince & the Revolution's “Kiss” vs. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas' "Nowhere to Run"Mary J. Blige's “No More Drama” vs. Bob Dylan's “Brownsville Girl” They also discuss Blood Orange's “You're Not Good Enough,” Memory Tapes' “Green Knight,” Public Enemy, and Prince vs. Michael Jackson. Check out Christian Kriticos at https://www.christiankriticos.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/christian.kriticos/, and his book MUSIQUE CONCRÈTE coming soon from Bloomsbury! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic E.R. Pulgar as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Def Leppard's “Animal” vs. Fleetwood Mac's “Silver Springs”The Doors' “L.A. Woman” vs Queen's “Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy”Janet Jackson's “Again” vs. David Bowie's “Life on Mars?”Neil Young's “Powderfinger” vs The Velvet Underground's “Venus In Furs”Alice Cooper's “Poison” vs. Gil Scott-Heron's “I'll Take Care Of You” They also discuss harps, poetry, and Gerard Malanga. Follow E.R. Pulgar's work athttps://www.instagram.com/er_pulgar/https://erpulgar.com/https://elunderground.substack.com/ Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads — check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1! Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Stephen Deusner as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Linda Rondstadt & Aaron Neville's “I Don't Know Much” vs. Isaac Hayes' “Walk On By” (the 12-minute album version)Little Richard's “Get Down With It” vs. R.E.M.'s “Country Feedback”Neil Diamond's “Cracklin' Rosie” vs. T. Rex's “20th Century Boy”Staple Singers' “Washington We're Watching You” vs. Sam Cooke's “A Change is Gonna Come”Eurythmics' “Sweet Dreams” vs. Roxy Music's “Do the Strand” They also discuss the Poppy Family, Cornbugs, Michael Shannon, and political music. Check out Stephen Deusner at https://www.stephendeusner.com/, https://www.instagram.com/stephendeusner/, and linktr.ee/stephendeusner! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1! Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Aug Stone as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Mamas & the Papas' “Creeque Alley” vs. The Ramones' “Come On Now”Def Leppard's “Photograph” vs. Michael Jackson's “Scream”Ruth Brown's “This Little Girl's Gone Rockin” vs. Sly & The Family Stone's “Everyday People”Dusty Springfield's “Stay Awhile” vs. Elton John's “Bennie and the Jets”George Michael's “Freedom 90” vs. Solomon Burke's “Cry To Me”Van Halen's “Unchained” vs. Talking Heads' “This Must be the Place (Naïve Melody)”Little Richard's “Hurry Sundown” vs. Kate Bush's “Hounds Of Love” Check out Aug Stone at instagram.com/augxstone/, augstone.com, https://twitter.com/augstone, augstone.substack.com, https://linktr.ee/augstone, and augstone.bsky.social! Also check out https://hbird.bandcamp.com/album/operation-fascination! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Libby Cudmore as they discuss Hall of Fame artists:Dion's “Can't We Be Sweethearts” vs. Green Day's "Redundant"Steely Dan's "The Caves of Altamira" vs. Prince's “Batdance”Johnny Cash's “Cocaine Blues (Live at Folsom State Prison)” vs. Warren Zevon's "Johnny Strikes Up The Band"Cyndi Lauper's "Hole In My Heart (That Goes All the Way To China)" vs. Genesis' “No Son of Mine”Hall & Oates' “Sara Smile” vs. Dave Matthews Band's "The Space Between"   They also discuss Oh Hello on Broadway and movie soundtracks. Check out Libby Cudmore at https://libbycudmore.com/, libbycudmore.bsky.social, https://www.instagram.com/record_saturday, ostparty.bsky.social.  Libby is the author of Negative Girl (Datura 2024) and The Big Rewind (William Morrow 2016) as well as the Wade & Jacks P.I. series. Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Reed Jackson as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Beach Boys' “Sloop John B” vs. R.E.M.'s “Cuyahoga”Joni Mitchell's “The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines” vs. Queen's “I Want it All”The Temptations' “Runaway Child, Running Wild” vs. Velvet Underground's “What Goes On”Miles Davis' “Rated X” vs. ABBA's “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)”Clash's “Magnificent Seven” vs. Neil Young's “Thrasher” Reed Jackson is the managing editor of the Spectrum Culture website and a regular contributor to Aquarium Drunkard.  You can also check out Reed at https://x.com/nakedfoul, https://www.instagram.com/blargeld, and https://nakedfoul.substack.com/! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with Meinard Cuskey as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Public Enemy's “Harder Than You Think” vs. The Ramones' “Blitzkrieg Bop”Led Zeppelin's “Whole Lotta Love” vs. Van Halen's “Ain't Talkin' About Love”Soundgarden's “Fell on Black Days” vs. Pearl Jam's “Black”Fleetwood Mac's “The Chain” vs. The Zombies' “She's Not There”Velvet Underground's “I'm Waiting for the Man” vs. Radiohead's “All I Need” They also discuss Buckethead and Nirvana. Check out Meinard Cuskey at https://www.instagram.com/meinardcuskey/ and https://www.tiktok.com/@meinard_c; and on Spotify, listen to the Forever is Composed of Nows album by his band Cody's Porch, and his own EP, Everything I've Known. Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Lindsay Patton as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: Tom Waits' “What's He Building” vs. Whitney Houston's “How Will I Know”Grandmaster Flash's “It's Nasty” vs. White Stripes' “Jolene” (Official Music Video)Beatles' “She Loves You”u vs. David Bowie's “Cat People”Blondie's “Rapture” vs. Guns n' Roses' “It's So Easy”O'Jays' “Back Stabbers” vs. George Michael's “Careless Whisper” They also discuss David Bowie's “Fashion” and Grandmaster Flash's “The Message.” Check out Lindsay Patton at https://notafitforourpublication.substack.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/pattonlindsay/! Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Jason LeValley as they discuss Hall of Fame artists: John Lennon's “Jealous Guy” vs. Paul McCartney's “Hi, Hi, Hi”David Bowie's “Rock n' Roll Suicide” vs. Journey's “Separate Ways”Nina Simone's “Mississippi Goddam (Live)” vs. Foreigner's “Head Games” They also discuss The Zombies's “Time of the Season” and Blondie's “Hanging on the Telephone.” Check out Jason LeValley at https://psychedelicscene.com/, https://www.instagram.com/psychedelic_scene/, https://www.youtube.com/@psychedelicscene/videos, and https://www.facebook.com/psychedelic.scene! LeValley has been a regular contributor to the Phoenix New Times music section since March 2025. Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

