What Is Music?: A Music Podcast About R.E.M.

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 ana...

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 di...

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 eve...

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, f...

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 ...

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 th...

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 t...

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 perspe...

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&...

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 thought...

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 fr...

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 ...

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.

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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!
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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 th...

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...

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 littl...

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 no...

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 ...