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
101
History in Five Songs 247: Wrapping Up the Album
In Episode 247, Martin wonders aloud about the meaning and intent of tracks that wrap up albums.
35 min
102
History in Five Songs 246: Covers on Debuts
In Episode 246, Martin explores the whys and hows of band who included cover songs on their debut album.
34 min
103
History in Five Songs 245: Ancient Zeppelin Rev...
In Episode 245, Martin continues his dive into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep in reviews of their albums.
37 min
104
History in Five Songs 244: Ancient Zeppelin Rev...
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 those reviews.
32 min
105
History in Five Songs 243: Ancient Sabbath Reviews
In Episode 243, Martin focuses on bands that are referenced to compare Black Sabbath to, for better or worse.
33 min
106
History in Five Songs 242: This Band's British ...
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.
33 min
107
History in Five Songs 241: Contrarianism
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.
36 min
108
History in Five Songs 240: Producer Chris Tsang...
In Episode 240, Martin celebrates late, great producer's Chris Tsangarides' catalog.
31 min
109
History in Five Songs 239: Biggest Heavy Metal ...
In Episode 239, Martin ponders who are the biggest living heavy metal stars.
34 min
110
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
111
History in Five Songs 237: Genius
In Episode 237, Martin explores the subjective notion of "genius" in the craft of musicianship.
36 min
112
History in Five Songs 236: Fifth Gear Singers
In Episode 236, Martin celebrates singers whose "top gear" is arguably their best gear.
37 min
113
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
114
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
115
History in Five Songs 233: OTT Hair Metal Songs
In Episode 233, Martin examines sonically dense, "over the top" hair metal songs.
30 min
116
History in Five Songs 232: Celebrating Snare Drum
In Episode 232, Martin celebrates the 'center' of the drum kit.
32 min
117
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
118
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
119
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
120
History in Five Songs 228: Corporate Solo Albums
In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab.
37 min
121
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
122
History in Five Songs 226: The Bruce Springstee...
In Episode 226, Martin explores artists who touch upon Bruce's world and influences.
29 min
123
History in Five Songs 225: Heaviest '70s Live A...
In Episode 225, Martin mulls over the heaviest live albums from the 1970s.
36 min
124
History in Five Songs 224: Sequencing
In Episode 224, Martin addresses albums that suffer from poor track ordering.
32 min
125
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