History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff

In Episode 350 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores albums recorded in Canada, highlighting how Vancouver studios like Little Mountain became a major destination for internatio...

In Episode 349 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin contrasts his previous celebration of career-defining concert records by spotlighting “live albums that meant little," from messy hyb...

In Episode 348 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines bands like Kiss, Foghat and others whose live albums either broke them commercially, became their bestsellers, defined their...

In Episode 347 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the intriguing phenomenon of major bands like Rush, Iron Maiden, and Nirvana whose beloved early albums—often packed with st...

In Episode 346 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin traces the parallel career arcs of Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel, comparing their conservative early albums, synchronized creative peak...

In Episode 342 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin contemplates the unusual choice of albums where the title track appears last, and examines what that placement says about the songs a...

In Episode 271, Martin dives into a collection of poignant final tracks and lyrics by various artists, exploring their prophetic or emotional significance, whether they were truly the last songs on an...

In Episode 254, Martin scoffs at 'sing songy,' goofy riffs that may undermine the band's 'seriousness' or lessen his taste for the band. Ozzy Osbourne – “Crazy Train” Aerosmith – “Shame on You” AC/...

In Episode 253, Martin explores albums that bands' fanbase want to intellectualize into being good (even if they're maybe not). Queen – “The Hitman” Black Sabbath – “Letters from Earth” Rush – “Car...

In Episode 252, Martin rebuts his friend's mockery of those people who think the Police are the best New Wave band ever (or if they're even truly New Wave)! The Police – “Omegaman” XTC – “Grass” Jo...

In Episode 251, Martin complains about 'lazy' songwriting and 'underwritten' songs. AC/DC – “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’” Van Halen – “Source of Infection” Deep Purple – “Never Before” Ted Nugen...

In Episode 250, Martin ponders the question "when has a band 'found' their future sound in one song/album?" Ted Nugent’s Amboy Dukes – “Living in the Woods” Rolling Stones – “If You Can’t Rock Me” ...

In Episode 249, Martin pays homage to Black Sabbath's song "I" and explores some "self centered" songs. Thin Lizzy – “Soldier of Fortune” Blue Oyster Cult – “Flaming Telepaths” The Damned – “These ...

In Episode 248, Martin dissects the first verse of the first track of some seminal metal gods. Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Purple Haze” Montrose – “Rock the Nation” Judas Priest – “One for the Road”...

In Episode 247, Martin wonders aloud about the meaning and intent of tracks that wrap up albums. Rush – “La Villa Strangiatto” Slayer – “Raining Blood” Black Sabbath – “Lonely Is the Word” Van Hal...

In Episode 246, Martin explores the whys and hows of band who included cover songs on their debut album. 38 Special – “Around and Around” Winger – “Purple Haze” Kiss – “Kissin’ Time” Great White –...

In Episode 245, Martin continues his dive into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep in reviews of their albums. Black Sabbath – “Laguna Sunrise” The Who – “How Many Friends” Ye...

In Episode 244, Martin focuses on the first four Led Zeppelin albums. He delves into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep within reviews of those albums covering 1969 to 1971. Je...

In Episode 243, Martin focuses on bands that are referenced to compare Black Sabbath to, for better or worse. Cream – “N.S.U.” Grand Funk – “Paranoid” Led Zeppelin – “Black Dog” Todd Rundgren – “B...

In Episode 242, Martin explores bands who replicate the magic of Judas Priest's seminal 1980 album British Steel with a simplified, straightforward killer album. Megadeth – “Countdown to Extinction” ...

In Episode 241, Martin proves to himself that he may not be as contrarian as he thinks while he picks *his* favorite albums from artists whose catalogues he knows well. Alice in Chains – “Rain When I...

In Episode 240, Martin celebrates late, great producer's Chris Tsangarides' catalog. Judas Priest – “Victim of Changes” Thin Lizzy – “Angel of Death” Tygers of Pan Tang – “Slave to Freedom” Lords ...

In Episode 239, Martin ponders who are the biggest LIVING heavy metal stars. Black Sabbath – “Shock Wave” Judas Priest – “Reckless” Guns N’ Roses – “Bad Apples” Kiss – “Any Way You Slice It” AC/D...

In Episode 238, Martin explores artists who are "creative geniuses" who surround themselves with the best musicians, collaborators and influences. Peter Gabriel – “The Family and the Fishing Net” Ki...

In Episode 237, Martin explores the subjective notion of "genius" in the craft of musicianship. Frank Zappa – “No Not Now” Snowy Shaw – “Nachtgeist” Elvis Costello – “New Lace Sleeves” Adrian Bele...

In Episode 236, Martin celebrates singers whose "top gear" is arguably their best gear. Wings – “Rock Show” Kiss – “Baby Driver” Nirvana – “Serve the Servants” Samson – “Bright Lights” Whitesnake...

In Episode 235, Martin looks at "low energy crooners" whose singing may not always be the most powerful. Blue Oyster Cult – “Mirrors” Robert Plant – “Carry Fire” Yes – “Arriving UFO” Kate Bush – “...