Music fan Brian Koppen chats with music critic Josh Friedberg as they discuss  Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artists:Leonard Cohen's “The Future” vs. Michael Jackson's “Will You Be There”Aretha Franklin's “Ain't No Way” vs. Nine Inch Nails' “March of the Pigs”Jay-Z & Kanye West's “Ni**as in Paris” vs. OutKast's “B.O.B.”They also discuss Nirvana's “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” and Otis Redding.Check out Josh Friedberg at https://linktr.ee/joshfriedberg, https://joshfrmusic.substack.com/, and https://www.instagram.com/joshfrmusic!Intro music is from Jussy's Down Open Roads.  Check out Jussy at https://soundcloud.com/user-214048265/sets/jussy-demos-1!Support the show

This episodes has it all! Big music festivals, hardcore (the genre) news and notes, including Turnstile's big performance, and more. Also, we get into Kanye, sort of, and what to expect from audiences that just don't care anymore.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" set the blueprint for the term "Pop Bible", six smash singles, five number ones, and cultural moments that defined a generation. But which 2020s pop album comes closest to claiming that throne? In Part 1 of Vinyl Drop's first Pop Bible, Keith Montena is joined by AJ Marks, host of Main Pod Girl and lead moderator at Reddit's Popheads, to break down what made Teenage Dream so defining, before diving deep into Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia. Released March 27th, 2020, just as the world shut down due to Covid-19, Future Nostalgia became one of the defining pop rollout of the pandemic era. We discuss the rollout, the music, the history, and whether this album holds a candle to Teenage Dream, before going head to head with Sabrina Carpenter's Short N Sweet later on. Which album wins? You'll have to listen to find out.

Back again! It's almost time for the Oscars, but first, the BAFTAs screw everything up and do some slurs. What an embarrassing mess. Then, we talk about some new albums, including a boring entry from Bruno Marts. To close, we discuss how selling out became cool and how we might be able to make it lame again. As it should be.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Another episode covering a few big weeks in entertainment, including the Grammy awards and the Super Bowl halftime show. Bad Bunny is big time! Plus, new releases from Joyce Manor....and J. Cole.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Gav has had plenty to say on the pod about the declining quality of ballsy music journalism in the UK with talented scribes being reduced to hired hacks, used for the whims and wants of overbearing PR agencies, record labels and the bands and they represent. But now it's time for those wordsmiths to fight back and have their say on how they view the industry in which they ply their trade.Part one, in what will no doubt be a series of pulling back the curtain on music journalism, features former Independent writer, serial podcaster and Metal Hammer talent Remfry Dedman.Buy your We Lost The Sea tickets: https://www.seetickets.com/tour/we-lost-the-seaAnd your pod merch: www.nomad-stores.com/collections/2-promoters-1-podWe go again, every Thursday morning.

