Nevermind the Music

What would it take for you to join a cult? What if the leader looked like Lenny Kravitz? This week, we break down the 1993 retro rocker, “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz. Nichole takes the messiah-energy of the song’s lyrics and describes the methods cults use to control their followers. M...

How are we still doing this thing? To celebrate our 100th(ish) episode, we’ve brought in a heavy hitter: returning guest David from the Lorehounds. David picks our brains about our first two seasons, talking topics like our friendship, what we’ve learned from podcasting, conversations with our liste...

What did Uncle Joey do to make someone this mad? This week, our hosts tackle Alanis Morissette’s 1995 breakup anthem “You Oughta Know.” Mark tries to draw a straight line between the intensity of Alanis’s emotions and how unhinged the song’s rhythms are… before taking an opportunity to majorly over-...

No Stairway? Denied! In this week’s episode, Mark and Nichole share some artists they really love… by sharing some songs they really don’t love by those artists! Please let us know what we got wrong in the Discord or at nevermusicpod@gmail.com. Music heard in this episode: The Beach Boys - “Please L...

Another Questlove doc? That means another bonus episode! Lorehounds contributor Jean joins Mark to talk about the new documentary, Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial vs That’s the Weight of the World) . They talk about the many sides - good and regrettable - of the band’s mastermind, Maurice White,...

Does that love song really remind them of you, or is it actually their previous partner? In this week’s episode, we revel in Toto’s 1982 masterpiece “Africa.” Nichole talks about how our memories play tricks on us, and how different people react to ambiguity. Meanwhile, Mark takes us on another inve...

Have you ever hated a song or an artist only to change your mind later? This week, we are thrilled to welcome rock critic and host of the 60 Songs That Explain the ‘90s podcast, Rob Harvilla. We reveal those embarrassing times we were dead wrong about an iconic artist… and one of us may have put som...

Have you ever had that friend who seemed to change their whole personality each time they had a new relationship? No? Then you’re probably that friend! This week, we vibe with No Doubt’s 1995 radio smash “Don’t Speak.” Nichole argues that No Doubt vocalist Gwen Stefani’s changing styles is a great e...

Why do violinists hate violists? Is Flipper actually evil? We comb through the listeners’ increasingly deranged questions with another Mailbag episode! Hear listeners test Nichole’s rhythm and shill their music in another fun check-in with our audience.  Music heard in this episode: Eight Foot Manch...

Are things getting a bit companionate or maybe just fatuous? In this episode, we swoon to Kendrick Lamar and Sza’s 2024 slow jam “Luther.” Mark goes gaga over the surprising long-term trajectory of this song’s melody. Since we know our listeners always fall for a good classification system, this wee...