History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff

In Episode 377 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines the fascinating “shared birthdays” of iconic 1970s albums. He highlights unexpected release-day pairings, musical rivalries, and the stories and connections behind these coincidental release dates.

U.K. – “In the Dead of Night”

Queen – “Sheer Heart Attack”

Kiss – “I Want You”

Max Webster – “Toronto Tontos”

Thin Lizzy – “Emerald”

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In Episode 376 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the art of the album “con” by examining rock and metal records whose dramatic or intriguing covers may have overpromised the experience. Artists including Alice Cooper, Jethro Tull, and the Clash teased darker, heavier, or more ambitious musical experience than the albums ultimately delivered.

Alice Cooper – “I’m the Coolest”

Uriah Heep – “Out on the Street”

Jethro Tull – “Watching Me Watching You”

Michael Schenker Group – “Systems Failing”

The Clash – “Cool Under Heat”

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In Episode 375 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin contemplates the gritty, rebellious, swaggering, often dark and unapologetically uncommercial album that stands apart in a band's discography, including Van Halen, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Ozbourne.

Van Halen – “Loss of Control"

UFO – “Makin’ Moves”

Accept – “Demon’s Night”

Pink Floyd – “Sheep”

Ozzy Osbourne – “Demon Alcohol”

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In Episode 374 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines how bands such as the Pixies, Queen, and Black Sabbath use dramatic shifts between quiet and heavy passages to create tension, surprise and impact.

Pixies – “Tame”

Queen – “Death on Two Legs”

Opeth – “Heir Apparent”

Black Sabbath – “Orchid”

Roger Waters – “Deja Vu”

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In Episode 373 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin celebrates underrated singing guitarists, exploring how artists including Brian May, Ted Nugent and Jerry Garcia are often overshadowed as vocalists by their reputations as guitarists, frontmen and songwriters.

Steve Hackett – “Strutton Ground”

Queen – “Sail Away Sweet Sister”

Ted Nugent – “Crave”

Gary Moore – “Enough of the Blues”

Y&T – “Hell or High Water”

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