Political Beats
-
Political Beats: 1983, The Year In Music
Welcome to the October 2026 Exclusive Content episode of Political Beats, as we bring back our ever-popular “Year In Music” series. Big hair, synthesizers, power ballads, and blockbuster albums: 1983 was a year when pop music got bigger, bolder, and glossier. Def Leppard and ZZ Top were reinventing rock for the MTV era, while Bonnie… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: The Cure, Part One
Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of The Cure’s career (1978-1984) with Derek Wilczynski. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Derek Wilczynski. Derek is a Michigan attorney with a trial practice, as well as treasurer for the Macomb County Republican Party. Derek’s Musical Pick:… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Songs About Money and Wealth
A couple of weeks ago, I saw this post from the Wall Street Journal Opinion section: If you’re anything like me, your first thought is something like, “Wait. That’s not actually true.” And then your brain turns to thinking about all the songs in the pop/rock world (not to mention country and elsewhere) that are… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Beck, Remastered
In case you haven’t heard, Beck has a new album out later this month, titled Ride Lonesome. It’s his first since 2019, so it seemed like a good opportunity to review what we’ve said about this great artist. We guy way, way back for this one, which was Episode Five! You can hear the format… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Spoon, Revisited
During our annual “Ask Us Anything” shows, we usually put out a call for ideas for out Exclusive Content show. And one of the most frequent requests is some sort of extension of prior episodes, covering newlly-released albums from bands that have been covered. Until now, it never really seemed to make sense. But Jeff… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Steely Dan
Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Eli Lake. Eli is a columnist for The Free Press, contributing editor at Commentary, and host of Breaking History. You can follow him on Twitter/x @EliLake. Eli’s Music Pick: Steely DanIn what is likely the last of our past episodes to be completely re-recorded, we… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Sleater-Kinney
Scot and Jeff discuss Sleater-Kinney with Nic Rowan. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Nic Rowan. Nic is managing editor of The Lamp, a Catholic literary journal. You can follow him on Twitter/x @NicXTempore. Nic’s Music Pick: Sleater-Kinney When people talk about the greatest American rock bands of… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Songs About Los Angeles
Previously, Political Beats took a musical trip through New York City, a place of towering ambition, crowded streets, and endless inspiration for songwriters. This month, we’re heading three thousand miles west for our June 2026 Exclusive Content. Los Angeles occupies a different place in the American imagination. New York is often portrayed as a city… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: XTC [Part 2]
Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of XTC’s career (1984-2000) with Andrew Gretes. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Andrew Gretes. Andrew is a fiction writer teaching creative rhetoric at Georgetown and George Washington University. You can find his work at andrewgretes.com. Andrew’s Music Pick: XTC, Pt. 2… Continue reading
-
Political Beats: Greatest Living Songwriters (Not on NYT List)
Who are the greatest living songwriters working today? Well, the New York Times recently submitted their list of Americans who made the cut and boy did people have things to say about it. Us, too! This month, for our May 2026 Exclusive Content episode, we dig into the artists we think deserve a place alongside… Continue reading
