In Episode 252, Martin rebuts his friend's mockery of those people who think the Police are the best New Wave band ever (or if they're even truly New Wave)!The Police – “Omegaman”XTC – “Grass”Joy Division – “A Means to an End”Magazine –

Barely Written Songs

8 days ago 36m 36s

In Episode 251, Martin complains about 'lazy' songwriting and 'underwritten' songs.AC/DC – “There’s Gonna Be Some Rockin’”Van Halen – “Source of Infection”Deep Purple – “Never Before”Ted Nugent – “Backstrap Fever”Thin Lizzy – “Are You

Their Future in One Song

15 days ago 40m 55s

In Episode 250, Martin ponders the question "when has a band 'found' their future sound in one song/album?"Ted Nugent’s Amboy Dukes – “Living in the Woods”Rolling Stones – “If You Can’t Rock Me”Rush – “Anthem”Scorpions – “In Trance”Th

First Person Perspectives

22 days ago 34m 58s

In Episode 249, Martin pays homage to Black Sabbath's song "I" and explores some "self centered" songs.Thin Lizzy – “Soldier of Fortune”Blue Oyster Cult – “Flaming Telepaths”The Damned – “These Hands”Iron Maiden – “Running Free”Black

Metal History in First Verses

29 days ago 36m 2s

In Episode 248, Martin dissects the first verse of the first track of some seminal metal gods.Jimi Hendrix Experience – “Purple Haze”Montrose – “Rock the Nation”Judas Priest – “One for the Road”Diamond Head – “Lightning to the Nations”

Wrapping Up the Album

Mar 19th, 2024 39m 3s

In Episode 247, Martin wonders aloud about the meaning and intent of tracks that wrap up albums.Rush – “La Villa Strangiatto”Slayer – “Raining Blood”Black Sabbath – “Lonely Is the Word”Van Halen – “Happy Trails”Queen – “More of That J

Covers on Debuts

Mar 12th, 2024 37m 37s

In Episode 246, Martin explores the whys and hows of band who included cover songs on their debut album.38 Special – “Around and Around”Winger – “Purple Haze”Kiss – “Kissin’ Time”Great White – “Substitute”Cheap Trick – “Speak Now or F

Ancient Zeppelin Reviews Part 2

Mar 5th, 2024 40m 50s

In Episode 245, Martin continues his dive into artists who are compared and contrasted to the mighty Zep in reviews of their albums.Black Sabbath – “Laguna Sunrise”The Who – “How Many Friends”Yes – “Sound Chaser”Electric Light Orchestra

Ancient Zeppelin Reviews

Feb 27th, 2024 36m 14s

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 reviews of those albums covering 1969 to 1971.Jeff Beck – “Let Me Love You”Blue Cheer – “S

Ancient Sabbath Reviews

Feb 20th, 2024 36m 32s

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 abo

This Band's British Steel

Feb 13th, 2024 37m 1s

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 Sabb

Contrarianism

Feb 6th, 2024 39m 27s

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 Sto

Producer Chris Tsangarides

Jan 30th, 2024 34m 59s

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 – “

Biggest Heavy Metal Stars

Jan 23rd, 2024 37m 15s

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 abo

A Different Kind of Genius

Jan 16th, 2024 37m 27s

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”Robe

Genius

Jan 9th, 2024 39m 19s

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”L

Fifth Gear Singers

Jan 2nd, 2024 40m 48s

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 abo

First Gear Singers

Dec 26th, 2023 38m 31s

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”Lea

They Shrunk the Boogie!

Dec 19th, 2023 38m 11s

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 Blac

OTT Hair Metal Songs

Dec 12th, 2023 33m 41s

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 choi

Celebrating Snare Drum

Dec 5th, 2023 35m 56s

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

Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Family

Nov 28th, 2023 32m 12s

In Episode 231, Martin digs into bands from Black Sabbath's original stomping grounds.Judas Priest – “Never Satisfied”Trapeze – “Way Back to the Bone”Necromandus – “Nightjar”Quartz – “Pleasure Seekers”Diamond Head – “Starcrossed (Love

My Shadow Top Five: A Breaks Study

Nov 21st, 2023 38m 10s

In Episode 230, Martin looks at the 'breaks' on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time.Queen – “Keep Yourself Alive”ZZ Top – “Avalon Highway”Blue Öyster Cult – “Heavy Metal: The Black and Silver”Thin Lizzy – “The Pressure Wi

My Top Five Albums: A Pre-Chorus Study

Nov 14th, 2023 35m 31s

In Episode 229, Martin looks at great pre-choruses on songs from some of his favorite albums of all-time.Led Zeppelin – “Down by the Seaside”Black Sabbath – “Megalomania”Judas Priest – “Hell Bent for Leather”AC/DC – “Girls Got Rhythm”

Corporate Solo Albums

Nov 7th, 2023 41m 6s

In Episode 228, Martin dives into solo albums that feel like a cash grab.Lou Gramm – “Just Between You and Me”Eric Martin – “These Are the Good Times”Fee Waybill – “Saved My Life”Kane Roberts – “Twisted”Tommy Shaw – “Lonely School”