Teaser // Randy Newman: DARK MATTER

Summary

Jokermen Podcast: Teaser // Randy Newman: DARK MATTER Release Date: November 25, 2024

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Introduction to the Episode

In the latest episode of the Jokermen Podcast, hosts Ian and Evan delve into Randy Newman's album Dark Matter. This episode marks the final discussion in their comprehensive series on Randy Newman, offering listeners a reflective and in-depth analysis of the album's themes, artwork, and musical composition.

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Album Cover Analysis

Evan (00:27):
Evan opens the discussion by commenting on the album art of Dark Matter, describing it as "anti album art." He notes the simplicity of the design—"black and white serif font, sort of a typewriter type of font. That's it done" (00:27).

Ian (00:54):
Ian concurs, highlighting the timeless quality of the cover: "It looks like it was typed out" (00:54). He appreciates the minimalist approach, stating, "I think it actually kind of is a really essential Randy Newman cover" (00:56).

Evan (01:16):
Evan draws parallels between Dark Matter and Newman's earlier works, such as Sail Away and Trouble in Paradise, emphasizing the album's deliberate simplicity: "this is what it is. Take it or leave it" (01:16).

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Comparative Analysis with Previous Albums

Ian (01:44):
Ian explores how Dark Matter fits into the broader context of Randy Newman's discography. He suggests that the album encapsulates the "COVID ethos" of maintaining authenticity amidst various renditions and collaborations, particularly referencing Newman's extensive work with Pixar soundtracks.

Evan (02:28):
Evan critiques the categorization of Newman's diverse works on streaming platforms, expressing frustration: "They gotta figure out a better way to categorize that shit. Like that's. It's ridiculous that that shows up that way on the streaming services" (02:28).

Ian (03:09):
Continuing the comparison, Ian contrasts Dark Matter with Triplicant, noting the former's loaded and multifaceted title: "Dark Matter is a pretty loaded and multifaceted title" (03:09).

Evan (03:24):
Evan reflects on the title's departure from Newman's typical nomenclature, acknowledging its unique yet fitting nature: "Dark Matter is a very not Randy Newman album title to me. And yet it still is a Randy Newman title" (03:24).

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Thematic Exploration of "Dark Matter"

Ian (03:52):
Ian posits that "Dark Matter" could also symbolize "Dark Topics," hinting at the album's deeper and perhaps more somber themes: "But it's also Dark Matter as in just Dark Topics" (03:52).

Evan (04:07):
Evan succinctly describes the album cover's simplicity: "literally four words. Four black words on a white background" (04:07), reinforcing the album’s understated presentation.

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Collaborations and Musical Contributions

Evan (04:36):
The hosts discuss notable collaborations on Dark Matter, highlighting the involvement of Matt Chamberlain on drums and Blake Mills on guitar: "Players on this album include Matt Chamberlain on the drums, of course, the Drummer on the 2019 tour, and one Mr. Blake Mills on the guitar" (04:36).

Ian (05:12):
Ian remarks on Blake Mills' role in the industry, suggesting his collaboration with Bob Dylan as a testament to his studio prowess: "He's made himself that type of studio guy" (05:12).

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Personal Anecdotes and Contextual Insights

Ian (05:28):
Adding a personal touch, Ian shares that he's enjoying a "smoked beer," a traditional German brew that aligns with the album’s "dark and smoky" aesthetic: "It's a dark and smoky" (05:28).

Evan (05:53):
Evan humorously reflects on the podcast series' conclusion, wishing for "more fireworks and excitement," but acknowledges that the series itself has been "fireworks full of fireworks and festivities" (05:53). He hints at an upcoming bonus nugget, teasing future content for listeners.

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Deep Dive into "The Great Debate"

Ian (07:08):
Ian introduces "The Great Debate," the album's opening track, describing it as "eight minutes of just pure uncut Randy" and likening it to a "Randy ballet" or "Randy opera" (07:08). He praises the density and depth of the song, noting the abundance of Randy Newman’s presence.

Evan (08:00):
Evan elaborates on the song's structure, comparing it to a stage play within a pop song: "It's sort of a stage play, you know, within a pop song type of thing" (08:00). He likens it to "Faust boiled down to a single song," emphasizing Randy's multifaceted performance where he plays multiple characters.

Ian (10:03):
Ian discusses the lyrical content, explaining that "The Great Debate" features a dialogue between scientists and religious figures in Durham, North Carolina. He highlights how Randy Newman navigates complex topics like dark matter and evolution through these characters, ultimately turning into a thematic exploration within the song.

