Losing My Opinion - podcast cover

Losing My Opinion

Niagara Moon and Thin Learlosingmyopinion.podbean.com
Are we sure The Wall is a masterpiece? Can Dylan legit sing well? Is McCartney actually a lazy songwriter? And what exactly is “Nixon-rock”…? These are just some of the hard-hitting questions two indie musician pals, Thin Lear (Matt) and Niagara Moon (Thomas), come in with every week, surprising each other with strange fixations, controversial opinions, and of course - songs to listen to together. Join them as they eloquently bicker over the last 90 years of recorded music history, finding the overrated, underrated, and everything weird in-between.
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Episodes

#107 - In Defense of Noah Kahan, with Sailor Down (Chloe Deely)

Massachusetts indie rocker Sailor Down is back on the pod! Thomas kicks things off with an ode to shoegaze. Chloe delivers a convincing argument as to why modern pop-star Noah Kahan is actually worth a closer look. https://sailordown.bandcamp.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Jun 26, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 109

#106 - Daddy's Busy: Steely Dan again?!

Coming off of a wild Father's Day, Matt wasn't able to deliver a segment this week. But no matter! Thomas is ready for yet anoooother discussion on Steely Dan - this time starting out with the early stuff, and seeing how close they can get to Aja before Matt throws down his headphones in disgust... https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopi...

Jun 19, 202439 minEp. 108

#105 - The art of the song outro, with Cole Fortier

Phenomenal singer-songwriter / classical composer Cole Fortier joins the show today! Thomas opens up the discussion with a look at the "Simlish Radio" phenomenon, wherein popular artists rerecord their hit songs in a made-up language for the computer game The Sims. Cole then shows several beautiful examples of outstanding outro sections in pop songs. https://www.instagram.com/colefortier/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion...

Jun 12, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 107

#104 - The truly insane "song poem industry", with Adam Kastin of Weegee

Queens rocknroller Adam Kastin is back on the pod! Thomas starts the discussion with a question - what prog rock albums should you show to someone who "hates" prog? Adam then sends the boys reeling with his deepdive into the absurd, yet beautiful subject of song poems and the "industry" behind them... Losing My Opinion Survey: https://forms.gle/4Eqpcti9BNbCtLz67 https://weegeenyc.bandcamp.com Adam's Song Poem Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dQjH8RZtl4q6YuSGbeMWc?si=rwwNaHgzSIKhmRAkO...

Jun 05, 20241 hr 15 minEp. 106

#103 - Trying to make a new Tool fan.

Matt tries his darndest to get Thomas more interested in the ultimate prog-metal band. Thomas shares songs he thinks are ideal for "clearing a room" - tunes you'd put on at a bar to get straggling customers to pack up and go home... https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

May 29, 202458 minEp. 105

#102 - The Best Bowie B-Sides.

Matt puts forth his favorite hidden gem David Bowie rarities - met with fluctuating levels of enthusiasm from Thomas. Doubling down on the "rarity" angle, Thomas shares some choice tracks from local musicians he met in the Seattle songwriter scene, circa 2017. https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

May 22, 202459 minEp. 104

#101 - The greatest Bob Dylan covers that never were.

The boys are back in podcast-town! Thomas and Matt join forces on this special themed episode to imagine their favorite hypothetical Dylan covers. https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

May 15, 20241 hr 3 minEp. 103

The 100th Episode Spectacular!

100 episodes of Losing My Opinion! Recurring guest Tom Rainey joins to provide an audience for Thomas and Matt's musical show and tell. As a special "assignment", Matt agreed to make a song in the style of Roger Waters, and Thomas in the style of Gaucho-era Steely Dan. Both share specific sources of inspiration that guided their creative journey. https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyop...

May 01, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 102

#99 - Carly Rae Jepsen is secretly a genius, with Basic Printer

Gloitchpop master Basic Printer (aka Jesse Gillenwalters) joins the pod again! Thomas shares songs with lyrics in languages that he can't understand, but that sound "important". Jesse shares some massively underrated bops from a massively underestimated musician - Carly Rae Jepsen, of all people... https://www.basicprinter.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https:...

