Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of Tom Waits’s career (1973-1982) with Damon Linker.

Introducing the Band:
Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Damon Linker. Damon is a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pennsylvania, and publishes a Substack newsletter titled “Notes from the Middleground.” Follow him at @DamonLinker on Twitter.

Damon’s Music Pick: Tom Waits
There’s a world going on underground, and Political Beats is here to explore it, in all of its seedy, alcohol sodden, and extremely performative oddity. Yes, its time to begin a journey into the heart of Saturday night, as we explore the career of Tom Waits, one of the modern musical era’s most notably stubborn, and brilliant, eccentrics. It may be difficult to explain the charms of a wrecked-voiced jazz pianist sketching portraits of the dissolute Los Angeles nightlife of the mid-1970s, but during this first part of Waits’s career -- when he climbed out of the Laurel Canyon rock scene to carve his own unique furrow as an affected beat-poet drunkard -- the man’s albums speak for themselves.

During the second half of this two-part Political Beats retrospective, the gang will explore the fearless (and endlessly influential) art-rock musical turn Waits took during the 1980s. And there is true continuity between both phases -- at the end of the day, Tom Waits has never forgotten how to write a beautiful, memorable piano melody. But for now, settle in for a trip as far away from “rock and roll,” in some ways as Political Beats has ever traveled outside of Willie Nelson. Prepare to settle in with a drink and a smoke in a jazz lounge at 1:00 a.m. The night is only just getting started.

Scot and Jeff discuss Jimmy Buffett with Conor Friedersdorf.

Introducing the Band:

Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Conor Friedersdorf. Conor is a staff writer atThe Atlantic, where he writes about politics and culture, with a focus on civil liberties, and he's the founding editor ofThe Best of Journalism, a newsletter on Substack where he highlights the best nonfiction that he encounters each week. Find him on X at @conor64.

Conor’s Music Pick: Jimmy Buffett

Whether you’ve had your fins up since the ’70s or just wandered in from Margaritaville wondering what the fuss is all about, you’re in the right place. In this episode of Political Beats, we’re kicking back and diving deep into the life and music of Jimmy Buffett — the man who turned tropical escapism into a full-blown philosophy and business model.

Buffett’s career didn’t start with frozen cocktails and parrots on shoulders. He came up in the 1970s as a Gulf Coast troubadour, blending country, folk, and coastal storytelling into something all his own. His early albums like A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean and A1A earned him a devoted following, while songs like “Come Monday” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty” showed a tender, reflective side behind the laid-back image.

But then came “Margaritaville” — and everything changed. The 1977 hit launched Buffett into the stratosphere, spawning not only a signature sound but a full-fledged lifestyle brand. Over the next few decades, he built an empire: hit albums, bestselling books, restaurant chains, retirement communities, and legions of Parrotheads who came for the music and stayed for the state of mind.

In this episode, we take a sunny stroll through his albums — highlighting the iconic tunes, the underrated gems, and the occasional head-scratcher (a decent portion of the 1980s). Whether you’re here for the deep cuts or just trying to figure out what the “Coconut Telegraph” actually is, we’ve got you covered. We try to unpack the stories, the sound, and the secret sauce that made Buffett not just a musician, but a lifestyle. And we attempt to answer the question: Did Buffett make a truly great album at any point or is the Greatest Hits collection all you really need?

So pour yourself something cold, find a hammock — or a seat on the beach — and join us as we sail through the world of Jimmy Buffett: singer, storyteller, and the only guy to turn chill vibes into an empire.

Your Political Beats hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) get the opportunity to spend a little more time with singer/songwriter/bandleader/advocate/professor David Lowery (@DavidCLowery)

Now-frequent (two times is frequent, right?) Political Beats guest David Lowery returns to the show to talk about his magnificent new solo record Fathers, Sons and Brothers.

For those unaware, David is the founder of Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker as well as a long-time advocate for artists' rights. He also serves as Senior Lecturer in Music Business at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. David previously joined us for more than three hours to discuss the music created by both of his bands -- the original version is here and the remastered version (higher audio quality and additional song clips) is right here -- so we don't spend time at all reviewing that content. The new album is good enough that it deserves its own place in the sun.

As David himself describes Fathers, Sons and Brothers, "In lieu of an uninteresting written autobiography I’ve made this record. I do this not so much to tell my own story but to pay tribute to my mother, father, sisters, extended family, friends, and those who have shared their lives with me." It tells the story of his life, career, and loved ones. The songs are deeply affecting and carry a somewhat unexpected emotional heft. The closing kick -- "Vending Machine," '"Fathers, Sons, and Brothers," "Yonder Distant Shore," "Darken Your Door," "Giving Tree Father" -- is just one gut punch after another when you realize the stories being told. It’s all just further evidence that Lowery is peerless among his generation's songwriters and deserves even more acclaim than he has received.

During this conversation, we spend time trying to define the sound of the new record (we suggest an extension of Gram Parsons's "Cosmic American Music" idea), the backstories behind a few of the songs, how the album’s narrative took shape and propels the record forward, and where he finds his joy these days in performing live music. There's even a question about religion buried in here.

If you love CVB, you'll love this album. If you love Cracker, you'll love this album. If you love Political Beats, well, we're pretty sure you'll love this album. Many of the songs are cinematic in their scope; you literally can picture these scenes playing out in your mind. These tracks are elevated by spending time with the lyric sheet and appreciating the nuances and care taken in the storytelling.

Be sure to check out David and Cracker (full band and solo dates) live through the rest of the summer. He indicated a more extensive slate of dates supporting Fathers, Sons and Brothers could be on the way this fall. If you’re out and about, you might see Scot at any Detroit-area show and Jeff at any Chicago-area shows. These songs certainly deserve to be seen live.