Sound Philosophy

Jan 20 2025 112 ep. 57 mins

Sound Philosophy Podcast artwork

A podcast exploring philosophical and interpretive approaches to the history of popular music.

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114-Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Book 4, Chapter 2

Jan 20 2025 33 mins

Eric Taxier and I discuss Book 4, Chapter 2 in Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, his treatment of the virtue of magnificence (grand spending).

113-Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Book 4, Chapter 1

Jan 20 2025 49 mins

Eric Taxier and I discuss chapter 1 of Book 4 of the Nicomachean Ethics, a chapter on the virtue of generosity.

112-J Dilla

Dec 04 2024 29 mins

This episode briefly examines two tracks produced by J Dilla: "Runnin'" by the Pharcyde and "Show Me What You Got" by Busta Rhymes. I discuss the stratification in Dilla's beats, their stuttering quality, their use and avoidance of quantization, and the response of the rappers to those beats.

111-Rhyme, Flow, Content: Eminem and Mac Miller

Nov 25 2024 39 mins

This episode explores the relationship among flow, content, and rhyme by looking at some excerpts from Eminem and Mac Miller.

110-Tool

Nov 12 2024 29 mins

This episode looks at "Sober" and "Vicarious" by Tool and discusses the release and impact of Fear Inoculum.

109-Math Rock

Nov 04 2024 30 mins

A brief look at Math Rock from a guitarist's point of view.

108-Funk Counterpoint and James Brown

Oct 18 2024 39 mins

A look at the shift from funky R&B to Funk as a standalone genre. I discuss the various elements of Funk, particularly what I'm calling "Funk Counterpoint" by examining The Meters' "Cissy Strut," and James Brown's "Cold Sweat."

107-The Bass and Larry Graham

Oct 16 2024 30 mins

This episode discusses the role of the bass in popular music, specifically in funk, and more specifically in the work of the bass player for Sly and the Family Stone (and later for his own group, Graham Central Station), Larry Graham--renowned for inventing the slap bass technique.

106-Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Book 3, Chapters 10-12

Sep 09 2024 78 mins

Eric Taxier and I finish our discussion of Book 3 of the Nicomachean Ethics by examining Aristotle's analysis of temperance.

105-Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, Book 3, Chapters 8-9

Sep 09 2024 44 mins

Eric Taxier and I continue to discuss Aristotle's take on courage.