In Episode 234, Martin looks at "boogie rock" influenced bands who tightened or shifted their focus. Rolling Stones – “She’s So Cold” Status Quo – “Jam Side Down” Foghat – “Too Late the Hero” AC/D...

In Episode 233, Martin examines sonically dense, "over the top" hair metal songs. Van Halen – “Get Up” Kiss – “I’m Alive” Dokken – “Tooth and Nail” White Lion – “Let’s Get Crazy” Mr. Big – “Color...

In Episode 232, Martin celebrates the 'center' of the drum kit. Gillan – “I’ll Rip Your Spine Out” Led Zeppelin – “Poor Tom” Judas Priest – “Heading Out to the Highway” U2 – “Sunday Bloody Sunday”...

In Episode 231, Martin digs into bands from Black Sabbath's original stomping grounds. Judas Priest – “Never Satisfied” Trapeze – “Way Back to the Bone” Necromandus – “Nightjar” Quartz – “Pleasure...

In Episode 230, Martin looks at the 'breaks' on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Queen – “Keep Yourself Alive” ZZ Top – “Avalon Highway” Blue Öyster Cult – “Heavy Metal: The Blac...

In Episode 229, Martin looks at great pre-choruses on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time. Led Zeppelin – “Down by the Seaside” Black Sabbath – “Megalomania” Judas Priest – “Hell Ben...

In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab. Lou Gramm – “Just Between You and Me” Eric Martin – “These Are the Good Times” Fee Waybill – “Saved My Life” Kane Roberts ...

In Episode 227, Martin explores songs inspired by the Big Apple, New York City. Lou Reed – “Dirty Blvd.” Rolling Stones – “Shattered” Dictators – “Avenue A” King Crimson – “Neurotica” Dead Boys –...

In Episode 226, Martin explores artists who touch upon Bruce's world and influences. Thin Lizzy – “Having a Good Time” Bob Seger – “Feel Like a Number” UFO – “Back into My Life” John Mellencamp – ...

In Episode 225, Martin mulls over the heaviest live albums from the 1970s. Rush – “Something for Nothing” Scorpions – “Dark Lady” UFO – “Mother Mary” Ted Nugent – “Gonzo” Judas Priest – “Genocide...

In Episode 224, Martin addresses albums that suffer from poor track ordering. Van Halen – “You’re No Good” Judas Priest – “Don’t Go” Rush – “Limelight” Aerosmith – “Kings and Queens” Led Zeppelin...

In Episode 223, Martin explores bands that are hardly ever copied... except for when they are. Starcastle – “Elliptical Seasons” Blue Öyster Cult – “Baby Ice Dog” Spider – “The Morning After the Ni...

In Episode 222, Martin recalls his reactions to big debut albums of the mid-late '70s and early '80s. Ramones – “Chain Saw” Motörhead – “Lost Johnny” Van Halen – “Atomic Punk” Iron Maiden – “Runni...

In Episode 221, Martin recalls his 13 year old self's reaction to new releases from a banner year of music. Black Sabbath – “You Won’t Change Me” Aerosmith – “Lick and a Promise” Thin Lizzy – “Mass...

In Episode 220, Martin looks at bands that 'basically' skipped the hair metal route. Motörhead – “Stand” Deep Purple – “Too Much Is Not Enough” Black Sabbath – “Angry Heart” AC/DC – “Meanstreak” ...

In Episode 219, Martin. delves into '70s bands that didn't get the hair metal thing quite right. Triumph – “Hooked on You” Saxon – “We Came Here to Rock” Uriah Heep – “Rich Kid” Blue Öyster Cult –...

In Episode 218, Martin explore bands that came of age in the '70s and their forays into hair metal. Alice Cooper – “Hurricane Years” Aerosmith – “Monkey on My Back” Van Halen – “Black and Blue” Sc...

In Episode 217, Martin explores albums which share characteristics with each of the Police's five studio albums. Riot – “Angel” Graham Parker – “Discovering Japan” XTC – “One of the Millions” Rush...

In Episode 216, Martin explores what makes an instrumental improve and elevate a song. Def Leppard – “Switch 625” Eno – “Sombre Reptiles” Rush – “Leave That Thing Alone” Led Zeppelin – “Moby Dick”...

In Episode 215, Martin blabs about song titles that don't do the songs any favors. Gun – “Race with the Devil” Savatage – “Twisted Little Sister” AC/DC – “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” Led Zeppeli...

In Episode 214, Martin rhapsodizes on bands' riff-heavy masterpieces. Black Sabbath – “Iron Man” The Stooges – “I Wanna Be Your Dog” Accept – “Balls to the Wall” Metallica – “Enter Sandman” UFO –...

In Episode 212, Martin pontificates on albums that cannot be unheard. Roger Waters – “The Last Refugee” Judas Priest – “Love You to Death” Genesis – “Silver Rainbow” Mötley Crüe – “Five Years Dead...

In Episode 212, Martin explores the (arguably) most "dangerous" position in the band. Whitesnake – “Trouble Is Your Middle Name” The Beatles – “Birthday” Pink Floyd – “Remember a Day” Queen – “Fat...