Nevermind the Music

Which critically-acclaimed albums this year do Mark and Nichole actually kind of hate? In this week’s Sidetrack, we come back once again to discuss the eight nominees for “Album of the Year” at the 2026 Grammys. Tune in to hear our hosts deep-dive on the high and low points of this year’s crop of nominees. As a bonus: our thoughts on the “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year” categories! Check us out next week for a normal episode!Music heard in this episode: Tyler, The Creator - “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”, Tyler, The Creator - “Sugar on My Tongue”, Tyler, The Creator - “Noid”, Tyler, The Creator - “Darling, I (feat. Teezo Touchdown)”, Lady Gaga - “Abracadabra”, Lady Gaga - “Can’t Stop the High”, Justin Timberlake - “Like I Love You (feat. Clipse)”, Clipse - “Chains & Whips (feat. Kendrick Lamar)”, Clipse - “Ace Trumpets”, Kendrick Lamar & SZA - “Luther”, Kendrick Lamar - “Reincarnation”, Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber - “10,000 Hours”, Justin Bieber - “Daisies”, Justin Bieber - “Yukon”, Sabrina Carpenter - “Tears”, Bad Bunny - “Moscow Mule”, Bad Bunny - “BAILE INoLVIDABLE”, SZA - “Snooze”, Leon Thomas - “Snooze”, Leon Thomas - “MUTT”, Leon Thomas - “HOW FAST”, Doechii - “Anxiety”, Rosé and Bruno Mars - “APT.”, Huntrix - “Golden”, Bad Bunny - “DtMF”, Chappell Roan - “The Subway”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you get caught, what should you say? “It wasn’t me!” In this episode, we are lied to by the fun 2000 hit “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy and Rikrok. Nichole walks us through the ways people can use denial as a coping mechanism, while Mark paces through how rhythms can be used to help tell an engaging story…. butt naked.Other music heard in this episode: Shaggy - “Boombastic”, Shaggy - “Angel”, Sting and Shaggy - “Shape of My Heart”, War - “Smile Happy”, Pras - “Ghetto Supastar (That is What You Are)”, Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers - “Islands in the Stream”, Bee Gees - “Islands in the Stream”, Nelly - “Ride Wit Me”, Papa Roach - “Last Resort”, Christina Aguilera - “Genie in a Bottle”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Who’s ready for a feeding frenzy? This week we are joined by podcast super-host Matt Kelly from the Geekscape network to talk about the mid-90s! For a wild few years, it seemed like the record labels were signing every quirky band they could to try to recreate the magic of Nirvana. We talk trend-chasing corporations, confusing genre labels, Mark’s deep regrets, and more in this wide-ranging conversation. Check us out next week for a regular episode!Music heard in this episode: Butthole Surfers - “Pepper”, Fastball - “The Way”, U2 - “Bullet the Blue Sky”, U2 - “Staring at the Sun”, Foo Fighters - “Alone and Easy Target”, Local H - “Bound for the Floor” Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Have you ever actually tried to sleep with one eye open? In this week’s episode, we rock out to Metallica’s 1991 metal powerhouse “Enter Sandman.” Mark shows us some key changes that he finds dreamy. Meanwhile, Nichole makes a dark song event darker, looking at its meaning through the lens of childhood trauma. Off to Never-Neverland, indeed.Other Music heard in this episode: Boyz II Men - “Under Pressure”, Metallica - “Dirty Window”, Metallica - “Master of Puppets”, Metallica - “Nothing Else Matters”, Metallica - “One”, Excel - “Tapping Into the Emotional Void”, Whitney Houston - “I Will Always Love You”, Bon Jovi - “Livin’ on a Prayer”, Boyz II Men - “On Bended Knee”, Michael Jackson - “Baby Be Mine”, The Beatles - “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”, Weezer - “Undone (The Sweater Song)”, Jessica Darrow - “Surface Pressure”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is it flutist or flautist? Would you want to know the setlist before you see the concert? What’s going to be our hosts next side-hustle? It’s Season 2 and time for listener questions! See you next week for our next regular episode!Music heard in this episode: Fiona Apple - “Paper Bag”, Less Than