Apr 24, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 101

#98 - The best PBS Kids theme songs, with Wallace Field

The superb MA-based indie folk rock artist Wallace Field joins the show today! Thomas initiates the discussion with a shortlist of his favorite theme songs from PBS kids shows he watched growing up (after all, he didn't have cable TV...). Wallace then showcases some of her favorite contemporary artists that hail from Australia/New Zealand. https://www.wallacefieldmusic.com/ Check out her playlist here https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/...

Apr 17, 20241 hrEp. 100

#97 - The 2006 indie songs we left behind...

Matt doubles down on the Ry Cooder appreciation with a loving retrospective on Buena Vista Social Club. Thomas looks back on some indie bands from 2006 that were hot in the moment, but that he hasn't thought about since... https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Apr 10, 20241 hr 6 minEp. 99

#96 - The amazing legacy of Ry Cooder.

Matt steers things back to the positive side, delving into all the exquisite musical facets of legendary guitarist & songwriter Ry Cooder. Thomas then piles on the drek with some notoriously tacky and dated rap from movie scenes. https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Apr 03, 20241 hr 7 minEp. 98

#95 - The Definitive Guide to Citypop, with Greg DePaul

Playwright, novelist & screenwriter (Bride Wars, Saving Silverman) Greg DePaul joins the show today! Thomas follows up on Matt's request to explain what the "citypop" genre is exactly. Greg guides the boys through a invigorating selection of fresh revivalist Americana tunes from would-be punks. "Punk-icana"? Songs Thomas played: Plastic Love - Mariya Takeuchi Itsuka - Tatsuro Yamashita Rum wa Osuki? - Minako Yoshida Peppermint Blue - Eiichi Ohtaki https://gregdepaul.com/ https://www.niagaram...

Mar 27, 20241 hrEp. 97

#94 - A solo Roger Waters hatefest, apparently...

Resident badboy Nate Safren is back on the pod! And what timing - Matt finally conducts his "punishment" segment, going over his least favorite songs from Roger Waters' solo discography. Nate then drastically changes the vibe with a deep-dive into the work of pianist/composer Leo Ornstein. https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Mar 20, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 96

#93 - A celebration of Paul Weller, with Chris Ingalls of PopMatters

Music supporter/champion Chris Ingalls is back! Thomas revs things up with a selection of his favorite tracks by The Who - an appeal to the Who skeptic, if you will. Chris then shares his love for Paul Weller, and the wonderful diverse iterations of his sound that spans decades... https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Mar 13, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 95

#92 - Nicholas Krgovich's hidden gems.

Vancouver songwriter Nicholas Krgovich is back on the show! Thomas starts the episode by finally issuing Matt his "punishment" - part of which consists of subjecting him to a ENTIRE segment dedicated to Paolo Conte and his 1987 album Aguaplano. Nicholas then takes the boys through a wonderful winding journey through the music of several highly obscure but very special artists he's been enjoying recently. https://nicholaskrgovich.bandcamp.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusi...

Mar 06, 20241 hr 9 minEp. 94

#91 - When the singer starts SCREAMING!!!

Matt presents a dreaded second installment of The Toddler Playlist. Thomas showcases notable examples of artists screaming their lungs out on otherwise "normal" songs. https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Feb 28, 202456 minEp. 93

#90 - Can you open your mind to Dream Theater? with Mike Moran

Guitarist and podcaster Mike Moran joins the show today! Matt hijacks Thomas's opening segment to talk about the soundtrack from the 1999 Schwarzenegger flick End Of Days, of all things... Mike then shares his lifelong passion for the band Dream Theater, seeing how far he can get the guys over to his side. https://coolkidslunchtable.podbean.com https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopin...

Feb 21, 20241 hr 4 minEp. 92

#89 - That was NOT on the lyric sheet, with Abigail Devoe

Album reviewer sensation Abigail Devoe is back on the pod! Thomas enlists her and Thin Lear to play another round of Guilty or Not Guilty - helping decide if his appreciation of certain "questionable" songs warrants a punishment. Abby shares some of her favorite bizarre yet wonderful vocal ad-lib moments from classic rock stars. https://www.youtube.com/@abigaildevoe https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instag...

Feb 14, 20241 hr 5 minEp. 91

#88 - Spoken word in pop music... can it work?

