The Big Mates provide mesmerising and entirely necessary audio commentary for Succumbs, the first video release by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the VHS/Laserdisc compilation featuring music videos and films from 1983 through to 1986. Head to YouTube to watch along: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzWrTWsV5vI&t Or don't - the episode works fine either way! Our next episode comes out Monday April 29th and will see us reflect on R.E.M.'s career so far! Join the conversation...

The Big Mates discuss Christmas tree etiquette, goose related nightmares, Flea from Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Document 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 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,...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Adam sits down with music producer, songwriter, and artist Don Dixon to discuss his work as part of the producing team for Murmur and Reckoning by R.E.M.. They talk about how Don became a music producer, how he met Mitch Easter, and how he started working with R.E.M.. They look at the differences between the two albums, as well as the challenges they faced whilst making them.  They also touch on the legacy of the albums, how R.E.M. went on to become a much bigger band, and what it is that...

BONG. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY NEWS BROADCAST. The Big Mates  discuss the newly released album Wall of Eyes by Radiohead spin-off band, The Smile. They give their first impressions and pick some standout tracks. 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...

The Big Mates provide insightful and inspiring audio commentary for R.E.M. Live at Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, in June 1984. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live performance (and a whole host of other, completely unrelated things) as broadcast on MTV.  It was filmed as part of a series on rock influences - this one focusing on folk rock. It features special guest appearances and R.E.M. preview some new material! Head to YouTube to watch...

The Big Mates discuss time travel, big diving, line dancing, and Reckoning by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by continuing and concluding their track-by-track analysis on the band's second album, released in 1984. They talk about R.E.M. going "full country," recording songs as in-jokes, and provide some more thrilling entries into the Water Watch series, before figuring out what they think of the album as a whole, how it was...

The Big Mates discuss foot injuries, binaural recording, the joy of knowing Jesus, and Reckoning 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 second album, released in 1984. 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...

The Big Mates get festive. Join us for another Christmas of mostly the same stuff as the previous ones. Are you ready for Christmas? What's your favourite Christmas? What are your favourite Christmas songs? Is Die Hard having a Christmas movies? It's all here, and it's all the same! Some games, a round of guess the intro, and some mentions of the holiday season! We'll be having a little break over the holiday period - we return on Monday January 8th, and we'll begin our deep-dive into the...

The Big Mates discuss head shapes, nostalgia, the sequel to Gladiator, and Murmur by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas conclude their track-by-track analysis on R.E.M.'s debut album, released in 1983. 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 the...

The Big Mates discuss niche British TV theme tunes, inherent emotion, time signatures, and Murmur by R.E.M. Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their track-by-track analysis on R.E.M.'s debut album, released in 1983. 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...

The Big Mates discuss small waveforms, portmanteaus, Muse, and Murmur 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 debut album, released in 1983. 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...

The Big Mates provide casual and tangential audio commentary for R.E.M. Live at the Raleigh Underground 1982. Adam, Steve, and Lucas discuss the live performance (and a whole host of other, completely unrelated things) as broadcast on TV. Shot on just two cameras and only recently remastered, the show offers an interesting glimpse into the early days of the band, performing here before they'd even released an album! Head to YouTube to watch...

The Big Mates discuss the history of rock music, torn posters, pressing mistakes, and the early days of R.E.M.. Adam, Steve, and Lucas start at the beginning, talking about the individual members of R.E.M., how they grew up, and then follow them through the early days of music making in Athens, Georgie. They touch on the musical landscape of the time, the legacy of rock music, and chart the band's musical progression all the way up to their first single release, Radio Free Europe, and the...

The Big Mates introduce Season 6 of the What Is Music? podcast. It's called "R.(w)E.M.joying This?: A Critical Analysis of the History, Cultural Impact, and Music of R.E.M." Adam, Steve, and Lucas begin their deep-dive exploration of R.E.M. by talking about their experiences with the band's music, and how much they already know. They then tackle some R.E.M. FAQs, discuss the genre they helped define, and reveal what they're most looking forward to about the season to come. The season to...