The Big Mates provide sparkling and artistic audio commentary for Perfect Square, the live video release by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the film as originally presented on DVD and also dig into how it was made, how R.E.M. have progressed as a live band, and explore the whole 2003 World Tour.

Dig out those official DVDs to watch along...
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!

Our next episode comes out Monday December 9th!

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The Big Mates discuss writing home, adolescence, compilations and Reveal by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their analysis of the band's twelfth studio album, released in 2001. 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 discuss the summery vibe the band create, the experimental textures they utilise, and they discuss one of the band's biggest hits - Imitation of Life.

They then sum up how they feel about Reveal, how it was received at the time of release, and how that perception may have changed in the intervening years.

They also find time to explore what the band did after releasing the album, including the release of In Time: The Best Of R.E.M. 1988- 2003. They run through the compilation, including the three tracks that appear there for the first time.

What do we think of Reveal? What's the most common time? Does I'll Take The Rain end the album? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday December 2nd!

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The Big Mates discuss blood collection, hot weather, Frutiger Aero, and Reveal 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 twelfth studio album, released in 2001. 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 discuss how the band followed their experimental album, the sessions that resulted in Reveal, and the band's mood around the time.

They explore the overarching themes of the album, the marked difference in sound, and Michael Stipe's new approach to vocals. They then get started on their track-by-track analysis of the album!

How did the band react to Up? Can you fly a spaceship through Saturn? How much can Lucas sneakily eat throughout the episode? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday November 25th and will continue our analysis of Reveal.

Join the conversation on:
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Follow this link: https://bit.ly/4f9M6pu

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 provide large and damp audio commentary for R.E.M. at Glastonbury Festival 1999.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the band's first headline performance at the legendary festival, as broadcast on the BBC. They also dive into 1999 World Tour.

Head here to watch along:
https://youtu.be/DurDZkK58VE?si=uo6cKiROHH1kBJVy
Or don't - the episode works fine either way!

Our next episode comes out Monday November 18th!

Join the conversation on:
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Follow this link: https://bit.ly/4f9M6pu

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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Adam chats with Peter Ames Carlin to discuss music biographies, legendary musicians, and his new book, The Name Of This Band Is R.E.M..

Peter is an acclaimed author and biographer, known for his deep dives into the lives of music legends like Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, and Brian Wilson. His books are celebrated for their meticulous research, insightful storytelling, and the way they capture the complex journeys of these iconic artists.

Peter has new book out, called The Name Of This Band is R.E.M. It offers an intimate look at the rise, evolution, and legacy of R.E.M.

Adam and Peter explore how he gets inside the minds of these music legends, the challenges of capturing their stories, what he’s learned along the way about the creative forces that shape our culture, and what his R.E.M. biography offers that others perhaps don’t.

They talk about the socio-political position of the band, what they represent, and how that progressed over time.

The Name of This Band is R.E.M. is out on November 5th in the US, and a little later in other territories.

Our next episode is out on Monday November 11th and will see us provide commentary for the band's performance at Glastonbury 1999!

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com

Try your 30-day free trial of Zinio Unlimited today!
Follow this link: https://bit.ly/4f9M6pu

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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The Big Mates discuss night shifts, Batman, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and Up by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their analysis of the band's televenth studio album, released in 1998. 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 pick up their discussion towards the end of the album and complete their track-by-track analysis, sum up their feelings on the experiemental record, and offer up scores and highlights. They explore the legacy of the album, how it has aged over time, and how that compares to the reception of the album when it was released in 1998.

They also find time to explore R.E.M.'s contribution to the Austin Powers soundtrack, the writing of the score for the film Man on the Moon, and the standalone single The Great Beyond.

What do we think of Up? How is the album viewed now? Can you push an elephant up the stairs? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday November 4th.

Join the conversation on:
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E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com

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 retrofuturism, The Amazing Spider-man, rude dealers, and Up by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by continuing their analysis of the band's eleventh studio album, released in 1998. 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 pick up their discussion near the beginning of the album and continue their trakc-by-track analysis, discussing mood, tone, co-writing credits, Stipe's new way of writing, and the band's goal of being "fearless."

How far into the album will they get? How many Christmas songs are on the album? What have horses got to do with Westerns? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday October 28th and will conclude our analysis of Up!

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com

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 TikTok podcasts, Clip art, automatic writing, and Up 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 eleventh studio album, released in 1998. 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 discuss the fallout of a massive period of change, the effect it had on the recording sessions, and how the band handled losing a member. They also touch on how the album was recorded, and why it nearly resulted in the end of the band.

How much of a departure is this album? Is it an electronic album? Was it written by ghosts? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday October 21st and will continue our analysis of Up.

Join the conversation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whatismusicpod
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatismusicpod
E-mail: whatismusicpod@gmail.com

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!
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Donate to our podcast!
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Support the show