Shows
Let the Music Be Your MasterHow Is This Not a Bigger Deal?!Ever listen to a song and think to yourself, “This song should be a huge hit! Why isn’t everyone else listening to it right now? Am I the only person in the world with good taste?!” Well, you’re not alone. In this episode we share songs/artists that we are positive should be way more popular than they seem to be at the moment.
2025-12-142h 14Let the Music Be Your MasterSoundtrack to the Resistance
In celebration of American Independence Day (we recorded this on July 4th), we honor all those who have the courage to resist oppression and injustice, in whatever form it happens to take. For those of you with inclinations towards resistance, we discussed possibilities for a soundtrack/playlist to steel you for the task ahead.
Listen to the playlist here:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQ0UYcHeKJCQuTitQMyhwJkNGEqWj2sGq&si=wFO9nkNyjmXnqCXj
2025-07-262h 20Let the Music Be Your Master2024 Wrapped
After a long hiatus, we’re back, just in time to tease each other about our year end wrapped (or recap, or whatever apple music does) lists. Fun Fact: the only artist to make all four of our wrapped lists: …there wasn’t one. That’s how unique we are, guys! Here’s another fun matching question:
Match the artist to the podcaster who listened to them the most:
1. White Zombie
2. Sufjan Stevens
3. Chuck Mangione
4. GZA
Answers are found in the pod.
Also, who’s list...
2025-01-282h 01Let the Music Be Your MasterAlbum Swap Round 4: Sufjan Stevens, Pink Floyd, Taj Majal, Malcolm McLaren, CorneliusOur final (for now) round of Ablum Swap. Can Steve finally appreciate Sufjan Stevens? What is Brian’s reaction to finally hearing Dark Side of the Moon for the first time? Tune in to find out.
Courtesy of thehardtimes.net:
Screenshot
2024-09-211h 42Let the Music Be Your MasterAlbum Swap Round 3: David Axelrod, Nomeansno, Los Campesinos!, Songs: Ohia, and Frank Black
Another round of Album Swap, this time featuring Brian Croxall, in which we share our thoughts on Song of Innocence by David Axelrod, Wrong by Nomeansno, No Blues by Los Campesinos!, The Magnolia Electric Co. by Songs: Ohia, and Teenager of the Year by Frank Black.
2024-08-052h 00Let the Music Be Your MasterAlbum Swap Round 2
Each of us assigned one of our fellow pod members an album to listen to and report back on. These are the results.
This episode includes:
Saved! by Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter
Moonshine Freeze by This is the Kit
Emperor Tomato Ketchup by Stereolab
Court and Spark by Joni Mitchell
Enjoy!
2024-06-141h 33Let the Music Be Your MasterAlbum SwapDid you know that last episode was the season finale of season 3? Neither did we. What makes a season in a podcast? No clue. But here we are, episode 1 of Season 4. If there was a theme or goal of season 3, it was to get a variety of guests on the pod. And I’d say we were pretty successful. We got a chance to talk with Gentry Densley, Steve Kesler, Pete Baumann, Janell Tuttle, Brian Watts, Michael Hicks, and Brian Croxall (2 or 3 times!). Great stuff. This season we’re planning on focusing on the Album as an art form. For...
2024-04-241h 41Let the Music Be Your MasterMetal From Ashes: Heavy Music from 1990-Present
The original intent of this episode was to establish the 2nd floor of the Metal wing of our Hall of Fame. The 1st floor consists of only bands/music up to 1991. So here we are picking up where we left off, focusing on heavy music from 1990ish onwards. But now in hindsight, let’s say this episode isn’t so much a permanent Hall of Fame addition as it is a current exhibition about the topic. Either way, enjoy!
2024-02-222h 21Let the Music Be Your MasterConnections
This time around we’re playing musical connections. Join us in trying to find the commonalities in each others picks.
2023-11-181h 48Let the Music Be Your MasterNew and GoodWe’re taking a break from our usual nostalgic tendencies and instead focusing on new music, or at least music that is new to us, as well as discussion of favorite methods for finding new music.
2023-07-142h 02Let the Music Be Your MasterBonus: Music and Memory (pt 2)A tribute to David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur, and Burt Bacharach.
2023-04-2951 minLet the Music Be Your MasterMusic and Memory (pt 1)Jason leads us through a discussion of how music triggers and influences our memories.
2023-04-221h 48Let the Music Be Your MasterTribute to Low (feat. Peter Baumann)
Will the night last forever?
Stay by my side
‘Cause tonight, together
Would be divine
– Low, “Will the Night”
2023-03-091h 23Let the Music Be Your MasterThe Grateful Dead (feat. Steve Kesler)
Thank you to Steve Kesler for guiding us through some great moments in The Dead’s vast collection of recordings.
