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
76
History in Five Songs 238: A Different Kind of ...
In Episode 238, Martin explores artists who are "creative geniuses" who surround themselves with the best.
34 min
77
History in Five Songs 237: Genius
In Episode 237, Martin explores the subjective notion of "genius" in the craft of musicianship.
36 min
78
History in Five Songs 236: Fifth Gear Singers
In Episode 236, Martin celebrates singers whose "top gear" is arguably their best gear.
37 min
79
History in Five Songs 235: First Gear Singers
In Episode 235, Martin looks at "low energy crooners" whose singing may not always be the most powerful.
35 min
80
History in Five Songs 234: They Shrunk the Boogie!
In Episode 234, Martin looks at "boogie rock" influenced bands who tightened or shifted their focus.
34 min
81
History in Five Songs 233: OTT Hair Metal Songs
In Episode 233, Martin examines sonically dense, "over the top" hair metal songs.
30 min
82
History in Five Songs 232: Celebrating Snare Drum
In Episode 232, Martin celebrates the 'center' of the drum kit.
32 min
83
History in Five Songs 231: Birmingham’s Black S...
In Episode 231, Martin digs into bands from Black Sabbath's original stomping grounds.
28 min
84
History in Five Songs 230: My Shadow Top Five: ...
In Episode 230, Martin looks at the 'breaks' on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time.
34 min
85
History in Five Songs 229: My Top Five Albums: ...
In Episode 229, Martin looks at great pre-choruses on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time.
32 min
86
History in Five Songs 228: Corporate Solo Albums
In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab.
37 min
87
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
88
History in Five Songs 226: The Bruce Springstee...
In Episode 226, Martin explores artists who touch upon Bruce's world and influences.
29 min
89
History in Five Songs 225: Heaviest '70s Live A...
In Episode 225, Martin mulls over the heaviest live albums from the 1970s.
36 min
90
History in Five Songs 224: Sequencing
In Episode 224, Martin addresses albums that suffer from poor track ordering.
32 min
91
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
92
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
93
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
94
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
95
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
96
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
97
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
98
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
99
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
100
History in Five Songs 214: This Band's "Smoke o...
In Episode 214, Martin rhapsodizes on bands' riff-heavy masterpieces.
33 min