So So / Cool

Can you hear them? The helicopters? Well we’re sorry! We don’t have a professional podcast studio yet. At least we aren’t sitting in silence because for the second time in the last few weeks, Matthew talks us through an artist and album we were not super familiar with. This time, it’s PJ Harvey and her 2000 album, “Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.”

Join us as we share our initial impressions of Harvey’s music and bob our heads along with her subtle but frequent use of odd meters. We also dive into topics such as her elusiveness when it comes to genre, her distinct songwriting that leans heavily into dynamics and expression, debate whether we would describe this album as melodic, and look at how this record was distinctly 90s while simultaneously forging new ground and anticipating many alternative/indie music trends to come later in the decade. Because we know you love it, we also spend way more time than usual figuring out (or attempting to but failing) the time signatures. See if you can spot the 7/4 we totally glossed over. And make sure to listen closely to hear Joe and Brandon show off an alarming exuberance for Harrison Ford trivia.

Be sure to support the artists by purchasing "Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea" on iTunes or wherever you get your music.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! To get in the spirit, we’re striking the harp, joining the chorus, and donning our gay apparel, but unfortunately our blazing yule was turned off prematurely by a grumpy podcast Grinch. In this very special Holiday episode, we’re getting festive, talking about our favorite seasonal tunes, some of our guilty pleasures, and a few of those songs we may have heard one too many times.

We’re also bringing you our second trivia challenge – Yuletide edition! Find out if Matthew can avenge the stinging defeat from our last showdown. But be careful, even though it's December, there may be a spooky Spector lurking in this trivia. And join us for our listening session to find out: can Brandon convince Matt and Joe to like Michael Bublé? Will Brandon finally accept his true love for Bruce Springsteen? Can Joe successfully explain what he means by “Non-Holiday Holiday song”? All that and more!

We hope you enjoy this special episode. Thanks for taking time out of your holidays to listen, and thanks for listening all this year. Happy Holidays and Stay Frosti fans!

And as always, be sure to support the artists by purchasing their work on iTunes or wherever you get your music:

• White Christmas by The Drifters
• The Christmas Song by Nat "King" Cole
• Frosty the Snowman (featuring The Puppini Sisters) by Michael Bublé
• 8 Days (Of Hanukkah) by Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings
• Skating by Vince Guaraldi Trio
• What Are You Doing New Years Eve by Nancy Wilson
• Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town by Bruce Springsteen
• Last Christmas by Wham!
• Jingle Bells by Barbara Streisand
• Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer by Elmo and Patsy
• Carol of the Bells by John Williams
• Silver and Gold by Burl Ives
• So Much Wine, Merry Christmas by Andrew Bird
• HOLIDAY by Lil Nas X
• This Christmas by Donny Hathaway

Notable timestamps:

• 00:14:50 Yuletide Music Trivia
• 00:21:50 Start of the listening section

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Jump in your blood-red Blade Razoredster, activate the SECRET TIRES, and throw on your patent leather sweater vest because we got an episode that is packed with monster dance party-worthy jams! You won’t need Ritalin-kid-like focus this week as we bring you the second half of our conversation with Gavin and Brendan of Grüvis Malt – this time listening to and discussing their final album “Maximum Unicorn,” released in 2005. The guys share background on the making of the album and talk about some of its musical and non-musical (Muppets, being chased by bees) influences. Plus, Brandon finally confirms his long-held suspicion about the origin of one is his favorite lyrics on the album, as he had sworn he'd do several times during lunch period.

This conservation was so much fun and quite educational. Thanks to Gavin and Brendan for being such good sports. Now get out your Maximum Unicorn storybook reference guide, flip over that cassette and enjoy! And if you haven’t yet, check out Part 1 of this interview, and our episode on their album “...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam.”

BOOOBBBBBYYYYYYY!!!!!

Be sure to support the artists by purchasing "Maximum Unicorn" from iTunes or wherever you get your music. And also check out what Gavin and Brendan are up to:

• Gavin Castleton's solo work
• Brendan Bell's work under Belll and Jonny Classic
• Ebu Gogo which features 3 Grüvis members: Gavin, Brendan and Justin
• And follow The Grüvis Malt archive on Instagram

Who would've known that some boys like us would stay going nowhere? Well, if it means hanging out to talk about Björk's 2001 album, "Vespertine", count us in! This week, we discuss the soundscapes and microbeats that craft an intimate, sonic glimpse into new love. But could a discussion about musicals mark the end of love between Joe and Brandon? Tune in to find out.

Be sure to support the artists by purchasing "Vespertine" on iTunes or wherever you get your music.

Get ready for a lot of fun and excitement as we discuss Grüvis Malt's 2002 album “...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam”. This is a band we were absolutely obsessed with in high school. It all started one fateful day when they filled in for Hoobastank as the opener for Incubus at their show in Hershey, PA. Join us as we share our memories of that show, another show we saw them perform, and try to answer such questions as "is Gruvis Malt just a garage band?" and "can Matthew conceive of something new like 'Bitches Brew'?" (Spoiler: it's all lima beans to us)

Be sure to support the artists by purchasing ...With the Spirit of a Traffic Jam... on iTunes or wherever you get your music.