2023-01-101h 49Let the Music Be Your MasterIceburn / Eagle Twin (feat. Gentry Densley)
Sometimes dreams do come true. With this episode, they came true for us as we got to sit down with Gentry Densley of Iceburn and Eagle Twin. Join us as we dig into some of his musical and literary inspirations, recording techniques, composition philosophies, and tales of debauchery at the University Mall.
2022-11-222h 24Let the Music Be Your MasterSailing the Seas of Cheese (Soft Rock part 2)This is for those of you that wanted to hear even more of our thoughts regarding Easy Listening tunes. Thank you to our guest, Janell Tuttle.
2022-11-0147 minLet the Music Be Your MasterSailing the Seas of Cheese: a voyage through the soft sounds of Easy Listening (feat. Janell Tuttle)
Jordan guides us on a tour through the mellow sounds of Soft Rock, Yacht Rock, Easy Listening, and other forms of “grown folks” music. With special guest, Janell Tuttle.
2022-10-252h 16Let the Music Be Your MasterNeil Young (Feat. Brian Watts)
This episode has been a long time coming. In case you can’t tell, we here at Let the Music Be Your Master (most of us, at least) are fans of Neil Percival Young. He is featured on our Tshirts and even our tiny little logo on your web browser tab, and I think embodies a lot of what we are trying to do as music appreciators, educators, and sometime creators. So we are happy to pay tribute to Mr. Young on this episode, and are even happier that we were joined by Brian Watts, a great fr...
2022-07-112h 38Let the Music Be Your MasterTV Theme Hall of Fame
Wherein we wax nostalgic about our favorite themes of TV shows past and present.
2022-06-202h 21Let the Music Be Your MasterVirtuosos (Feat. Michael Hicks)
In this episode we are joined by Dr. Michael Hicks, professor emeritus of music composition at Brigham Young University, to discuss the idea of musical virtuosos and share some of our favorite examples.
2022-05-072h 38Let the Music Be Your MasterGenealogy / Posterity
To kick off Season 3 of LTMBYM, we are exploring the geneology of some of our favorite bands. Jordan gave us the challenge to choose an artist from the 60’s or earlier, and then trace their musical influence lineage through the decades.
2022-03-262h 14Let the Music Be Your MasterChristmas FavouritesTune in as we wrap up 2021 (and Season 2 of LTMBYM) with some of our favorite Christmas songs. Featuring a brilliant Christmas Medley by our own Sir Ricks-a-Lot. Plus a shoutout to all our fans in Guelph, Canada!
2021-12-222h 22Let the Music Be Your Master1971: The Greatest Year in Music History? (Part 2)Tune in to check out Side B of our Songs from 1971 compilation album.
2021-12-211h 21Let the Music Be Your Master1971: The Greatest Year in Music History? (Part 1)In celebration of the 50th anniversary of all the great albums released in 1971, we visit this seminal year in music history to make our own Definitive, yes Definitive, compilation album (now available at Media Play and Sam Goody record stores nationwide).
2021-11-161h 08Let the Music Be Your MasterHip Hop Battle Royale (feat. H.T.)
Things get feisty as we nominate hip hop tracks to go head to head and see who wins. Tune in to see who has the best picks and/or the most conveniently fluid and vague definition of what does or doesn’t qualify as hip hop.
2021-09-151h 51Let the Music Be Your MasterSka Hall of Fame // Part 2
Wherein we share our picks for 3rd wave Ska, along with some ska-influenced tracks by other bands, and conclude with the best/worst ska band names of all time.
2021-08-0655 minLet the Music Be Your MasterSka Hall of Fame // Part 1
In this episode we are joined by special guest Brian Croxall to discuss his time in the local ska scene as well as induct our entries to the Ska wing of the LTMBYM Hall of Fame.
2021-07-301h 35Let the Music Be Your MasterFavorite Cover Songs - Part 2I know you’re surprised and disappointed that the best cover of all time didn’t make an appearance on our previous episode, but there’s a good chance it shows up on this one. Also featuring commentary on The Beatles from Professor Michael Hicks, and another round of Name That Tune.
2021-06-251h 09Let the Music Be Your MasterFavorite Cover Songs - Part 1
There are so many great covers to choose from, and here we share a few of our favorites and discuss what makes a cover stand the test of time. Also Steve Tells Us Something Good and Jordan sets a personal best for longest duration without mentioning Bonnie Prince Billy.
2021-06-191h 15Let the Music Be Your MasterShallow Cuts (Part 2)
We continue our exploration of the best popular songs from the 2000’s and 2010’s.
2021-05-2154 minLet the Music Be Your MasterShallow Cuts (Part 1)
In this episode we try our best to repress our music snobbery and sing the praises of popular music, specifically songs that reached the Billboard Top 10 (by an artist not shared yet on a previous episode). Part 1 covers the 80’s and 90’s.