Want to request a song? Tell us your rating? Send us a Text Message right now! This week on 1001 Songs That Make You Want To Die, we put “Complicated” under the microscope and ask the question nobody wanted answered in 2002: was this actually pop punk, or were we all aggressively gaslit by a necktie and some eyeliner?We dig into how Avril Lavigne was pitched as a skater-punk outsider while quietly being moulded in a boardroom, why Complicated sounds a lot more like country rock than Warped Tour, and how a song with zero pop-punk staples somehow became the face of the genre.Along the way, we cover industry plants, the Matrix songwriting factory, the unhinged Avril replacement conspiracy, questionable skateboarding technique, violent crimes against a supermarket hot-dog mascot, and the all-important closer: could Gavin beat Avril Lavigne in a fight circa 2002?It's messy. It's nostalgic. Several people's piss is reportedly burning.DUBBY DUBBY is declaring WAR on big Energy! Use the promo code "1001songs" at checkout for 10% off! Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREEBlessington Support the podcast when you buy a Blessington watch! Use the promo code “1001songs” at checkout. DUBBYDUBBY is declaring WAR on big Energy! Use the promo code "1001songs" at checkout for 10% off! Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/1001songsthatmakeyouwanttodie/Follow us on TikTok: @the1001crew

You know we had to make a list and check it twice. Here's part 1 of our best of the year lists featuring our favorite albums and songs from 2025.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

It's Cyber Monday at Open Studio! Grab our biggest savings of the year and take your playing to the next level: https://www.openstudiojazz.com/yhi/Keith Jarrett's "The Köln Concert" is the best selling solo piano album of all time. But why this album? Possibly because it sounded like nothing else in popular music at the time of its release in 1975. It is cinematic, genre-fluid and masterful – in many ways ahead of its time.Jazz musicians Adam Maness and Peter Martin listen to one of the most popular albums in the history of jazz, pulling apart all the elements that make it great: the melodies, the vamps, even the "soul" of Jarrett's notoriously flawed piano. If you know "The Köln Concert" well, watch for the analysis and hot takes. If you haven't heard this album before, it may just become the soundtrack to your life!00:00 - Is it Köln or Cologne?06:30 - Part I09:20 - How Jarrett Made Music for the Moment17:00 - Jumping Back Into Part I23:00 - Joyful and Fearless 29:00 - All the Genres33:20 - Legit Amazing AND Popular36:05 - The Harp42:00 - Part II a48:25 - 80s Cinema Vibes54:20 - Part II b1:00:55 - Part II c1:04:00 - Apex Moments & Categories1:11:45 - GALA + Black Friday at Open Studio!

We discuss Hayley Williams fall, her going on tour, and doing the work to protect fans against scalpers. Plus, some Grammy talk and predictions, and reactions to the upcoming slate of music biopics that feel like the final form or what's been brewing for years.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Back with another episode covering our time together at New York Comic-Con this year, plus talking over recent (and past) Tyler, The Creator controversies. And finally, Stephen melts down over Fall Out Boy trying to ruin his Christmas.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Top Five Songs About Night - A to Z Series   Welcome back, pop culture enthusiasts! In this episode of the Top Five podcast, hosts Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt continue their A to Z series with their top five songs about 'Night'.   From rock anthems to country tunes, and pop to classic hits, Kris and Annie share their personal favorites and discuss the stories behind each song. Tune in for a mix of musical nostalgia, fun trivia, and heartfelt moments.   Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe!   OH, and the Playlist?  RIGHT HERE!!   00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:18 Casual Sunday Chat 00:58 Top Five Songs About Night 01:20 Song Discussions and Memories 17:11 Honorable Mentions and Recap 18:37 Closing Remarks

Top Five Karaoke Experiences and The Karaoke Commandments   Join hosts Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt as they dive into their top five karaoke experiences from A to Z.   This episode covers everything from favorite karaoke memories, songs you absolutely shouldn't sing, and an unforgettable 'I Will Survive' rule. Enjoy stories about Madonna's 'Hanky Panky,' Peyton Manning's viral karaoke moment, and a memorable 'Don't Stop Believing' performance.   Oh, and that playlist?  RIGHT HERE!   Tune in for a mix of fun, nostalgia, and some surprising song picks! 00:00 Welcome to the Top Five Podcast 00:24 Discussing Favorite Playlists 00:54 Today's Theme: Karaoke Songs 01:58 Karaoke Commandments and Personal Picks 13:40 Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts 20:47 Wrapping Up the Episode

Songs About Money: From Millionaires to Broke Folk   Welcome to another fun-filled Top Five podcast episode with your hosts, Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt.   Today's theme explores songs centered around money, with each host sharing their top picks for the letter M. From classic tracks by the Bare Naked Ladies to Shania Twain, Cyndi Lauper, and many more, Kris and Annie navigate their favorite musical pieces that discuss wealth and financial struggles.   Tune in for a mix of anecdotes, musical insights, and a playlist that promises to introduce you to some new tunes while revisiting timeless classics.   And that playlist?  RIGHT HERE. Enjoy!!   00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter 00:37 Songs About Money: Starting with Bare Naked Ladies 03:00 Diverse Picks: Lori McKenna and Cage the Elephant 05:51 Shania Twain and My Chemical Romance 08:43 Classic Movie Musicals and Cyndi Lauper 12:18 Unexpected Song Choices 12:43 Honorable Mentions 13:10 Classic Rock Memories 14:50 Madonna's Metaphor for Money 15:49 Top Money Songs Countdown 18:10 Empire Records and Cult Classics 21:07 Recap and Playlist 22:20 Engage with Us!

