Pucker up! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on a sub-sub-sub-genre of emo music that was, plain and simple, made for kissin'. (And for weeping over the kisses you'll no longer get.) Plus: circling back to the presidential canine situation. SONGS PLAYED: From First To Last - Emily Secondhand Serenade - Fall For You Taking Back Sunday - New American Classic Something Corporate - As You Sleep Dashboard Confessional - Screaming Infidelities A Day To Remember - If It Means a Lot To You Daphne...

In this solo ep, Tim's thinking different! He recalls the remarkable history of the iPod and the rise of the digital music era – and suggests that the golden age of music consumption is in the rearview. SONGS PLAYED: Yuzzy - A Little Morning Jet - Are You Gonna Be My Girl Yuzzy - Running Wild U2 - Vertigo The Philadelphia Orchestra - Clair de Lune Yuzzy - Elipse Yuzzy - Thin Paper Hut Yuzzy - Snow Morning Prestige Podcast Background Music by Yuzzy: https://bit.ly/2nUbGqD DISCLAIMER: Under...

You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Earbuddies should be a bigger podcast In this tortured ep, Mat and Tim share their preliminary thoughts about Taylor Swift's eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology. As you can see from the title of this ep, they found it to be lacking! They hone in on the tunes and enter into evidence their talismans and charms, etc. SONGS PLAYED: Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department Taylor Swift - My Boy Only...

In this episode, Mat and Tim are joined by Alvin Jones, otherwise known as "The Unseen VJ" – the man who created Rap City, a long-running music video program on BET. He tells the buddies what inspired him to push for greater hip-hop representation on BET in the mid- to late-80s, and reflects on the impact his advocacy has had on the tapestry of hip-hop and rap in the decades since. FURTHER VIEWING: The 17th Annual Blacks In Wax: Hip Hop: The Music, The Culture, The Struggle at The Kennedy...

In this solo ep, Tim talks through the history – and indeed, the controversy – of Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin. It's one of the most iconic pieces of American music ever composed. But its origin story is a little complicated. Leave it to Timmy to sort it all out! SONGS PLAYED: George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue Eddie Cantor - If You Knew Susie (Like I Know Susie!) Willie "The Lion" Smith - Keep Your Temper W.C. Handy - St. Louis Blues Paul Simon - Crazy Love, Vol. II Béla Fleck -...

We could have had it all! In this episode, Mat and Tim get a bit, oh, idk, philosophical, about incredible vocalists. What does our love of great singers say about our entertainment preferences as a culture? Are we prioritizing the right things? Hmm. You'll know in about 59 minutes! SONGS PLAYED: Beyoncé - TEXAS HOLD 'EM Teddy Swims - Lose Control Adele - Rolling in the Deep Clay Aiken - Build Me Up Buttercup (from American Idol) John Legend - All of Me Carrie Underwood - Church Bells Carrie...

We're bringing buddies back! In this episode, Mat and Tim pore over the life and career of Justin Timberlake – from Mouseketeer to boy band heartthrob to swagged-up solo act and beyond. But what about his gaffes?? And what does the listening public want from JT in this day and age? Folks, you know we've got the answers. SONGS PLAYED: The Mickey Mouse Club Theme Song Justin Timberlake - Always In My Heart Justin Timberlake - Selfish Justin Timberlake - My Love NSYNC - It's Gonna Be Me Justin...

Come out, ye buddies fans! Matty's on the mic for a solo episode of Earbuddies in which he discusses Irish music and culture. Why do we Americans love St. Patrick's Day so much? What's going on with these tunes? Simply download and listen, and allow Mat to delight you with his signature demure wit and wry intellect! DISCLAIMER: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review,...

Oh! Say! In this episode, Mat and Tim dig deep into our nation's anthem: The Star Spangled Banner. They consider its strengths and shortcomings, and offer a patriotic prescription to make the song truly work for America. SONGS PLAYED: Kinsley Murray - The Star Spangled Banner Luther Vandross - The Star Spangled Banner The Star Spangled Banner (Orchestral) Gaither Vocal Band - The Star Spangled Banner Lee Greenwood - The Star Spangled Banner My Country! Tis of Thee P!NK - The Star Spangled...

We can only imagine! In this episode, Mat and Tim recall the heyday of CCM – contemporary Christian music – and bemoan the ever-narrowing sonic range found in the genre today. What happened? The answer, it turns out, is tied to money, focus groups, and someone named Becky. Oh, you guys are gonna love this ep! Get to listening! SONGS PLAYED: MercyMe - I Can Only Imagine Housefires - I Thank God Jars of Clay - Flood Newsboys - Entertaining Angels Newsboys - Love, Liberty, Disco Audio...

If you're happy and you know it, subscribe to Earbuddies! In this ep, Mat and Tim are joined by Caitlin Claessens, better known by millions as Caitie from Super Simple Songs. Caitlin discusses her status as a kids' music superstar – then, they figure out what separates the great children's tunes from the rest. SONGS PLAYED: Super Simple Songs - There's a Monster in My Tummy Super Simple Songs - Days of the Week Super Simple Songs - The Bath Song Super Simple Songs - Open Shut Them #2 Super...

Turn that up in my headphones! In this episode, Mat and Tim discuss the crucial role that producers play in the creation of pop music as we know it. DISCLAIMERS: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing. Also, nobody...