2021-05-151h 23Let the Music Be Your MasterThe Beatles Hall of Fame (part 2)
We continue our nominations for The Beatles wing of the LTMBYM Hall of Fame.
Share your comments with us at www.letthemusicbeyourmaster.com
2021-04-091h 03Let the Music Be Your MasterThe Beatles Hall of Fame (part 1)
An exploration of the influence and legacy of The Beatles as we build them their very own wing in the LTMBYM Hall of Fame.
2021-04-061h 25Let the Music Be Your MasterTop Albums of All Time: Our Personal Canon
In this episode we discuss the value of a “canon” of albums and share our top 3 albums each.
2021-03-052h 55Let the Music Be Your MasterShelter from the StormIn this episode, along with celebrating the end of 2020, we celebrate the multifaceted power of music: its ability to energize, comfort, warn, mourn, rejoice and give hope.
2021-01-022h 11Let the Music Be Your MasterJazz Part 2This Christmas, tune in for more discussion of Jazz, including some deep cuts and honorable mentions.
2020-12-251h 11Let the Music Be Your MasterI Pledge Allegiance to the JazzOur inductees for the LTMBYM Jazz Hall of Fame. No big deal.
2020-12-182h 48Let the Music Be Your MasterReign in Metal: Bonus TracksWe explore some deep tracks that may or may not qualify as metal.
2020-11-1339 minLet the Music Be Your MasterReign in Metal: The Rise and Fall of the Holy Metal Empire
Here are our nominees for the Metal wing of the LTMBYM Hall of Fame.
2020-11-062h 05Let the Music Be Your MasterNew Wave: Part 2Believe it or not, we had more to talk about in relation to New Wave music. Including honorable mentions to the Hall of Fame and our best/worst new wave bands/songs.
ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – 24th MAY: English group Depeche Mode perform live on stage at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands on 24th May 1986. Left to right: Alan Wilder, Martin Gore, Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher. (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns)
2020-10-1749 minLet the Music Be Your MasterNew Wave Hall of FameSteve claims New Wave is the greatest genre in the history of music. But can he back up that claim? We each nominate three picks for the New Wave wing of the LTMBYM Hall of Fame.
2020-09-252h 262020-09-1832 minLet the Music Be Your MasterFunk Hall of FameWe draft our team of Funk players for the LTMBYM Hall of Fame.
Spoiler alert: This guy gets drafted pretty early. But which song? Or will there be more than one? Tune in and find out.
2020-09-131h 49Let the Music Be Your MasterBest Original ScoresAfter focusing on Ennio Morricone last time, we wanted to share some more of our favorite film scores. Enjoy! Comments? Questions? Let us know at www.letthemusicbeyourmaster.com/contact/
2020-08-142h 06Let the Music Be Your MasterTribute to Ennio MorriconeWelcome to Season 2 of Let the Music Be Your Master. With the recent passing of beloved film composer Ennio Morricone, we wanted to pay tribute to his musical genius. Join us as we listen to iconic tracks from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Mission, and more.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 16: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been digitally retouched) Italian composer Ennio Morricone performs at the O2 Arena, on February 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Redferns)
2020-08-071h 12Let the Music Be Your MasterBest of 2010's Part 3 (feat. Dr. Ricks)Dr. Steven Ricks was kind enough to record his own top 10 from the 2010’s and share it with us. Got any questions or feedback? Send us a message or voicemail at letthemusicbeyourmaster.com
2020-07-0544 minLet the Music Be Your MasterBest of the 2010's Part 2
We wrap up Season 01 of Let The Music Be Your Master with part 2 of the Best of the 2010’s, including our picks for Overrated, Underrated, and Decade Champ.
2020-06-262h 31Let the Music Be Your MasterBest of the 2010's Part 1
Check out our picks for best of the first half of the 2010’s.
2020-06-191h 48Let the Music Be Your MasterAmerica vs. The BeatlesIn this episode we attempt to answer the following question from one of our listeners: “My husband and I have been debating a question that I pose to you because I think it’s interesting. Whether you love or slightly dislike The Beatles, you can’t deny the impact they’ve had on music and their insane popularity. Question: what would you consider to be the most influential AMERICAN rock group similar to The Beatles? Is there one? All my favorite rock groups have been from England and the question has left us stumped.”
2020-06-062h 38Let the Music Be Your MasterBest of the 2000's Part 2We continue our discussion of music from the 2000’s including Sufjan Stevens, LCD Soundsystem, Broken Social Scene, and an obscure artist named Beyonce. We finish up with our nominees for Most Underrated/Overrated and Decade Champ.
2020-05-272h 09