Matt shows off several songs from artists who briefly dabbled in the "spoken word world". Thomas asks a deceptively simple question - what's the best song for a serial killer movie? https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Feb 07, 202458 minEp. 90

#87 - What if Phil Spector hadn't been insane? with Matt Farley

Motern Media mastermind (and writer of over 25,000 songs) Matt Farley is BACK! Thomas starts the discussion with a look at Phil Spector's bizarre yet captivating output post-solo Beatles albums. Matt then shares some of his favorite tunes from a beloved unsung artist Bill Mallonee. https://moternmedia.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losin...

Jan 31, 20241 hr 8 minEp. 89

#86 - Which Sophisti-pop band is the MOST sophisticated?

Matt shares his favorite standout performances from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Thomas showcases several so-called sophisti-pop artists from the 1980s in an effort to determine the true sound of sophistication. Click here for the LMO survey ! https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Jan 24, 20241 hrEp. 88

#85 - The problem with Yargle (aka the ”Merry Quismoss” effect), with Joseph Shabason

Acclaimed Canadian composer (and "Saxman Supreme") Joseph Shabason joins the show! Thomas pushes his luck with a naive hot take on jazz - when in doubt, go to Miles Davis. Joseph then woefully discusses the phenomenon of Yargle - also known as "sexy baby voice" - a vocal affectation that far too many singers are guilty of using today. https://josephshabason.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram....

Jan 17, 20241 hr 11 minEp. 87

#84 - ”If you hate this, I win.”

Matt and Thomas ring in the new year with a special IRL episode - and a contest! Matt picks 5 songs he enjoys to show to Thomas, in the hopes Thomas will actually hate them. Thomas picks 5 songs he hopes Matt loves (and hasn't heard before). There's points! And winners and losers! Matt's wife Emely graciously joins in to keep score. https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok:...

Jan 10, 20241 hr 10 minEp. 86

#83 - The bizarre world of charity songs, with Adam Kastin of Weegee

NYC multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Adam Kastin joins the show today! Thomas gets things cooking with a critical look at songs written for Disney movies that just don't quite... fit. Adam exposes the boys to a slew of increasingly strange songs for charity from the 80's, going far beyond We Are The World... https://linktr.ee/weegeetheband https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion...

Dec 20, 20231 hr 3 minEp. 85

#82 - Songs about booze (aka hooch, sauce, giggle juice...)

Matt pays homage to the blinding talents of Nina Simone and her myriad of soulful & extremely creative cover songs. Thomas cracks open a tallboy and shows off his favorite, nuanced songs about alcohol. https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Dec 13, 202359 minEp. 84

#81 - Hit songs that these artists just gave away...

Matt plays several hit songs written by famous artists that were given to other bands to cover, begging the question - why not keep em to yourself? Thomas hosts another round of Hollywood Hack or Artiste - blind-listening to the musical projects of notable actor celebrities trying their hand at the singer-songwriter thing. https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www...

Dec 06, 202356 minEp. 83

#80 - Age Of Adz > Illinois, with Mike Farrell (aka Mt. Feral)

Fantastic NJ musician Mt. Feral (aka Mike) joins the show today! Thomas shares songs from 4 different countries, sung in 4 different languages, with zero clue what they're singing about in the lyrics - and that's ok! Mike then unleashes his piping hot take that Age Of Adz is a better Sufjan Stevens album than Illinois, and somehow doesn't get thrown out of the Zoom chat. Click here for the LMO survey ! Songs Thomas played: Bicho No Cio - Marcos Valle La donna d'inverno - Paolo Conte https://mtfe...

Nov 29, 20231 hr 4 minEp. 82

#79 - Randy Newman is our guardian angel.

Matt talks about the best songs from fake bands in movies. Yep, we cover Spinal Tap. Thomas then insists on revisiting Randy Newman's legacy and stature as a singer-songwriter (beyond Toy Story) - concluding everything was for the best. https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ https://www.thinlear.com/ X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingmyopinion/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/losingmyopinion...

Nov 22, 202357 minEp. 81

#78 - Songs with the worst album covers of all time

Tom Rainey's back on the show to hang! Matt starts with a selection of tunes from albums with all-time terrible/distasteful artwork. Can you truly judge a song by its cover? Thomas then explores the topic of songs that focus on the hardships of show business and the music industry itself, and what makes for something poignant (and not just whiny)... https://www.thinlear.com/ https://www.niagaramoonmusic.com/ Twitter ("X"): https://twitter.com/losingmyopinion IG: https://www.instagram.com/losingm...

Nov 15, 20231 hr 3 minEp. 80
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