Put on your suspenders and fill your mason jars! In this ep, Mat and Tim prepare the Earbuddies Army for the coming return of indie folk – a genre that defined millennial culture 15 years ago. What are we supposed to do? How are we supposed to feel? Let the buddies figure it out for you! SONGS PLAYED: Noah Kahan - All My Love Noah Kahan - Stick Season Mumford & Sons - I Will Wait Of Monsters and Men - Little Talks Mumford & Sons - Little Lion Man The Lumineers - Ho Hey Phillip...

Sound the alarm!! In this emergency ep, Mat and Tim unpack the big moments from MUSIC'S BIGGEST NIGHT. From Tracy Chapman to Miley Cyrus, and of course, Taylor Swift's announcement of "The Tortured Poets Department". All's fair in love and poetry, I guess!

GARTH BROOKS IF YOU'RE READING THIS: OUR USE OF YOUR MUSIC IS PROTECTED BY FAIR USE PRINCIPLES UNDER THE COPYRIGHT ACT OF 1976. PLEASE LEAVE US ALONE. THANK YOU In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss the best selling solo recording artist of all time: Garth Brooks! Everyone knows who he is, but does anyone know *who he is*? It's time to find out. SONGS PLAYED: Garth Brooks - Callin' Baton Rouge Garth Brooks - Me Without You Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places Garth Brooks - Papa Loved Mama Chris...

Zzzzzz... in this palate-cleansing episode, Mat and Tim discuss a topsy-turvy cottage industry within the music industry: "functional noise." That is, white noise! What is it? Why is it so comforting? And should white noise farmers be paid by Spotify at the same rate as musical artists? Answers within! SONGS PLAYED: Vulfpeck - Fugue State Vampire Weekend - White Sky Vampire Weekend - M79 Vampire Weekend - A-Punk Vampire Weekend - Everlasting Arms Disclaimers: Under section 107 of the...

Drop and give us 100! In this centennial ep, Mat and Tim share ten lists of ten tunes (which equals one hundred. You get it!) They laugh. They cry. They look back. They look to the future. Join them! Visit Earbuddies.Army for the latest from your buddies, as well as exclusive merchandise! Click here to see all ten lists of ten songs. This link contains spoilers for this episode of Earbuddies! --- Disclaimer: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of...

Those were the best days of his life! In this ep, Mat and Tim are joined by a songwriter whose work helped define rock and pop music in the 1980s: Jim Vallance. He tells us why for him, songwriting isn’t a choice: it’s what he must do. Plus, he offers insights into his long and fruitful career writing music with Bryan Adams. SONGS PLAYED: Bryan Adams - Summer of ’69 Aerosmith - Rag Doll Bryan Adams - Don’t Ya Say It Bryan Adams - Cuts Like a Knife Bryan Adams - Heaven Heart - What About...

When good buddies go bad! From ‘irreconcilable differences of ambition’ to ‘ultimate partnership betrayal’ – so many buddies of yesteryear have gone their separate ways. What can Mat and Tim, as buddies themselves, learn from these bygone buddies to ensure that their personal and professional relationship remains fruitful and life-giving? Songs Played: Daryl Hall & John Oates - Kiss On My List The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army The Beatles - Let It Be The Civil Wars - Poison &...

Grab your pitch pipes! In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss the world's preeminent a cappella group, Pentatonix. They ask (and answer!) so many questions: Are they a Christmas band? Why do they make those faces all the time? How in the world do they sound like that? Do they actually like being an a cappella group? And so on and so forth. Buckle up, choir nerds. SONGS PLAYED: Pentatonix - Mary, Did You Know? Pentatonix - E.T. (from NBC's 'The Sing-Off') Pentatonix - Somebody That I Used To Know...

We'll pod our best for you (pa-rum-pum-pum-pum)! In this festive ep, Mat and Tim unwrap the entire history of the most important drum ever invented: the snare drum. From the nativity of Christ to the end of monoculture, we trace every boom-chick and rat-a-tat-tat throughout history. SONGS PLAYED: Traditional - The Little Drummer Boy Buddy Rich - Talk of the Town Greg Hutchinson - Drum Solo Traditional - Fife and Drum of the Revolutionary War Zac Brown Band - Chicken Fried John Philip Sousa -...

More like 'Rainy Days and Never Missing Mondays'! On this very special ep, Mat and Tim are joined by legendary songwriter Paul Williams. The award-winning musician shares stories about his career as a songwriter, including how he got into the headspace of Kermit the Frog for "The Rainbow Connection". He also discusses his work as an advocate for artists' rights and how he views generative AI in relation to music creation. Learn more about Paul's work and career here. SONGS PLAYED: The Muppets...

Please stop asking about Tim! In this, yet another solo ep, Mat takes us down into his music laboratory to analyze one of the great “middle of the road” musical groups of our time: The Carpenters. Why do so many of us only listen to them in December? Why don't we talk about their tunes very much? It's time to change things the only way Mat knows how to: for the better. -- Disclaimers: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a...

Matty's on the mic to talk about the tunes! Or rather, a single tune – one that carried an entire feature length film and ran circles around much of the music it paid homage to: That Thing You Do! -- Disclaimers: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that...