Welome to our podcast about musical things!

What's on NASA's Voyager Records?

Episode 205 • Oct. 6, 2017

In 1977, NASA launched two space probes carrying a special package: gold-plated records with exemplary pictures, sounds and music from Earth.

A Beginner's Guide to Metal Music

Episode 204 • Sep. 30, 2017

With help from our special guest host Eric, we dive into the mysterious world of metal and learn a few things about this complex musical genre.

An Exploration of Jingles

Episode 203 • Sep. 24, 2017

Radio & TV jingles do more than just sell products. They can incite nostalgia or become a part of pop culture. What makes them so successful?

The iPod Shuffle for Spotify?

Episode 202 • Sep. 17, 2017

This tech startup is selling portable devices specifically for playing Spotify playlists. But can it survive in the age of the smartphone?

The Rise and Fall of Ringtones

Episode 201 • Sep. 12, 2017

Remember how popular ringtones used to be? What factors contributed to their success in the mid 2000s, and why are they no longer a thing?

What's the Most Common Word in Music?

Episode 200 • Sep. 6, 2017

How have song lyrics and titles evolved over the past 100 years? Data shows us which words have faded away, and which ones have stuck around.

Which Rapper Has the Best Vocabulary?

Episode 199 • Sep. 2, 2017

Data doesn't lie! With some in-depth analysis, you can see exactly which rappers have the best (and worst) variety of words in their lyrics.

What is "Gated Reverb"?

Episode 198 • Aug. 30, 2017

This peculiar recording technique was discovered by accident in the early 1980s, and it quickly became the quintessential sound of a decade.

A Look Back at the Fisher Price Record Player

Episode 197 • Aug. 26, 2017

This classic toy with brightly-colored plastic records has inspired children for generations. And believe it or not, you can still buy one today.

Review of "A Common Wonder" by Amerigo Gazaway

Episode 196 • Aug. 19, 2017

In his latest album, Gazaway seamlessly blends the musical stylings of Common and Stevie Wonder into a lifelike rap/soul collaboration.