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Notable Quotes

• Evan (00:27): "It's appropriately sort of somber and sedate introduction for an album that is, you know, relatively somber and sedate right down to the album art."

• Ian (00:56): "It's timeless record cover. I think it actually kind of is a really essential Randy Newman cover."

• Evan (01:16): "This is what it is. Take it or leave it."

• Evan (02:28): "They gotta figure out a better way to categorize that shit. Like that's. It's ridiculous that that shows up that way on the streaming services."

• Evan (03:24): "Dark Matter is a very not Randy Newman album title to me. And yet it still is a Randy Newman title."

• Ian (07:08): "Eight minutes of just pure uncut Randy."

• Evan (08:00): "It's sort of a stage play, you know, within a pop song type of thing."

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Conclusion

In this teaser episode, the Jokermen Podcast sets the stage for their final analysis of Randy Newman's Dark Matter. Hosts Ian and Evan provide insightful commentary on the album's minimalist cover art, thematic depth, and musical collaborations. They draw meaningful connections between Dark Matter and Newman's previous works, while also exploring the album's ambitious opening track, "The Great Debate." As they conclude, the hosts prepare listeners for the forthcoming in-depth episode, promising additional bonus content to commemorate Randy Newman's illustrious career.

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Transcript

[A]

Welcome back, everyone. One final time to talk about an album by Randy Newman. With us, the Jokerman podcast. The Newman Jokerman variant of the podcast.

[B]

Yeah. Nailed it, Ian. I'm Ian Evan here.

[A]

And yeah, I guess I could have been more festive with that. That was just sort of cut and dry.

[B]

Well, you know, it's appropriately sort of somber and sedate introduction for an album that is, you know, relatively somber and sedate right down to the album art, which is almost like anti album art in some ways because it just says Randy Newman Dark Matter, black and white serif font, sort of a typewriter type of font. That's it done.

[A]

Yeah, it looks like it was typed out.

[B]

Yeah, it's like kind of. It's got like that mimeographed type quality to it. You know, it's like someone like xeroxed it almost.

[A]

It's a timeless record cover. I think it's great. I think it actually kind of is a really essential Randy Newman cover. Coming in at the 11th hour here.

[B]

Wow. Sort of harkens back to like 12 songs a little bit in that it's like, you know, it's sort of a deliberate anti cover. Especially when so many of other. So many of the other Randy covers throughout the years later on, you know, are so like. The Sail Away cover is so classic. The Good Old Boys is so classic. Little Criminals, Trouble in Paradise, obviously. And now we're just like, you know, this is what it is. Take it or leave it.

[A]

But it's a great cover. I mean, I think that his covers game is pretty strong all the way through and that this one being the last anyway, up to. Up to this date album by Rand Newman. I think that it kind of sums up the COVID ethos that he's had, which is kind of like, let me do everything I can to. To not let this be confused with the. The Spanish language version, the Italian, the Japanese version of Toy Story 4 Soundtra. The barrage of the Pixar soundtracks that populate his Spotify.

[B]

They gotta figure out a better way to categorize that shit. Like that's. It's ridiculous that that shows up that way on the streaming services.

[A]

Yeah, it is.

[B]

The COVID also in the way that the last couple Randy albums have rhymed with other Bob albums. We talked a little bit about Bad Love in Time out of Mind. On the last episode, we did Harps and Angels to modern Dark Matter rhymes. Just purely on a cover level, at least. Not really anything else to do with it. But another 2017 release with a signature typeface just the title of the record. No pictures, no nothing. I speak of course of Triplicant.

[A]

I guess it's like Triplicant. It's a very different tone. Yes, I think it's great because it really does play up that the title Dark Matter is a pretty loaded and multifaceted title.

[B]

No, that's true.

[A]

Yeah, I like that. I like seeing Randy Newman next to Dark Matter. It's kind of perfect.

[B]

Yeah, it's kind of a esoteric and strange sort of title to go along with Randy Newman album. Especially coming off of the previous one being called Harps and Angels, which is a very Randy Newman album title to me. Dark Matter is a very not Randy Newman album title to me. And yet it still is a Randy Newman title. It's great.

[A]

Yeah. But it's also Dark Matter as in just Dark Topics. That's another way of reading it. I think that it kind of feels that way. Anyway, that's the COVID I don't think we can talk much more about.

[B]

Yeah, it is just literally four words. Four black words on a white background. So we've rung out what we can wring out there should also note just before we get into it or on sort of top matter levels. Interestingly, more Bob Dylan crossover here. Players on this album include Matt Chamberlain on the drums, of course, the Drummer on the 2019 tour, and one Mr. Blake Mills on the guitar.