We only podcast when we're happy and we're podcasting right now! Kylan Savage and Valentine Hellman (hosts of the In Defense of Kesha podcast) guest for a special extra long ep where we experience the new Kesha album Period, which happens to be Kesha's first indie record on her own label. It's also our first crossover with In Defense of Kesha, and Nate and Kelly's first full Kesha album listen. Join us for 2025's Period, and Don't, don't, don't, don't even try to gi-give us shit. Oh and enjoy a special MouthGarf Report and another installment of I See What You Did There! Listen to Period: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxA687tYuMWiog8uIcTrsAw19EdHUGS2VListen to In Defense of Kesha: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/in-defense-of-kesha/id1760009078Please give us a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts! Want to ask us a question? Talk to us! Email debutbuddies@gmail.comListen to the archives of Kelly and Chelsea's awesome horror movie podcast, Never Show the Monster.Get some sci-fi from Spaceboy Books.Get down with Michael J. O'Connor and the Cold Family and check out his new compilation The Best of the Bad Years 2005 - 2025Next time: First Credit Card (For real this time! We promise!)

Songs About Luck - Letter L   Join hosts Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt on The Penultimate Pop Culture Podcast as they dive into the world of songs about luck, covering the letter L. From country hits to classic punk, this episode promises an eclectic mix of tunes and entertaining discussions. Please tune in to discover their top picks and enjoy a fun-filled musical journey!   OH - and that playlist?  RIGHT HERE.  Enjoy!!   00:00 Welcome to the Pop Culture Podcast 00:31 Introducing the Hosts and Theme 01:13 Diving into the Playlist Theme: Songs About Luck 02:03 First Song Pick: Some Beach by Blake Shelton 03:37 Second Song Pick: Even The Losers by Tom Petty 05:35 Third Song Pick: Lucky Guy by The Muffs 06:49 Fourth Song Pick: Bad Luck by Social Distortion 07:59 Fifth Song Pick: Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat 09:26 Sixth Song Pick: Lucky for You by SheDaisy 11:00 Seventh Song Pick: Hard Luck Woman by KISS and Garth Brooks 13:15 Discussing 'Hard Luck Woman' by Kiss 14:09 Mary Chapin Carpenter's 'I Feel Lucky' 15:42 Black Crowes and Their Impact 17:04 Exploring Covers and Remixes 24:49 Top Songs About Luck Recap 25:58 Upcoming Episodes and Farewell

This is a music industry special episode where we dissect recent comments from Halsey, Lizzo, and others about the current state of streaming. Welcome to the new tech era where the numbers are made up and no one knows what matters.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

This episode on Post-Weird, we're catching up on everything we missed to end the summer music conversation including Sabrina Carpenter, K-Pop Demon Hunters, Bieber, and Spotify weapons investments. It's all happening, and the fall promises much more for some of our favorite alternative artists.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Pop Culture & Music: Songs About Idiots   Join hosts Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt as they continue their epic music series, rolling through songs from A to Z. This week, the letter is 'I', and they dive into songs about idiots, stupidity, and foolishness. The episode celebrates over 100 podcast episodes and features a diverse mix of tunes from the 80s to contemporary hits, with a special shared number one song. Get ready for a fun and eclectic playlist filled with pop culture insights.     00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:25 Charlie Sheen's Documentary 01:52 Epic Music Series: A to Z 02:13 Celebrating 100 Episodes 02:54 Songs About Idiots 03:52 Rick Springfield's 'What Kind of Fool Am I?' 05:30 Cinderella's 'Nobody's Fool' 08:34 Juliana Hatfield's 'Dumb Fun' 10:26 Harvey Danger's 'Flagpole Sita' 12:09 Tom McDonald's 'People So Stupid' 14:16 Discussing Offspring's 'Why Don't You Get a Job?' 16:16 Quarterflash's 'Find Another Fool' 17:45 Green Day's 'American Idiot' 18:24 Madonna's 'I'm So Stupid' 20:18 Shania Twain's 'Don't Be Stupid' 26:14 21 Pilots' 'At the Risk of Feeling Dumb' 28:36 Recap and Conclusion

