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Rating

4.7

from

90 reviews

Description

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.

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff podcast

Ancient Sabbath Reviews

2024/02/20

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 – “Black Maria” MC5 – “Miss X” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Band's British Steel

2024/02/13

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” Yes – “Owner of a Lonely Heart” Black Sabbath – “Neon Knights” Whitesnake – “Would I Lie to You” Saxon – “Stand Up and Be Counted” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contrarianism

2024/02/06

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 Die” Stranglers – “The Raven” Rolling Stones – “Lies” Ozzy Osbourne – “You’re No Different” Dio – “Night People” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Producer Chris Tsangarides

2024/01/30

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 of the New Church – “Kiss of Death” Y&T – “Breaking Away” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biggest Heavy Metal Stars

2024/01/23

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/DC – “This House Is on Fire” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Different Kind of Genius

2024/01/16

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” King Crimson – “Three of a Perfect Pair” Robert Plant – “Come into My Life” Bjork – “Black Lake” David Bowie – “Love Is Lost” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Genius

2024/01/09

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 Belew – “1967” Queen – “Flick of the Wrist” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fifth Gear Singers

2024/01/02

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 – “Love Ain’t No Stranger” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First Gear Singers

2023/12/26

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 – “Sat in Your Lap” ZZ Top – “Rhythmeen” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They Shrunk the Boogie!

2023/12/19

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/DC – “Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder” The Black Crowes – “Ozone Mama” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

OTT Hair Metal Songs

2023/12/12

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 – “Colorado Bulldog” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrating Snare Drum

2023/12/05

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” Thin Lizzy – “Massacre” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Read History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff podcast reviews

4.7 out of 5

90 reviews

KW_77 2023/04/11

Love it

I’ve been listening to this pod for a while now and Martin’s breadth of knowledge across rock music is quite impressive. He packs more information int...

Jkb22008 2021/04/01

Guru of rock

Martin is second to none with his knowledge of 70s and beyond rock acts.

marked for life 2020/11/04

Different views

Of course i dont always agree, but martin is always informative and has opened me to music i didnt know about

BranDunlap 2020/10/10

New favorite

Thanks to Martin I have discovered a lot of great influential bands I was too young to appreciate growing up. I love this podcast and highly recommend...

Johnh76 2020/05/24

Martin is the historian of rock ‘n’ roll & metal

Martin‘s episodes are well researched and well thought out. The topics he picks are very interesting and I love the way that he explains everything, i...

abbatude 2020/05/17

Super interesting

Very well done with the obsessive love and care Martin P puts into all of his work. You’ll find yourself listening to a lot of topics that you didn’t...

The Actual Hollywood Steve 2019/10/31

A motherlode for metal nerds

I've learned more about heavy metal from Martin Popoff's books than any other single source, so I was excited to see he'd started doing a podcast. And...

cjoffitt64 2019/08/14

Great listen!!!!!

I have a lot of Martin’s books and have long admired his intimacy with the rock heroes of our times. This podcast is even more interesting than his bo...

rgl7194 2019/08/06

Review in five words: This is a great podcast!

Right up my musical alley, this podcast is short, sweet, and to the point, yet packs a ton of musical history and information into each episode's aver...

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