Jake - “Hows My Driving, Doug Hastings?”, Taylor Swift - “Wood”, Taylor Swift - “Wi$h Li$t”, Taylor Swift - “Fifteen”, Drive Shaft - “You All Everybody”, Bob Welch - “Ebony Eyes”, The Clash - “White Riot”, The Clash - “Train in Vain”, Seal - “Colours”, Seal - “Still Love Remains”, Bruno Mars - “When I Was Your Man”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Are you a responsible eldest child? A spoiled youngest? This week, there are many things that we would like to say to you about Oasis’ 1995 sing-along classic “Wonderwall.” Nichole muses on a psychological theory that might explain some of the toxic family dynamics in the band, and Mark outlines the cool melodic patterns that help make this song so catchy. And, of course, Mark’s top five 90s guitar strums!Other Music heard in this episode: Foo Fighters - “Big Me”, Blues Traveler - “Runaround”, Counting Crows - “Mr. Jones”, Soul Asylum - “Runaway Train”, Oasis - “Live Forever”, Blur - “There’s No Other Way”, Elastica - “Connection”, Oasis - “Roll With It”, The Beatles - “When I Get Home”, Oasis - “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, John Lennon - “Imagine”, Soundgarden - “Switch Opens”, Toto - “Rosanna”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Can we predict the next musical revolution? We welcome Lorehounds co-host David as we unpack the Generational Music Theorem, which links major changes in popular music with the coming of age of each generation’s youth. The conversation is wide-ranging and, while we aren’t all totally sold on the theory, David brought charts so it must be true! Check us next week for a regular episode!David’s charts are here Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is it me you’re looking for? In this episode, we pine after “Hello,” Lionel Richie’s 1983 mega-hit. While Nichole falls hard for obsessive romantic delusions, Mark yearns for classic chord patterns used in interesting ways. Also, the co-hosts talk about what makes it cool to have that Jonathan Taylor Thomas poster on the wall, but not a poster of the cute boy from English class.  Other Music heard in this episode: Rihanna (feat. Calvin Harris) - “We Found Love”, Commodores - “Easy”, Faith No More - “Easy”, Lionel Richie - “All Night Long (All Night)”, U.S.A. for Africa - “We Are the World”, Gloria Gaynor - “I Will Survive”, Johann Pachelbel - “Canon in D,” P 37, Vitamin C - “Graduation (Friends Forever)”, Green Day - “Basket Case”, The Beatles - “You Never Give Me Your Money”, The Chordettes - “Mr. Sandman”, The Strokes - “15 Minutes”, Jonas Brothers - “Sucker”, Adele - “Million Years Ago”, Maroon 5 - “This Love” Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Is Thanksgiving week already too late to start talking about Christmas music? In this Sidetrack, Nichole and Mark put on their festive sweaters, spike the eggnog, and share the greatest holiday songs. What’s the laziest holiday banger? Which Jewish songwriter wrote the best Christmas song? Does Nichole finally understand what “new wave” means? Tune in to find out, and catch us next week for a normal episode!Music heard in this episode: Fugees - “Ready or Not”, Ohio Players - “Jive Turkey”, Punchline - “It’s a New Year (Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself)”, Hannah Waddingham and Jason Sudeikis - “(Christmas) Baby Please Come Home”, Danny Elfman - “What’s This?”, The Civil Wars - “Tracks in the Snow”, Taylor Swift - “Last Christmas”, Bing Crosby - “White Christmas”, Peter, Paul and Mary - “Light One Candle”, Bruce Springsteen - “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, Earth, Wind & Fire - “December”, Mykola Leontovych - “Carol of the Bells”, Mariah Carey and Justin Bieber - “All I Want For Christmas is You (Superfestive!)” Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, the team nod their heads to The Chainsmokers’ catchy dance hit “Don’t Let Me Down” from 2016. While Mark shows off some shifty rhythms, Nichole is let down by all-or-nothing thinking… and some therapists. And who’s more motivated to be at school, psych majors or music majors?Other Music heard in this episode: The Chainsmokers - “Closer”, The Chainsmokers - “Something Just Like This”, Marshmello - “Summer”, Daya - “Hide Away”, Christina Aguilera - “What a Girl Wants”, The Eagles - “Life in the Fast Lane”, Charli XCX - “Talk Talk”, HAIM - “Walking Away”, Taylor Swift - “Karma”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When is it punk to be kind and rebellious to be optimistic? We welcome Lorehound and Wool-Shift-Dust co-host Elysia Brenner to do what she does best: deep dive on pop culture through angles nobody else is taking. Using the new Superman film as a starting point, we talk the literary movement “hopepunk” as a new form of counter-culture, and wonder at the musical aspects of this unique way of looking at stories. Be sure to check out the Lorehounds podcasts and catch us next week for a regular episode!  Music heard in this episode: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - “Heads Will Roll”, Led Zeppelin - “Ramble On”, Janelle Monae - “Crazy, Classic Life”, Frank Turner - “Punches”, Billy Bragg - “The Milkman Of Human Kindness”, The Mighty Crabjoys - “The Mighty Crabjoys Theme”, Teddybearts (feat. Iggy Pop) - “Punkrocker”, The Stooges - “Loose”, Public Image Ltd. - “Public Image”, Joy Division - “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, The Verve - “Bittersweet Symphony”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why write both a melody and a chord progression when just one will do? Here our hosts follow along with the 1978 punk anthem “One Way or Another” by Blondie. Mark marvels at the simplicity and unity between the song’s tune and chords, while Nichole wonders if the modern world has lost all its toughness. And, Mark declares war on all Baby Boomers (or something). Other music heard in this episode: Blondie - “X Offender”, Blondie - “Heart of Glass”, Blondie - “Rapture”, Blondie - “The Tide is High”, Blondie - “Maria”, Bobby McFerrin - “The 23rd Psalm (Dedicated to My Mother)”, Hildegard von Bingen - “Ave Generosa”, Handel - “‘Lascia ch’io Pianga”, Pearl Jam - “Better Man” Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Who is the MVP of the best baseball teams? The ballpark organist! Our guest on this episode, Steve Hogan, is musically responsible for three World Series championships with the San Francisco Giants. We talk with Steve about the way music plays an important role in sporting events and, of course, we have to get deep into the details. Celebrate this year’s Fall Classic with a fun conversation on the unique blend of tradition and newness that is ballpark music. Next week: a regular episode!Music heard in this episode: Steve Hogan - “Woodson by Night” from ‘Elements’ by Mark Popeney, Steve Hogan - “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, Rihanna and Calvin Harris - “We Found Love”, Europe - “The Final Countdown”, Steve Hogan - “The Star-Spangled Banner”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why can’t Mark keep the Batman films straight in his mind? This week, the light hits the gloom on Seal’s 1994 baroque pop gem “Kiss From a Rose.” Mark is fascinated by the clashes between major and minor in this song, and Nichole likens that to Jung’s shadow self that lurks in all of us.Other music heard in this episode: Seal - “I Put a Spell on You”, Seal - “Crazy”, Seal - “Prayer for the Dying”, Push - “Lay it on the Line”, Tomás Luis de Victoria - “O Magnum Mysterium”, John Dowland - “Flow My Tears”, Alice in Chains - “Down in a Hole”, Gnarles Barkley - “Crazy”, TLC - “Waterfalls”, Sublime - “Same in the End”, Weezer - “Holiday”, Taylor Swift - “Betty”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When should “Crazy Mariah Carey Girl” be the first line on your resume? Music and tech executive-turned professor Bree Nguyen will tell us! On this Sidetrack, we talk with Bree about the crazy story of how one Mariah-obsessed teen was put in charge of online marketing for one of the greatest performers of all time, and turned it into a full career. Our conversation touches on wholesome fan communities, what Mariah likes to do in an elevator, and more. Our first guest is one you won’t want to miss! See you next week