Mark and Sarah Talk About Songs

26/05/2025

We're back! In our off-mic lives, we started talking about Billy Joel's album "Glass Houses," and then we realized we needed to rank every song. (Yes, we needed to!) Please enjoy this one-off episode, which also features Dan Rogge, a longtime friend of the show.

Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs Billy Joel’s “Glass Houses,” Ranked (with Dan Rogge!) May 26, 2025 Where to Listen RSS iTunes Don’t ask us why* we decided to hurl a rock at William Joel’s 1980 release, “Glass Houses” — but we’re ranking that album with the help of Ambassador To Lon...

11/02/2025

Hello Listeners,

For nine years now, we've had an incredible time creating MASTAS and sharing it with you -- we really have loved every minute. But for now, we're putting the podcast on hiatus.

We're both fine! We're not getting pod-divorced or anything; we're just pausing MASTAS. We fully expect to create something else together in the future, so if you stay subscribed to this page, then you'll be the first ones to learn about whatever comes next.

Meanwhile, if you want to keep reading our work, you can find Mark at The Lost Songs Project (https://lostsongs.substack.com) and Sarah at Best Evidence (https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/true-crime/).

We truly cannot thank you enough for your support over the years. We look forward to seeing you in the future.

-- Mark & Sarah

03/02/2025

Now that the Grammys are over, it's time for our deep dive into the major categories, our frustrations with the electric clarinet, and our not-so-secret wish to get some alone time with Shaboozey. Listen in!

Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs Grammys 2025: Underdogs and Roller Rinks February 3, 2025 Where to Listen RSS iTunes We end the Best New Artist season where it all began for the podcast: the Grammys. We’re talking today about the 67th Grammy Awards’ “big 4” categories, plus a couple of wildc...

23/12/2024

It's the season finale! As we finish our tour through Best New Artist Grammy winners, we consider what makes Chance a rapper, Samara a joy, and Dua... um... a lipa.

LISTEN: https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-08-2017-2024/

18/12/2024

It's Mark! I'm happy to share my top 10 songs of 2024. I hope you enjoy this list, and I hope you heard lots of great music this year.

It's the thrilling conclusion to my year in music round-up!

16/12/2024

Our penultimate Best New Artist Breakdown moves into the teens; we’re talking about Amy Clonehouses, lost anthems of lady rage, gold-watch nominations, the Overton window of band-name ludicrosity, and much more. Grab those Kendrick Lamar seminar syllabi and have a listen!

https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-07-2009-2016/

09/12/2024

As the Best New Artist Breakdown season rounds the millennium turn, we're talking about which band is playing when Jennifer Love Hewitt flees a serial killer, artists we should like on paper but fall asleep to in practice, the music of shampoo ads, and the most basic room in each of our hearts. Prepare the way for Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood, Norah Jones, and so many more.

LISTEN: https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-06-2001-2008/

02/12/2024

Our Best New Artist Breakdown season brings us to the Grammy wins for Arrested Development, Sheryl Crow, Xtina, and so many more. Plus, we get into a whole thing about Hootie and the Blowfish's surprising fall into obscurity.

LISTEN: https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-05-1993-2000/

25/11/2024

Our tour through the Grammy winners for Best New Artist continues with a batch of victors from the 80s and early 90s. We've got great winners, indefensible losers, and tracks that are more branding exercise than song. LISTEN: https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-04-1993-2000/

18/11/2024

The Best New Artist season continues! We're visiting victims of the "Best New Artist curse," savoring the bicycle in a Sheena Easton video, and remembering the year that Boy George and Annie Lennox made the category a haven for drag.
LISTEN: https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-03-1977-1984/

11/11/2024

We continue our look at Grammy winners for Best New Artist by wading into the 70s. Join us for ruminations on inessential classic rock, how Karen Carpenter and Judy Garland can take you whenever they are, holding your nose and throwing your vote at the nomination dartboard, and more. https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-02-1969-1976/

04/11/2024

Our new season begins! In Best New Artist Breakdown, we're looking at all 64 winners in one of the Grammys' most contentious categories. Who deserved it? Who's got us scratching our heads? And who the heck are the Swingle Singers? Our first episode covers the first 10 winners, from Bobby Darin to Bobbie Gentry (and two more Bobs in between.)

LISTEN: https://bleav.com/shows/mark-and-sarah-talk-about-songs/episodes/best-new-artist-breakdown-01-1960-1968/