[A]

No shit.

[B]

Yeah. So this is not rough and rowdy ways or triplicate. I think in many ways. In any ways really. But you know, I like to see put another red string up on the bulletin board.

[A]

Well, that's probably how one of the ways maybe that Blake Mills got his foot in the door. And with Dylan, I would imagine he's just like. He's made himself that type of studio guy.

[B]

Yeah, he's in with all the old heads, the go to man to make the magic happen.

[A]

I'm actually drinking on a side note, a drink that I feel like is appropriate for this. It's a smoke a smoked beer. A German smoked beer. Yeah, it's like an old, old style German beer style.

[B]

How do you smoke a beer?

[A]

Well, I think that the malt is smoked or something like that.

[B]

I see. Okay. So before it's brewed into a beer.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

The beer itself is not put into a smoker.

[A]

Yeah, it's like a 14th century recipe. I believe it's quite good. But yeah, it's dark and smoky.

[B]

Appropriate for a dark and smoky record. I guess we should just do it. We've. You know, I wish I had more fireworks and excitement and festivities planned for our going away party for Randy here. But you know, I think the whole series has been fireworks full of fireworks and festivities. And we do actually have one little extra bonus nugget coming like tomorrow if you're listening to this on the day it comes out. So I guess we'll save our goodbyes, our tearful goodbyes for then.

[A]

Yeah, I think it's appropriate that this is kind of like we're just in the crater, we're in the smoking cinder, smoldering embers of the career that we've just vanquished with podcasting.

[B]

Vanquished?

[A]

Well, we approached it and we, we talked about every record. Now it's done.

[B]

That's right.

[A]

As far as we're concerned. But it's, it's, it's. Yeah, it's time to talk about what. What is currently the final record by Randy Newman.

[B]

That's right. The Great debate.

[A]

Well, first of all, just have you. Did you know this record going into this, like listening to this recently? Cause I gotta admit, I hadn't really listened to it.

[B]

Yeah, no, I had not. This is a pretty new discovery for me. I was. Well, so there actually is one song on here that I'm very familiar with, but I'll save that for.

[A]

Because of the Monk theme song.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, I've got some fun trivia on that topic when we get there. Besides that. Yeah. Everything else pretty, pretty new to me.

[A]

Well, yeah, let's talk about it. The Great Debate. First song, eight minutes of just pure uncut Randy.

[B]

Eight minutes.

[A]

This is a Randy ballet. This is a Randy opera. This is. It's top heavy. Even though the rest of it is good. I will say that like as far as just Randy per second, you're getting just so much here. It's very dense with the man.

[C]

Welcome, welcome, welcome to this great arena, Durham, North Carolina, the heart of the research Triangle. We've come to this particular place tonight. Cause we gotta look at things from every angle. We need some answers to some complicated questions if we're going to get it right. To that end, we have here gathered some of the most expensive scientists in the world. Eminent scientists, that is. We got biologists, biometricians, we got a quantum mechanic, an astrophysician, we got a cosmologist, a cosmetician, we got an astronaut, we got astro boy, we got P doctors, she doctors, knee doctors, three doctors, got a lumberjack and a life coach. On the other side we have the true believers. We got the Baptists, the Methodists, the Presbyterians Piscal pagans are here. Pastor Hat.

[B]

Yes. Yeah, the great debate is it's longest song. Longest Randy Newman song. Right. It's gotta be eight minutes. There's not another eight minute Randy Newman song. Most of this guy's songs are like two and a half minutes. Yeah. Quite a way to start this record off the pseudo title track, of course, you know, due to the dark matter subject matter or, you know, concept that comes up, I guess, just to get our arms around this and establish what we're talking about with this song. It is sort of a stage play, you know, within a pop song type of thing.

[A]

A la Faust.

[B]

Yeah, it is kind of like Faust boiled down to a single song. In some ways. It is just Randy Newman singing, speaking. You know, his voice is the only one that you hear. You don't have other people coming in. But he is playing multiple parts throughout the song, which is this great debate between the eggheads, the scientists, the atheists, those who put their faith, in fact in numbers. And then on the other side, the true believers, I think he calls them, you know, the many Christians.

[A]

The Christians.

[B]

Christianity. Exactly. And Randy himself plays the part of, quote, unquote, Randy Newman in the middle, who has set up this great debate in Durham, North Carolina, and asked members from each community to come together and debate a variety of scientific phenomena. And then things kind of take a bit of a turn towards the end of this song and some things start to happen. But it is literally, for most of it, just this, like, testament about things like dark matter and evolution told from the point of view of several characters.