History in Five Songs Episode 380: Modest Metal Wins of the ‘90s

In Episode 382 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores rock and metal albums whose opening tracks overshadow the rest of the record in fame, heaviness, quality, or impact. Martin highlights iconic songs from bands including Kansas, The Clash, and Cheap Trick. Kansas – “Carry on Wayward Son” Uriah Heep – “Gypsy” The Clash – “London Calling” UFO – “Natural Thing” Cheap Trick – “Dream Police” 0:06 – 0:36 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 381 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines how legendary rock and metal bands responded to major lineup, stylistic, and production changes on the albums that followed the shakeups. He compares records by Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, and others to reveal when bands refined a new sound, played it safe, or reached new creative heights. Deep Purple – “No One Came” David Lee Roth – “Hina” Thin Lizzy – “Wild One” ZZ Top – “Planet of Women” UFO – “Let It Roll” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 380 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin looks back at the modest metal victories of the '90s. From hair-metal revivals and thrash tours to underground bands earning major-label attention and surprising gold and platinum certifications, Martin recalls the excitement of championing metal during its supposedly “dead” era. Poison – “Sexual Thing” Machine Head – “Old” Cathedral – “Ride” Saigon Kick – “Freedom” Monster Magnet – “Powertrip” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 379 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores albums with unexpectedly high sales certifications. He highlights unusual successes across live albums, greatest hits compilations, soundtracks, EPs, and unconventional studio records, spotlighting artists including Cheap Trick, Kiss, and the Clash. Cheap Trick – “Lookout” Kiss – “Let’s Put the X in Sex” Curtis Stigers – “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding” Ugly Kid Joe – “Too Bad” The Clash – “Ghetto Defendant” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 378 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin examines the many ways rock singers use falsetto. From the theatrical and expressive styles of Queen and David Bowie to the comedic, shrieking, and novelty approaches of artists including King Diamond and the Rolling Stones, Martin goes deep on this one. King Diamond – “Little One" Queen – “Cool Cat” Halford – “Silent Screams” David Bowie – “Ashes to Ashes” Rolling Stones – “Fool to Cry” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices