Earbuddies

You're only as hot as your last hit, baby. In this ep, Mat and Tim return from hiatus to discuss Taylor Swift's twelfth studio album, The Life of a Showgirl . Is it great? Or is it CANCELLED!? The answer lies within! SONGS PLAYED: Taylor Swift - The Life of a Showgirl (feat. Sabrina Carpenter) Taylor Swift - The Fate of Ophelia Taylor Swift - Eldest Daughter Taylor Swift - CANCELLED! Taylo...

Note: Earbuddies will resume its regular schedule on Monday, April 21. – Get by with a little help from your buddies! In  this ep , Mat and Tim finally –  finally  – talk about the lovable lads from Liverpool. Are they actually underrated? How's that new single of theirs? And are they actually a children's band? SONGS PLAYED: The Beatles - With a Little Help From My Friends The Beatles - N...

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 McRa...

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 Win...

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 Carpent...

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...

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

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...

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...

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 -...

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...

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 f...

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 DISC...

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,...

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 re...

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...

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...

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 -...

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 cha...

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...

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&#...

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 - B...

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 - Alw...

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...

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...