History in Five Songs Episode 304: The Best Real Estate on a Vinyl Album
In Episode 304 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin ponders the underrated power and artistry behind the opening track of side two on vinyl albums—“the best real estate” on a record—highlighting how bands like AC/DC, Golden Earring, and Rush use that spot to make bold, surprising, or rewarding musical statements for dedicated listeners.
AC/DC – “Guns for Hire”
Golden Earring – “D Light”
Derringer – “Let’s Make It”
Iron Maiden – “Killers”
XTC – “Towers of London”
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40:48
History in Five Songs Episode 303: The Stealth Platinums
In Episode 303 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the phenomenon of "stealth platinums" — albums from hard rock and metal bands that unexpectedly went platinum in the U.S. despite being critically dismissed, commercially forgotten, or largely unloved by fans.
AC/DC – “Two’s Up”
Blue Oyster Cult – “We Gotta Get Out of This Place”
Kiss – “Let’s Put the X in Sex”
Scorpions – “Hold Me Tight”
Nazareth – “Miss Misery”
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33:47
History in Five Songs Episode 302: Prog Bands’ Top Ten Seconds
In Episode 302 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin relives his favorite top 10-second moments from progressive rock bands, highlighting magical and iconic passages that encapsulate the peak musical achievements of bands like Porcupine Tree and King Crimson.
Porcupine Tree – “Fear of a Blank Planet”
King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair
Genesis – “Abacab”
Rush – “Tom Sawyer”
Yes – “Close to the Edge”
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34:50
History in Five Songs Episode 301: There’s no such thing as proto-punk.
In Episode 301 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin argues that there's no such thing as proto-punk, exploring how bands like The Saints, MC5, and The Stooges challenged the conventional labels by suggesting that many so-called proto-punk acts are better understood as neo-garage or heavy rock bands, rather than direct precursors to punk.
The Saints – “No Time”
MC5 – “Call Me Animal”
The Stooges – “Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell”
New York Dolls – “Jet Boy”
The Dictators – “Weekend”
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36:28
History in Five Songs Episode 300: The Guitar Weave
In Episode 300 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin conceptualizes the "guitar weave," a musical interplay between two guitarists, focusing on examples from bands like The Rolling Stones and AC/DC to highlight how intricate and layered guitar parts create a dynamic, conversational sound.
The Rolling Stones – “Rocks Off"
AC/DC – “Touch Too Much”
The Grateful Dead – “Terrapin Station”
Aerosmith – “Adam’s Apple”
The New York Dolls – “Human Being”
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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.
Netherlands