While we usually don't cover the pre-show in the podcast description, here's a link to the Sleepers show at the Takoma Park Folk Festival this past weekend. https://youtu.be/mshuwyTpHEc?si=3qasvm-B9sfM9YKvWe kick things off with a News with Nick. Mark Volman, of the Turtles, Flo & Eddie, and a tenure with Frank Zappa and the Mothers in the early 70s, passed last week. Apple now lets you import playlists from other services, Radiohead announces a European tour, and Tay-Tay's engaged.Song: Frank Zappa & The Mothers - “Call Any Vegetable (Live)”Greg caught the last show of Oasis's reunion tour in L.A. and he is pumped to deliver a Tales from the Concert. The Rose Bowl was sold out, with approximately 90,000 in attendance, and the crowd was electric. Oasis never had a Number 1 hit in the U.S. and never played venues like this, but they were received as rock n' roll royalty and Greg thinks they've earned it.Song: Oasis - “Wonderwall (Live in Dublin)”Jay shares an article by Kelefa Sanneh of the New Yorker called “How Music Criticism Lost Its Edge” which explores the rise of poptimism and the decline of the snarky critic. The guys revisit a conversation they've explored in past episodes, what do we lose when music criticism loses its edge?Song: The Cure - “Cold”

Join Kris McPeak and co-host Annie Pruitt in this episode of the Top Five Podcast as they dive into the letter 'E' in their A to Z song series. This week, they discuss songs that evoke a range of emotions including happiness, sadness, jealousy, and loneliness. Featuring tracks from artists like Avril Lavigne, Kelly Pickler, Jimmy Eat World, Nina Simone, Travis Tritt, and many more, Kris and Annie share personal anecdotes and explain why these songs made it to their top five lists. Don't miss their interesting picks and delightful banter about music's powerful role in capturing our feelings.   Tune back in later for THE PLAYLIST    00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:32 Exploring Songs About Emotions 01:31 Jealousy: Avril Lavigne's 'Girlfriend' 02:42 Sadness: Kelly Pickler's 'I Wonder' 04:09 Depression: Jimmy Eat World's 'The Middle' 05:38 Happiness: Nina Simone and Travis Tritt 07:18 Heartbreak: REM's 'Everybody Hurts' 10:16 Loneliness: Cowboy Junkies' 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry' 11:58 Feeling Groovy: Simon and Garfunkel 13:02 Empathy and Courage: Coldplay and Sara Bareilles 15:26 Indecisiveness: Scissor Sisters' 'I Can't Decide' 16:39 Anxiety: Pat Benatar's 'Get Nervous' 18:13 Recap and Conclusion

On the Season 17 premier of Discologist, Eduardo and Kevin catch up after a long Summer, ponder the role of critics in the modern music landscape, and discuss the wonders of Pleaser, the latest (and AOTY-contender) from Washington, D.C.'s Pretty Bitter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Top Five Songs About Friendship In this episode of the Top Five Podcast, hosts Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt dive into their favorite songs about friendship, encompassing good, bad, and cheeky types of friends. From classic rock anthems and iconic pop hits to Disney soundtracks and contemporary Christian melodies, Kris and Annie reveal their top picks, including some surprising and nostalgic choices. Please tune in to discover their recommendations and possibly reminisce about some of your friendships along the way.   And - of course - don't forget about the EPIC PLAYLIST!!   00:00 Welcome to the Top Five Podcast 00:32 Introducing the Friendship Theme 01:05 Annie's First Pick: Garth Brooks 02:50 Kris' First Pick: Joan Jett 04:22 Annie's Second Pick: Edie Brickell 05:54 Kris' Second Pick: Wilson Phillips 07:53 Annie's Third Pick: The Beatles 08:55 Kris' Third Pick: Lady Gaga 10:31 Annie's Fourth Pick: Disney's Aladdin 12:09 Kris' Fourth Pick: Michael W. Smith 13:45 Annie's Fifth Pick: Bon Jovi 15:57 Kris' Fifth Pick: Spice Girls 17:27 Annie's Top Pick: 21 Pilots 18:30 Kris' Top Pick: Tenacious D 20:05 Recap and Conclusion

Join hosts Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt for the 'Top Five Podcast', the beloved pop culture series where each episode explores songs from different letters of the alphabet. This week's episode dives into the letter 'H,' featuring songs themed around Heaven and Hell. From Avril Lavigne to Meatloaf, and from Kenny Chesney to The Cure, discover their top picks and learn some fun backstories along the way. The hosts also share their playlists, including honorable mentions and nostalgic concert memories. Tune in for a musical journey that promises both discovery and delight.   AND:  that playlist?  ooohhhhh....HERE IT IS.  You're Welcome.   00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:50 Series Overview: Songs from A to Z 01:28 Today's Theme: Heaven and Hell 01:55 Song Picks: What the Hell by Veil Levine 03:01 Song Picks: Bat Outta Hell by Meatloaf 05:10 Song Picks: Something Happened on the Way to Heaven by Phil Collins 06:48 Song Picks: Say Hello to Heaven by Temple of the Dog 08:06 Song Picks: Raise Hell by Brandy Carlisle 09:27 Song Picks: Locked Out of Heaven by Bruno Mars 10:41 Song Picks: Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven by Kenny Chesney 11:33 Song Picks: Just Like Heaven by The Cure 13:08 Honorable Mentions 19:19 Recap and Closing Remarks

