Brothers in Song

We're back with our first episode of 2022!  Thanks for your patience, friends. There are few fanbases more devoted than Taylor Swift's.  So we take a close listen to her surprise 2020 quarantine release, folklore.  What do they know that we don't?  

Season's greetings, Dear Listeners!  On this very special episode we discuss which Christmas songs should be on the naughty list and which end up on the nice list.  As a special gift for our listeners who've come along for the inaugural season of Brothers in Song, we've included a link below to a Spotify playlist containing all the songs on the nice list!  This is our last episode f...

In this episode we take another foray into classical music. Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis is extremely easy on the ears.  But will people slow down and take the time to listen in the 21st century?  This piece is technically a re-imagining of someone else's work, so we also talk about covers and what makes a good one.  There are links to the songs we discuss below.  As us...

Would you look at that?  These godfathers of metal were writing thoughtful songs about the human experience this whole time.  All you had to do was listen.  Don't worry we haven't hidden any subliminal messages in this (Hail Satan) podcast.  Helpful Links War Pigs Live 1970  https://youtu.be/K3b6SGoN6dA Tony Iommi talks about his finger injury https://youtu.be/5TyktFhsM38

Do you hate Coldplay?!  Cuz we... don't actually.  They're kind of...what's the word?  Oh yeah.  Good!  Enjoy this new episode, now with 20% more tangents and a brief cameo by Dan's cat, Holly.  Follow the handy dandy links below for more cool stuff, and follow us on Instagram! Live performance of Viva La Vida  https://youtu.be/9ldOuVuas1c Life in Technicolor II...

There's some difference of opinion here, but it doesn't quite go the way that listeners of the show might expect.  One thing we can agree on is that the musical landscape would not be the same without Patti Smith.  The world of music needs its pioneers!  Don't forget to follow us on Instagram @brothersinsong for the latest news and to link to our merch store.

The 1980's were a strange and sometimes inexplicable era, but Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing is timeless.  Naturally, we're in awe of his innovative style, but the other members of Van Halen made many meaningful contributions as well.  Join us as we go off on a tangent about 80's pop culture and discuss a band that epitomized the 80's but still managed to transcend their era.  Whe...

We're back from summer break!  It's the 50th anniversary of this landmark album.  Joe's never heard it before, so we had to fix that.  Dan hasn't heard it in quite a while, and has some different thoughts 20 years after his first listening.  Spoiler alert:  It's still genius.  It still holds up.  Follow the link below to buy shirts.  In fact, buy one in blue...

Tower of Power might be one of the most under appreciated acts of the '70's.  If you've never listened check out this gem of a ballad from their hit album, Bump City.  It tells a slightly unconventional story with cool harmonies, fun vocal improvisations, and the horns... good gravy!  The horns!   New full length episodes coming soon.  Follow us on Instagram to hear the la...

For those who don't know Jeff Buckley's music, he's largely to thank (blame?) for the version of the Leonard Cohen song, "Hallelujah" that seems to be overused for every poignant TV and movie moment of the past 15 years.  But he was so much more than that.  Though he died far too young, his unique and inimitable style has continued to inspire.  This song, the title track from his on...

This song is repetitive, tortures a circus metaphor to death, it's almost eight minutes long, and we love it!  Listen to find out why this is one of Joe and Dan's favorite Counting Crows songs.  Don't forget to buy some merch so you can get your back-to-school wardrobe looking fly! Link below. Shirts & Mugs https://brothers-in-song.creator-spring.com

On today's episode, Dan introduces Joe to one of his favorite artists, PJ Harvey and the song "Send His Love To Me."  It's an unrequited love song, yes, but it's so much more.  Simple structure, but lush instrumentation.  Common themes, but also, in-your-face and unsettling. This song is quintessential PJ Harvey if you've never heard her before. As a bonus, you also get a cell phone...

So you say you don't like opera, huh?  Well, if you have ears you should really like this.   The Quartet from Rigoletto is extremely complex, yet when it's done well, the music and performers make it seem effortless and undeniably beautiful.  "Seem" being the operative word.   Spend some time with it, and we're sure you'll agree this is some of the best music on Earth...

