On perhaps our most random pairing yet, we discuss the pop supernova that is Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space,” and then peer into the dark cultural mirror of Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People.”
Author: flatsharpguys
Single #1, Cliff Burton’s Bass Brilliance
This is our first “Single,” a bite sized dose of Flat Sharp that zooms in on a topic in under ten minutes. In this first single, Benjamin breaks down Cliff Burton’s legendary bass work on Metallica’s instrumental masterpiece “Orion.”
Episode #9: Metallica and Los Lobos
On this episode of Flat Sharp, we flex our commitment to a random pairing by exploring Metallica’s catastrophic anti-war opus “One” and Los Lobos’s bittersweet song on loss “When the Circus Comes to Town.”
Episode #8: John Coltrane and The Beach Boys
On this episode of Flat Sharp, we take a journey into the spiritual improvisations of John Coltrane’s “My Favorite Things,” and explore the bottomless beauty of The Beach Boys’ timeless classic “God Only Knows.”
Episode #7: Bob Dylan and Hamilton
For our latest pairing, we take a look at a haunting song from Bob Dylan’s third act within an already astounding career, as well as the title track from the new Broadway sensation, Hamilton, based on the truly American immigrant story of founding father Alexander Hamilton.
Episode #6: Billy Joel & Elton John
On our first theme episode, we compare and contrast the two most famous pop-pianists of all time. Love them or hate them, Billy Joel and Elton John performed in the vein of early rock pioneers like Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard and advanced the art of piano driven songcraft. So join us as we try to decide: who is the better piano man?
Episode #5: Michael Jackson & DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
Join us on a tour through the Quincy Jones universe as we rediscover Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror” and DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince’s “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”
Episode #4: Joni Mitchell & The Doors
Join us on a trip to 1971 as we discuss why Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” and The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm” endure as two of the era’s most iconic songs.
Immediate Action Required: Billy Joel or Elton John?
As we gear up for our first theme episode, we would like to extend an invitation for you to reach out and answer one of life’s biggest questions: Who is your piano man – Billy Joel or Elton John? Send us an email, a tweet, or even a short audio recording telling us your preference and why. Our hope is to use some of these in the episode itself as we discuss two of the most popular entertainers of the 20th century.
Emails/voice memos can be sent to: flatsharppodcast@gmail.com
Episode #3: Amy Winehouse & Elliott Smith
In our pairing of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good” and Elliott Smith’s “Between the Bars,” we discuss the intersection of sadness and beauty as we root through the past in search of connections to the present.
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