We're back with another round up of music news and album releases that we want to talk about, including an album that continues Tyler, The Creators run as one of our most consistent artists working today. Stick around for some Happy Gilmore talk at the end. New Tyler the Creator album "Don't Tap the Glass"New Hayley Williams song dropThe Dirty Nil release “The Lash”Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

n this episode of the Top Five Podcast, hosts Kris McPeak and her sister Annie Pruitt dive into their epic A to Z series, focusing on their favorite breakup songs for the letter B. They discuss the origins and significance of each song on their list, share personal memories tied to the tunes, and enjoy some lighthearted banter along the way. Whether it's iconic tracks from the 80s, early 2000s hits, or more recent anthems, this episode covers an eclectic range of music sure to resonate with any pop culture aficionado. OH - and that playlist??  It's RIGHT HERE!!! 00:00 Welcome to the Top Five Podcast 00:47 Pickle Talk and Family Moments 02:52 Epic Series Introduction: Favorite Songs from A to Z 04:02 Breakup Songs: Robin's 'Dancing on My Own' 05:27 Breakup Songs: With Confidence's 'Without Me' 07:15 Breakup Songs: Kim Wilde's 'You Keep Me Hanging On' 08:25 Breakup Songs: All American Rejects' 'Gives You Hell' 09:44 Breakup Songs: Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn' 11:32 Breakup Songs: Kelly Clarkson's 'Since You've Been Gone' 13:03 Breakup Songs: Glee's Memorable Covers 13:21 Darren Criss and Matt Bomer's Stunning Duet 15:21 Elvis Presley's Heartfelt Classic 17:35 Janet Jackson's Emotional Ballad 18:57 Motley Crue's Rock Anthem 21:14 Alanis Morissette's Iconic Breakup Song 23:09 Miley Cyrus' Trio of Breakup Anthems 26:01 Recap and Final Thoughts

We're back with another episode, this time talking about the fun we had with the new 'Superman' movie and the new Clipse album. Also, Justin Bieber surprise released a new album and it's...fine? We discuss.Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt are back with another exciting episode of the Top Five Podcast! As part of their new 'Songs A to Z' series, they explore songs that have colors in the title. Please tune in to hear their top picks and personal stories linked to each song. Be ready for some fun music trivia and nostalgic memories. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe! And don't forget about that playlist!  It's right HERE. 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:30 Upcoming Pop Culture Plans 01:00 Songs A to Z Series Overview 01:35 Today's Theme: Songs with Colors 02:26 Chris's First Pick: Orange Crush by REM 04:39 Annie's First Pick: Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt 05:52 Chris's Second Pick: True Blue and Blue Kiss 07:26 Annie's Second Pick: Red-Eyed Troll by The Muffs 09:28 Chris's Third Pick: Crimson and Clover by Joan Jett 10:59 Annie's Third Pick: Tie A Yellow Ribbon by Tony Orlando and Dawn 12:57 Chris's Fourth Pick: Band of Gold by Belinda Carlisle 14:18 Annie's Fourth Pick: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John 16:09 Chris's Fifth Pick: I Saw Red by Warrant 18:10 Annie's Honorable Mention: Back in Black by Amy Winehouse 19:21 Chris's Number One: Pink by Aerosmith 20:38 Annie's Number One: Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance 23:28 Recap and Conclusion

In this episode of the Top Five podcast, hosts Kris and Annie dive back into their pop culture discussions. Inspired by the High Fidelity movie, the duo brings a fresh list each week.   This time, they continue the series 'Songs from A to Z' with the letter 'D,' focusing on songs about dreams. They share their top five dream-themed tracks, recalling memories and anecdotes about each one.   From 60s classics to TV show covers and even Broadway hits, the episode promises a nostalgic and diverse musical journey. Please tune in for their energetic banter and stellar song insights.   And, oh yeah...that playlist?  RIGHT HERE.   00:00 Welcome to the Top Five Podcast 01:05 Introducing the Theme: Songs About Dreams 01:54 Top Five Dream Songs: Starting with Number Five 05:11 Diving into Number Four 07:44 Revealing Number Three 10:16 Counting Down to Number Two 13:15 Honorable Mentions and Final Picks 19:58 Wrapping Up and Teasing Future Episodes

  In this lively episode of the Top Five podcast, Kris and Annie kick off an exhilarating new series where they explore their favorite songs from A to Z.   This week's theme is 'songs about animals,' and the challenge is to select tracks that mention animals without any overlap. From fun and quirky tracks to serious ballads, the hosts share their top five picks, along with some interesting backstories and honorable mentions.   Tune in to discover new music and enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Kris and Annie.     Oh - and the playlist?  RIGHT HERE.   00:00 Introduction and Birthday Celebration 00:35 Introducing the New Series: A to Z Songs 01:04 Songs About Animals: Starting with the Letter A 02:25 First Picks: Rock Lobster and Sheep Go to Heaven 04:55 Diverse Animal Songs: From Horses to Stray Cats 07:18 Karaoke Stories and Beatles Covers 10:10 Wacky and Weird Animal Songs 14:11 Honorable Mentions and Final Picks 19:50 Recap and Conclusion

