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. Proud part of Pantheon - the podcast network for music lovers.

Music History
Music Commentary
26
History in Five Songs 228: Corporate Solo Albums
In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab.
37 min
27
History in Five Songs 227: Inspired by New York...
In Episode 227, Martin explores songs inspired by the Big Apple, New York City.
33 min
28
History in Five Songs 226: The Bruce Springstee...
In Episode 226, Martin explores artists who touch upon Bruce's world and influences.
29 min
29
History in Five Songs 225: Heaviest '70s Live A...
In Episode 225, Martin mulls over the heaviest live albums from the 1970s.
36 min
30
History in Five Songs 224: Sequencing
In Episode 224, Martin addresses albums that suffer from poor track ordering.
32 min
31
History in Five Songs 223: Bands Rarely Copied....
In Episode 223, Martin explores bands that are hardly ever copied... except for when they are.
33 min
32
History in Five Songs 222: Recalled Reactions: ...
In Episode 222, Martin recalls his reactions to big debut albums of the mid-late '70s and early '80s.
39 min
33
History in Five Songs 221: Recalled Reactions f...
In Episode 221, Martin recalls his 13 year old self's reaction to new releases from a banner year of music.
37 min
34
History in Five Songs 220: Hair Metal Skips by ...
In Episode 220, Martin looks at bands that 'basically' skipped the hair metal route.
39 min
35
History in Five Songs 219: Hair Metal Fails by ...
In Episode 219, Martin delves into '70s bands that didn't get the hair metal thing quite right.
34 min
36
History in Five Songs 218: Hair Metal Wins by ‘...
In Episode 218, Martin explore bands that came of age in the '70s and their forays into hair metal.
39 min
37
History in Five Songs 217: This Band's (Police ...
In Episode 217, Martin explores albums which share characteristics with each of the Police's five studio albums.
35 min
38
History in Five Songs 216: Finding Value in Ins...
In Episode 216, Martin explores what makes an instrumental improve and elevate a song.
34 min
39
History in Five Songs 215: Song Title Non-Starters
In Episode 215, Martin blabs about song titles that don't necessarily do the songs any favors.
41 min
40
History in Five Songs 214: This Band's "Smoke o...
In Episode 214, Martin rhapsodizes on bands' riff-heavy masterpieces.
33 min
41
History in Five Songs 213: I can't unhear that.
In Episode 213, Martin pontificates on albums that cannot be unheard.
37 min
42
History in Five Songs 212: Drummers. Who's left?
In Episode 212, Martin explores the (arguably) most "dangerous" position in the band.
34 min
43
History in Five Songs 211: What's the point of ...
In Episode 211, Martin explores the pros and cons of bands with diverse styles.
32 min
44
History in Five Songs 210: Zeppelin and Sabbath...
In Episode 210, Martin delves into the points of comparison between two of foremost metal bands of the '70s, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.
33 min
45
History in Five Songs 209: UFO and Thin Lizzy a...
In Episode 209, Martin compares and contrasts the career paths and musical output of UFO and Thin Lizzy.
32 min
46
History in Five Songs 208: Glad They Went Poppy
In Episode 208, Martin delves into bands that 'successfully' stepped into a more 'poppy' lane.
35 min
47
History in Five Songs 207: Grunge Requiems
In Episode 207, Martin discusses songs which were written to honor 'fallen' grunge icons.
33 min
48
History in Five Songs 206: Bands That Went New ...
In Episode 206, Martin puts a spotlight on bands that put a new wave spin on their music.
33 min
49
History in Five Songs 205: Triple Crown Rockers
In Episode 206, Martin highlights rock stars who have been on three different classic albums by three different bands.
34 min
50
History in Five Songs 204: But for That One Song
In Episode 204, Martin discusses songs that "stand out" from the rest of the album and may be hard to rate.
38 min