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 Tree

Vince Guaraldi Trio - O Tannenbaum

Traditional Choir - God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

Gene Autry - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters - Male Kalikimaka

Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer

Dean Martin - Silver Bells

Michael Bublé - Santa Baby

Gene Autry - Here Comes Santa Claus

Gayla Peevey - I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You

The Ronettes - Sleigh Ride

Ed Sheeran - Boat

Ed Sheeran - Shape of You

THE HEADLINERS:

Ed Sheeran on His New Song for ‘That Christmas’ and His Next Album: ‘I’m Getting Back Into Big Pop’

It’s Official: Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Is History’s First $2 Billion Tour

'Wicked' Flies Past Another Huge Domestic Box Office Milestone

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

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 Seventeen – from The Sound of Music

Friend Like Me – from Aladdin

Tonight – from West Side Story

Sunrise, Sunset – from Fiddler on the Roof

Alexander Hamilton – from Hamilton: An American Musical

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2024)

Popular – from Wicked (2003)

No One Mourns the Wicked – from Wicked (2024)

The Wizard and I – from Wicked (2024)

One Short Day – from Wicked (2024)

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2003)

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2024)

Singin' in the Rain – from Singin' in the Rain

Defying Gravity – from Wicked (2024)

Kendrick Lamar – squabble up

Kendrick Lamar – hey now

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.

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 fandom. Grace's work can be found in Stereogum, Paste Magazine, The Alternative, and in her newsletter, Our Band Could Be Your Wife.

Grace joined Mat and Tim to discuss toxic fan culture – and to consider what a brighter future for music criticism and fandom might look like.

Discussed:

Stans vs. Music Journalism (Again) by Grace Robins-Somerville

Chappell Roan and the Perils of Parasociality by Grace Robins-Somerville

Songs Played:

Halsey - Lucky

Camila Cabello - I LUV IT

Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club

Charli XCX - apple

DISCLAIMER:

Under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” of copyrighted material in a manner that constitutes quotation, criticism, review, parody, caricature, pastiche, and other legal copyright exceptions. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise by infringing.