We're back to talk about a variety of rap related topics including Cardi B's album announcement, the Clipse beef rollout, and the use the lazy use of AI going on. Plus, new release talk regarding HAIM, Hotline TNT, and the upcoming Lorde album. Thank you for listening!Hosted by Stephen Williams and Zack Miller

Kris McPeak hosts a solo episode of the Top Five podcast, where she shares her top five wishlist of guest hosts she would love to have on the show.   Despite a recording mishap, Kris outlines her choices, starting with Adam Corolla, Tina Fey, the hosts of the Ruthless Variety Program, Kevin Smith, and finally, Jimmy Fallon. She also includes an honorable mention for Brian Koppelman and David Levine of the show 'Billions.'   Kris discusses why she admires these individuals and how their unique qualities would add to her podcast. 00:00 Introduction and Technical Glitch 00:29 Solo Show Explanation and Memorial Day 01:13 Top Five Wishlist of Guest Hosts 05:46 Honorable Mention and Number One Guest Host 07:52 Recap and Conclusion

Steven and Ian open today with a quick TV-cast on the latest episode of The Rehearsal, which is some of the finest Evanescence-related content you will ever see. (0:13) (They also pivot briefly to a Movie-cast about Sinners.) (10:20) From there, they update the Fantasy Album Draft to talk about the great new album by Billy Woods, Golliwog, which is wowing critics. (14:00) They also briefly touch on the new Arcade Fire record, which Ian has not heard yet so the longer conversation is tabled for next week. (18:56) Then they pivot to a talk about two inside-baseball music criticism topics — a recent IG post by the band Tennis railing against the treatment of their records from critics, (26:31) and Steven's interview this week with top YouTube music critic Anthony Fantano. (40:13)In Recommendation Corner, Ian talks about aughts-era band The Ponys upon the passing of drummer Nathan Jerde, and Steven stumps for the Portland band Alien Boy. (50:57)New episodes of Indiecast drop every Friday. Listen to Episode 238 here and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can submit questions for Steve and Ian at indiecastmailbag@gmail.com, and make sure to follow us on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) for all the latest news. We also recently launched a visualizer for our favorite Indiecast moments. Check those out here.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Super Bowl LIX was amazing, but not because of the football, or the commercials. It was the 13-minute half-time tour de force of political theology and protest art, brought to you by Kendrick Lamar. Acting like a parable to offer more to those who already get it, and to take away from those who don't get it at all, the performance was so much more than a petty way to settle a rap beef.But what exactly was going on? Today's episode is an introduction to the political theology of Kendrick Lamar. Evan Rosa welcomes Femi Olutade, arguably the living expert on the theology of Kendrick Lamar. A lifelong fan of hip hop and student of theology, he's deeply familiar not just with music Kendrick made, but the influences that made Kendrick, as well as Christian scripture and moral theology. Femi has written incredibly nuanced theological musicological reflections about Kendrick Lamar's 2017 album DAMN., which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music.Femi joined Dissect Podcast host Cole Cushna as lead writer for a 20-episode analysis of DAMN., offering incredible insight into the theological, moral, and political richness of Kendrick Lamar.About Femi OlutadeFemi Olutade is the lead writer for Season 5 of Dissect, an analysis of Kendrick Lamar's Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN. He's arguably the living expert on the theology of Kendrick Lamar. A lifelong fan of hip hop and student of theology, he's deeply familiar not just with music Kendrick made, but the influences that made Kendrick, as well as Christian scripture and moral theology. Femi has written incredibly nuanced theological musicological reflections about Kendrick Lamar's 2017 album DAMN., which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music.Femi joined host Cole Cushna as lead writer for a 20-episode analysis of DAMN., offering incredible insight into the theological, moral, and political richness of Kendrick Lamar.Show NotesFemi Olutade's Theology of Kendrick LamarKendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Half-Time Show (Video)Kendrick Lamar's Half-time Show Lyrics (Full)Season 5 of Dissect: Kendrick Lamar's DAMN.Kendrick Lamar's Political Theology as a Diss Track to AmericaSuper Bowl LIX was amazing, but not because of the football, or the commercials. It was the 13 minute half-time tour de force that Kendrick Lamar offered the world.Uncle Sam introduces the show, the quote “Great American Game.” A playstation controller appears. Is the game football? Video game? Or some other game? Kendrick appears crouched on a car—dozens of red, white, and blue dancers emerge, evoking both the American flag which they eventually form, as well as the gang wars between bloods and crips—or as Kendrick says in Hood Politics, “Demo-crips” and “Re-blood-icans”And what ensues is an intricately choreographed set of layered meanings, allusions, hidden references and Easter eggs—not all of which have been noticed, not to mention explained or understood.You can find links to the performance and the lyrics in the show notes.Femi