Earbuddies

It's ok, we're ok! In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss – who else? – Tate McRae. Her third major label album debuted at the top of the Billboard chart, and she's being compared to a young Britney Spears – yet her tunes remain an enigma to many. Well, not for long! Here's your primer on Tate M.

SONGS PLAYED:

Tate McRae - greedy

Tate McRae - miss possessive

Tate McRae - one day

Tate McRae - you broke me first

Tate McRae - 2...

How does it feel?? In this ep, Mat and Tim discuss – at long last – Bob Dylan. But neither of them are Dylan Guys – instead, their discussion comes from the perspective of newcomers. How does one "get into" Bob Dylan in 2025? And what wonders await those who attempt to do so? Listen and find out!

SONGS PLAYED:

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are A-Changin'

Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind

Bob Dylan - Just Like a Wo...

Have you ever tried *this* pod? In this episode, Mat and Tim share their admiration of Sabrina Carpenter – from her vaudeville-like persona to her inspired tunes.

This episode contains explicit language.

SONGS PLAYED:

Sabrina Carpenter - Taste

Sabrina Carpenter and Rowan Blanchard - Take On the World (Girl Meets World Theme)

Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem

Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso

Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please

Sabrina Carpe...

Everybody dance now! In this ep, Mat and Tim celebrate JOCK JAMS. What's so great about music for/about sports? Trust us, we get into it!

SONGS PLAYED:

Punch Brothers - Julep

Reel 2 Real - I Like To Move It (feat. The Mad Stuntman)

Gary Glitter - Rock 'n' Roll (Part 2)

Imagine Dragons - Believer

Van Halen - Jump

Queen - We Will Rock You

AC/DC - Thunderstruck

Eminem - Lose Yourself

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army

Fall Out...

Note: Earbuddies will resume its regular schedule on Monday, February 10.

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We LOVE computers! But...

In this ep, Mat and Tim share their feelings on the rise of generative artificial intelligence in the world of pop music. Is it a useful tool for artists? Or a threat to art itself?

Sponsored by Mojave Max.

SONGS PLAYED:

Imogen Heap - Hide and Seek

Holly Herndon - Frontier

Ghostwriter - Heart on My Sleeve

Brian Eno - Discreet Music

...

Oh my! Good lord. In this episode, Mat and Tim consider the state of country music in 2025 – what's working, what's not, and what you need to know about the genre everyone wants a piece of these days.

SONGS PLAYED:

Lainey Wilson - Country's Cool Again

Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Braxton Keith - Cozy

Ella Langley - you look like you love me (feat. Riley Green)

Post Malone - Pour Me a Drink (feat. Blake Shelton)

Jo Dee Me...

That's so true! In this episode, Mat and Tim use Gracie Abrams's recent SNL performance as a jumping off point to discuss proficiency and mastery among pop music's most prominent artists – and the way that fandom culture has enabled the erosion of our expectations. It's a bit of a grumpy one!

SONGS PLAYED:

Gracie Abrams - I Love You, I'm Sorry

Gracie Abrams - That's So True (Live)

Jacob Collier - Little Blue...

Many happy returns! In this holiday episode, Mat and Tim consider why the Christmas music songbook has become so stagnant – then, after diagnosing the problems they see with the holiday music canon, they prescribe a solution that could finally thaw out the frozen genre.

SONGS PLAYED:

Andy Williams - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime

Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tr...

Ya got a podcast! With a capital P and that rhymes with E and that stands for Earbuddies. In this episode, Mat and Tim reflect on the rich history of movie musicals––from the "golden age" of the 1940s and 50s to today. Then they weigh in on the new film adaptation of Wicked. Grab your broomsticks and hang on tight!

SONGS PLAYED:

Oklahoma! – from Oklahoma!

Don't Rain On My Parade – from Funny Girl

Sixteen Going On Sevent...

On October 29th, 2024, Pitchfork published Shaad D'Souza's lukewarm review of Halsey's new album, The Great Impersonator. The same day, Halsey took to social media and called attention to D'Souza's review, inviting their followers to come after him online.

This online moment inspired music journalist Grace Robins-Somerville to write about the worsening cultural climate around fans, "stans," and toxic fand...

We're back! In this ep, Mat and Tim reflect on their time away from the pod – then they consider what the upcoming season of Earbuddies might look like thematically. Oh yeah, we're navel-gazing! Come along for the fun.

SONGS PLAYED:

Insane Clown Posse - Hokus Pokus

Alan Menken & Howard Ashman - Beauty and the Beast

Bruce Springsteen - Born in the U.S.A.

Elton John - Circle of Life

DISCLAIMERS:

Under section 107 of the ...

Or is it... Pod Buddy Summer? In this ep, Mat and Tim suspend their summer hiatus to catch up on a momentous season for pop music, spearheaded by Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX. So many killer tunes in one summer! But where do Taylor Swift and Katy Perry fit into the mix?

This episode contains explicit language.

SONGS PLAYED:

Chappell Roan - HOT TO GO!

Chappell Roan - Good Luck, Babe!

Chappell Roan - Red Wine Super...

In this season finale, Mat and Tim read excerpts from an article by Leonard Bernstein for The Atlantic entitled "Speaking of Music," published in December of 1957. Leonard's words cause the buddies to consider: what's the point of this entire podcast?

We thank you for your continued support of Earbuddies. Regular episode releases will continue in the fall of 2024. You may also receive bonus episodes in your feed as t...

The British are coming! In this episode, Mat and Tim lead the Earbuddies Army to the battlefield. On the other side: the "21st Century Mozart," Jacob Collier. Who is he? What's his deal? Why does he make music the way that he does – and what's the difference between good music and good songs?

SONGS PLAYED:

Jacob Collier - All Night Long (feat. Take 6)

Jacob Collier - Over You (feat. aespa & Chris Martin)

Lizzy M...

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 In...

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...

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 Swi...

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 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. Ha...