Welcome to our first Summer Sunday Mini Episode.  In this one we finally talk about Pearl Jam, a band we've mentioned a number of times on the program.  Alive is a great song that still holds up today, and it's now a classic rock staple.  But it's a little weirder than you might think and doesn't have a whole lot of conventional elements that make up most hit songs.  In any cas...

New York City musician Kelsey Warren (AKA Blak Emoji) joins us to share his thoughts on one of his favorites, an album so f###king good we run out of superlatives and just start cursing.  In the words of our guest, "If you don't like Stevie Wonder, I can't even trust you!"  Kelsey is a great musician in his own right, and it was awesome to talk to him.  Please follow the links below...

Things get pretty deep and philosophical on this episode.  The brothers talk about life, loss, the wonder of nature, and of course, the humbling void of outer space.  Don't worry.  Somewhere in there is music to discuss.  But that's what the best music does, right?  It gets you to think and feel things!  Per usual we ask you to check out the links below to help you en...

This sure ain't Surfin' USA!  Pet Sounds is definitely one of those landmark albums that fans would admonish us for because we didn't listen sooner.  On this installment Joe pays tribute to some of his favorite composers, and Dan falls down the research rabbit hole.  We also try to identify a bunch of weird instruments.  There's a lot to tackle here, so take the trip with us. &...

Did Dan just enjoy another pop album?  After a much needed "luftpause," we discuss John Legend's place in the culture as well as this varied and interesting 2013 album.  Joe also gives us a little pop culture trivia to start us off.  As always we nerd out on vocal stuff and provide a couple of interesting links below to help you enjoy this week's episode.  Make sure to follow u...

Did Billie Eilish just make us contemplate life, art, and the meaning of existence??  We always end the show with the tagline, "Listen to some new music.  You may surprise yourself."  This was definitely a surprise to us.  It only goes to show that repeated listening can lead you to hear things you hadn't heard before and change opinions.   We begin the episode talking abo...

It's our first foray into classical music!  If you didn't think it was possible for Joe and Dan to talk for 41 minutes about an 11 minute piece of music, you haven't been listening to the podcast very long!  As usual, you'll get a couple of tortured analogies from Dan, and Joe uses his expertise to put everything in it's proper context.  If you're inexperienced with opera or classic...

We know everyone loves In Your Eyes.   (You do. Don't you?) But what about the rest of the hit album, So, by Peter Gabriel?  Turns out there's a ton to like.  Joe takes issue with some of the more "experimental" moments on the record, while Dan can't remember anyone's name.  Not even Youssou N'Dour who contributed the distinctive vocal improvisations at the end of the aforement...

"Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark."  That's what entertainment pioneer, vocalist extraordinaire, and American icon, Nat King Cole said after his variety show, the first on network TV host by a Black person, was cancelled.  Fortunately, though he did not have a long life, Cole left a huge body of work for us to enjoy.  In this episode, the brothers go full on music nerd while dis...

More fun facts than a Dolly dress has rhinestones!  First, we have a lively talk about Parton's cultural impact and recent resurgence in popularity.  We spend the second half of the episode on Jolene. It's a short album, only 25 minutes long.  But there's so much to hear and discuss, from Dolly's lyrics and voice to the highly skilled session musicians.  Follow the links below...

"Every pod you make... Every edit you fake... Every hot take... Every mic you break, I'll be watching you..." There are some bands that you just forget how good they are.  The Police are one of those bands.  Not that every track on this 80's classic is a gem.  But the ones that are... Holy Hell!  Joe makes an astute connection to composer Phillip Glass, and Dan manages to talk...

ReAdy t0 HAvE YoUr FacE MELTED?!?!  In this episode the brothers have a nuanced discussion regarding the finer points of this thrash metal staple.  In addition, Dan tortures a couple of metaphors, and Joe needs a couple of Tylenol. Finally don't forget to check out the link below to see a very cool live performance by Megadeth that we talked about .  Whether you like this stuff...