for a regular episode!Music heard in this episode: Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Dani California”, Mariah Carey - Fantasy (feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard)”, Mariah Carey (ft. Jay-Z) - “Heartbreaker”, Mariah Carey - “Emotions”, Mariah Carey - “Emotions (MTV Unplugged)”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Can a song be a hit when everyday people aren’t good enough to sing along? In this episode, we embarrass ourselves following along with Mariah Carey’s 1991 classic “Emotions.” Nichole goes deeper than she’s ever dreamed of about how we’re just meat puppets whose emotions are caused by a bunch of funny-sounding chemicals floating in our brains. Meanwhile, Mark is really into how Mariah goes higher than the heavens above. Also, our hosts have their monthly therapy session about imposter syndrome. Other Music heard in this episode: Tim Storms - “Lonesome Road”, The Emotions - “Best of My Love”, Alessandro Moreschi - “Hostias et Preces”, Spandau Ballet - “True”, Tears for Fears - “Change”, HAIM - “The Steps”, Third Eye Blind - “Semi-Charmed Life”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What songs explain the twisted minds of our co-hosts? In this sidetrack, Mark and Nichole share the soundtracks to their own life stages. What toys was a young Mark obsessed with? Just how evil were Nichole’s middle school bullies? Tune in to feast on our exposed guts, and check us out next week for a regular episode!Music heard in this episode: Dire Straits - “Money for Nothing”, Another Bad Creation - “Iesha”, Spin Doctors - “Two Princes”, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - “No Treaties”, Dishwalla - “Counting Blue Cars”, UB40 - “Red Red Wine”, Sublime - “Scarlet Begonias”, Blink-182 - “Going Away to College”, The Reindeer Section - “Where I Fall”, Moxy Früvous - “Michigan Militia”, The Flaming Lips - “Do You Realize??”, The Beatles - “Something”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why did it take us so long to get to Taylor? Welcome to season 2 of Nevermind the Music! Here, we look under someone’s bed and pickup that old “Cardigan,” Taylor Swift’s vibey hit from 2020. Mark has found a dreamy rhythmic trick that Taylor and producer Aaron Dressner use to weave the music forward. Nichole looks backward, talking about different kinds of memory and how they make this a great COVID-era song and album. Also, obviously, hear Nichole’s well-informed pick of the greatest NFL tight end of all time!Other music heard in this episode: Taylor Swift - “Peace”, Taylor Swift - “Invisible String”, Taylor Swift - “The 1”, Nickel Creek - “To the Airport”, Smash Mouth - “All Star”, Bare Naked Ladies - “One Week”, Prince and the New Power Generation - “Diamonds and Pearls”, Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee - “Despacito”, Taylor Swift - “Mad Woman”, Taylor Swift - “Seven”, Taylor Swift - “Cassandra”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comNevermind the Music is part of The Lorehounds Network. Join the Nevermind the Music Discord channel by visiting thelorehounds.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What were the best moments of NTM Season 1? In this finale podcast, Nichole and Mark rate their favorite songs, funniest moments, deepest thoughts, biggest misses, and more. Come back next week as we start Season 2!Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Has Mark finally gone too far? In this episode, we finally turn to Nirvana, with their iconic 1994 anthem “Lithium.” Mark writes a term paper on mic, putting his music theory skills to use for the forces of… good, or evil? Nichole takes things in a totally different but equally fancy direction, musing on solipsism, and how Kurt Cobain seems to have been exceptionally ego-dystonic for a rock star. Tune in to learn what the heck we’re talking about!Other music heard in this episode: Arnold Schoenberg - “The Book of the Hanging Gardens”, Pierre Boulez - “Le Marteau Sans Maître”, Nirvana - “Smells Like Teen Spirit”Send us your thoughts at NeverMusicPod@gmail.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy