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History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Pantheon Media
History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics like tapping and twin leads. The songs serve as bricks, but Martin slathers plenty of mortar. At the end, hopefully he has a sturdy house in which this week’s theory can reside unbothered by the elements. At approximately 7000, Martin has had published in books more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting.
Latest Episodes
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- 5 days ago35 min
History in Five Songs Episode 379: Improbable Certifications
In Episode 379 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores albums with unexpectedly high sales certifications. He highlights unusual successes across live albums, greatest hits compilations, soundtracks, EPs, and unconventional studio records, spotlighting artists including Cheap Trick, Kiss, and the Clash. Cheap Trick – “Lookout” Kiss – “Let’s Put the X in Sex” Curtis Stigers – “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding” Ugly Kid Joe – “Too Bad” The Clash – “Ghetto Defendant” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 1 weeks ago37 min
History in Five Songs Episode 378: Falsetto
In Episode 378 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines the many ways rock singers use falsetto. From the theatrical and expressive styles of Queen and David Bowie to the comedic, shrieking, and novelty approaches of artists including King Diamond and the Rolling Stones, Martin goes deep on this one. King Diamond – “Little One" Queen – “Cool Cat” Halford – “Silent Screams” David Bowie – “Ashes to Ashes” Rolling Stones – “Fool to Cry” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago35 min
History in Five Songs Episode 377: Albums with Shared Birthdays: the ‘70s
In Episode 377 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines the fascinating “shared birthdays” of iconic 1970s albums. He highlights unexpected release-day pairings, musical rivalries, and the stories and connections behind these coincidental release dates. U.K. – “In the Dead of Night” Queen – “Sheer Heart Attack” Kiss – “I Want You” Max Webster – “Toronto Tontos” Thin Lizzy – “Emerald” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago33 min
History in Five Songs Episode 376: Conned by the Cover
In Episode 376 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the art of the album “con” by examining rock and metal records whose dramatic or intriguing covers may have overpromised the experience. Artists including Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, and the Clash teased darker, heavier, or more ambitious musical experience than the albums ultimately delivered. Alice Cooper – “I’m the Coolest” Uriah Heep – “Out on the Street” Jethro Tull – “Watching Me Watching You” Michael Schenker Group – “Systems Failing” The Clash – “Cool Under Heat” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 1, 202634 min
History in Five Songs Episode 375: The Catalogue Bad Boy
In Episode 375 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin contemplates the gritty, rebellious, swaggering, often dark and unapologetically uncommercial album that stands apart in a band's discography, including Van Halen, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Ozbourne. Van Halen – “Loss of Control" UFO – “Makin’ Moves” Accept – “Demon’s Night” Pink Floyd – “Sheep” Ozzy Osbourne – “Demon Alcohol” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 25, 202635 min
History in Five Songs Episode 374: Jarring Volume Differentials
In Episode 374 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines how bands such as the Pixies, Queen, and Black Sabbath use dramatic shifts between quiet and heavy passages to create tension, surprise and impact. Pixies – “Tame” Queen – “Death on Two Legs” Opeth – “Heir Apparent” Black Sabbath – “Orchid” Roger Waters – “Deja Vu” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 18, 202634 min
History in Five Songs Episode 373: Underrated Singing Guitarists
In Episode 373 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin celebrates underrated singing guitarists, exploring how artists including Brian May, Ted Nugent and Jerry Garcia are often overshadowed as vocalists by their reputations as guitarists, frontmen and songwriters. Steve Hackett – “Strutton Ground” Queen – “Sail Away Sweet Sister” Ted Nugent – “Crave” Gary Moore – “Enough of the Blues” Y&T – “Hell or High Water” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Aug 11, 202636 min
History in Five Songs Episode 372: Killed by Booze
In Episode 372 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin looks back at the tragic stories of rock and metal legends who died from alcohol-related illness and substance abuse. He including several musicians he personally interviewed, while reflecting on booze as the music world’s often-overlooked “silent killer.” Steve Hackett – “Strutton Ground” Queen – “Sail Away Sweet Sister” Ted Nugent – “Crave” Gary Moore – “Enough of the Blues” Y&T – “Hell or High Water” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff
History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff is the show that aims to make grand and often oddball hard rock and heavy metal points through a narrative built upon the tiny idea of a quintet of songs. Buttressed with illustrative clips, Martin argues quickly and succinctly why these songs - and the specific sections of these tracks - support his mad professor premise, from the wobbly invention of an “American” heavy metal, to the influence of Led Zeppelin in hair metal or to more succinct topics like tapping and twin leads. The songs serve as bricks, but Martin slathers plenty of mortar. At the end, hopefully he has a sturdy house in which this week’s theory can reside unbothered by the elements. At approximately 7000, Martin has had published in books more record reviews than anybody in the history of music writing across all genres. Additionally, Martin has penned approximately 85 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock and record collecting.
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