Olutade on the Theology of Kendrick LamarToday's episode is an introduction to the political theology of Kendrick Lamar. And joining me is Femi Olutade, arguably the living expert on the theology of Kendrick Lamar. As a lifelong fan of hip hop, he's deeply familiar not just with music Kendrick made, but the influences that made Kendrick. Femi has written incredibly nuanced theological musicological reflections about Kendrick Lamar's 2017 album DAMN., which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music.And I became familiar with Femi's work in 2021, while listening to a podcast called Dissect—which analyzes albums line by line, note by note. They cover mostly hip hop, but the season on Radiohead's In Rainbows is also incredible. Femi joined host Cole Cushna to co-write a 20-episode analysis of DAMN., offering incredible insight into the theological, moral, and political richness of Kendrick Lamar, which repays so many replays. Forward, AND backward. Yes, you can play the album backwards and forwards like a mirror and they tell two different stories, one about wickedness and pride, and the other about weakness, love, and humility.If you want to jump to my conversation with Femi about Kendrick Lamar's Political Theology, please do, just jump ahead a few minutes.Not Just a Diss Track to Drake, but a Diss Track to AmericaBut I wanted to offer a few preliminaries of my own to help with this most recent context of the Super Bowl halftime performance.Because almost immediately, it was interpreted as nothing more than one of the pettiest, egotistical, and overkill ways to settle a rap beef between Kendrick and another hip hop artist, Drake. Some fans celebrated this. Others found it at best irrelevant and confusing, and at worst an offensive waste of an opportunity to make a larger statement before an audience of 133 million viewers.In my humble opinion, both get it wrong. Kendrick Lamar simply does not work this way.If it was the biggest diss track of all time, it wasn't aimed merely at Drake, but America. And if it was offensive, it was because of its moral clarity and force, striking a prophetic chord operating similar to a parable.Jesus and Kendrick on Prophecy and ParablesParables, according to Jesus, are meant to give more to those who already have, and take away from those who already have nothing (Matthew 13:13). Because, as the prophet Isaiah says, “seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand” (Isaiah 6:9).At this point, it's possible that you're entirely confused, and if so, I'd invite you to hang with me and lean in. Watch it again, listen more closely. Because rap, according to Jay Z, is a lean-in genre. You can't understand it without close examination, without contextual, bottom-up, historical appreciation, or without a willingness to be educated about what it's like to be Black in America.But I guarantee you that in Kendrick Lamar's outstanding choreographed prophetic theatre, there's much more going on—”there's levels to it”—to quote Lamar.You Picked the Right Time, but the Wrong GuyAnd if you want it clearly spelled out for you—a cleaner, smoother, tighter, more palatable, less subtle social commentary that can be abstracted from history, circumstance, and the genre of rap itself so that it can be rationally evaluated—well, you're occupying the exact position Kendrick is critiquing, which he prophetically predicts in the very performance itself. As he warns us:The revolution 'bout to be televised You picked the right time, but the wrong guyStill, what was that?? First, it's public performance art, so just let it land. Watch it again. Notice something new. Submit yourself to it. Let it change you.The Black American Experience in Hip Hop and Kendrick LamarAnd if you really want to understand it, you need to be open to the possibility that some social commentary can only be understood in light of certain lived experiences. In this case, at least the Black American experience. And then, rather than demanding that Kendrick explain it to you in your own vernacular, listen to what he's already said. Lean in an listen to his whole body of work, learn his story, expertly rendered in jaw-dropping lyrical performance. Drive with him through his childhood streets of Compton on Good Kid M.A.A.D. City. Journey with him from caterpillar to butterfly on To Pimp a Butterfly, look in the mirror presented before you in the Pulitzer-prize winning DAMN., hear out his messy psyche laid bare in Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers, take a ride with him in GNX…In the days following Kendrick's super bowl performance, J Kameron Carter, Professor of African American Studies, Comparative Literature, and Religion at the University of California at Irvine, called for a more in-depth study of the 13-minute performance, noting that:“[B]lack performance carries within it an interrogation of the question of country as the problem and question of US political theology and the legacy of Christian empire.”This episode isn't meant to close any books or offer a full explanation of Kendrick's performance, let alone his music, but just to lean in, and to quote Kendrick, “salute truth and the prophecy.”Production NotesThis podcast featured Femi OlutadeEdited and Produced by Evan RosaHosted by Evan RosaProduction Assistance by Macie Bridge, Alexa Rollow, Zoë Halaban, Kacie Barrett & Emily BrookfieldA Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/aboutSupport For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give