{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Playing By Ear","home_page_url":"https://playingbyear.fireside.fm","feed_url":"https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/json","description":"Every episode of this podcast Doug, Ami, and Kyle break an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying.","_fireside":{"subtitle":"Every episode of this podcast breaks an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying.","pubdate":"2025-09-23T00:15:00.000-07:00","explicit":false,"owner":"Doug Lief","image":"https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/4/49a771ad-9a98-4baf-a9e7-1c01a3752400/cover.jpg?v=1"},"items":[{"id":"5cf9c920-ebf4-4ab5-b5e1-0b2849106947","title":"Sha Sha (Ben Kweller)","url":"https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/4","content_text":"This episode we're revisiting Ben Kweller's freshman album, Sha Sha, as he brings his Weezer-esque sincere and heartfelt music straight from his soul to your ears. In the early 2000s indie artists were trying to break through the pop music brick wall built by NSYNC, Brittney Spears, and others. Although this particular album did not break through, its thoughtful approach and lack of polished prouction makes it worth replaying as part of that indie scene.\n\nPlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \"9 Lives\" by Aerosmith.\n\nFind us on the socials here:\n\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\n\nPlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/)\n\nAmi's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\n\nCheck out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\n\nMusical Credits:\n\nPlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\nAll Songs from Sha Sha by Ben Kweller\nHappy-Go-Lively - Lauie Johnson\nCrepe Suzette - Cyril Waters","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eThis episode we\u0026#39;re revisiting Ben Kweller\u0026#39;s freshman album, Sha Sha, as he brings his Weezer-esque sincere and heartfelt music straight from his soul to your ears. In the early 2000s indie artists were trying to break through the pop music brick wall built by NSYNC, Brittney Spears, and others. Although this particular album did not break through, its thoughtful approach and lack of polished prouction makes it worth replaying as part of that indie scene.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \u0026quot;9 Lives\u0026quot; by Aerosmith.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFind us on the socials here:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFacebook: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (\u003ca href=\"https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmi\u0026#39;s handmade earrings can be found at \u003ca href=\"https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out Kyle\u0026#39;s band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusical Credits:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\u003cbr\u003e\nAll Songs from Sha Sha by Ben Kweller\u003cbr\u003e\nHappy-Go-Lively - Lauie Johnson\u003cbr\u003e\nCrepe Suzette - Cyril Waters\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"This episode we're revisiting Ben Kweller's freshman album, Sha Sha, as he brings his Weezer-esque sincere and heartfelt music straight from his soul to your ears. In the early 2000s indie artists were trying to break through the pop music brick wall built by NSYNC, Brittney Spears, and others. Although this particular album did not break through, its thoughtful approach and lack of polished prouction makes it worth replaying as part of that indie scene.","date_published":"2025-09-23T00:15:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/49a771ad-9a98-4baf-a9e7-1c01a3752400/5cf9c920-ebf4-4ab5-b5e1-0b2849106947.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":106052978,"duration_in_seconds":6856}]},{"id":"12a9b1c6-4034-405f-93e9-5acdc9f58d16","title":"Black Holes and Revelations (Muse)","url":"https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/3","content_text":"After finding success with hits like \"Hysteria\" and \"Time Is Running Out\" Muse unleashed their biggest and boldest album to date. 2006's \"Black Holes And Revelations\" pushed boundaries by combining classic hard rock, Queen-like harmonies, baroque complexity, to showcase the band's impeccable skill. Whether this ambitious effort succeeds is a matter of taste, but what we found indisputable was that Muse has the capacity to create sounds unlike any other band before or since.\n\nPlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \"Sha Sha\" by Ben Kweller.\n\nFind us on the socials here:\n\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\n\nPlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/)\n\nAmi's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\n\nCheck out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\n\nMusical Credits:\n\nPlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\nAll Songs from Black Holes and Revelations by Matt Bellamy","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eAfter finding success with hits like \u0026quot;Hysteria\u0026quot; and \u0026quot;Time Is Running Out\u0026quot; Muse unleashed their biggest and boldest album to date. 2006\u0026#39;s \u0026quot;Black Holes And Revelations\u0026quot; pushed boundaries by combining classic hard rock, Queen-like harmonies, baroque complexity, to showcase the band\u0026#39;s impeccable skill. Whether this ambitious effort succeeds is a matter of taste, but what we found indisputable was that Muse has the capacity to create sounds unlike any other band before or since.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \u0026quot;Sha Sha\u0026quot; by Ben Kweller.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFind us on the socials here:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFacebook: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (\u003ca href=\"https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmi\u0026#39;s handmade earrings can be found at \u003ca href=\"https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out Kyle\u0026#39;s band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusical Credits:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\u003cbr\u003e\nAll Songs from Black Holes and Revelations by Matt Bellamy\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"After finding success with hits like \"Hysteria\" and \"Time Is Running Out\" Muse unleashed their biggest and boldest album to date. 2006's \"Black Holes And Revelations\" pushed boundaries by combining classic hard rock, Queen-like harmonies, baroque complexity, to showcase the band's impeccable skill. Whether this ambitious effort succeeds is a matter of taste, but what we found indisputable was that Muse has the capacity to create sounds unlike any other band before or since.","date_published":"2025-08-23T00:15:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/49a771ad-9a98-4baf-a9e7-1c01a3752400/12a9b1c6-4034-405f-93e9-5acdc9f58d16.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":99801980,"duration_in_seconds":6357}]},{"id":"5c748b79-f46d-4a20-ba56-80ff36c17832","title":"The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society (The Kinks)","url":"https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/2","content_text":"Kyle brings the Kinks' hidden gem \"The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society\". While the Kinks were known for big proto-punk hits like You Really Got Me, this 1968 concept album finds the group celebrating and satirizing the quiet English countryside with fifteen short but memorable songs.\n\nPlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \"Black Holes And Revelations\" by Muse.\n\nFind us on the socials here:\n\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\n\nPlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/)\n\nAmi's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\n\nCheck out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\n\nMusical Credits:\n\nPlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\nAll Songs from The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society by Ray Davies","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eKyle brings the Kinks\u0026#39; hidden gem \u0026quot;The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society\u0026quot;. While the Kinks were known for big proto-punk hits like You Really Got Me, this 1968 concept album finds the group celebrating and satirizing the quiet English countryside with fifteen short but memorable songs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \u0026quot;Black Holes And Revelations\u0026quot; by Muse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFind us on the socials here:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFacebook: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (\u003ca href=\"https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmi\u0026#39;s handmade earrings can be found at \u003ca href=\"https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out Kyle\u0026#39;s band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusical Credits:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\u003cbr\u003e\nAll Songs from The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society by Ray Davies\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"Kyle brings the Kinks' hidden gem \"The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society\". While the Kinks were known for big proto-punk hits like You Really Got Me, this 1968 concept album finds the group celebrating and satirizing the quiet English countryside with fifteen short but memorable songs.","date_published":"2025-07-23T00:15:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/49a771ad-9a98-4baf-a9e7-1c01a3752400/5c748b79-f46d-4a20-ba56-80ff36c17832.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":97750384,"duration_in_seconds":6464}]},{"id":"30db33ea-6867-4c52-8e3a-dc2a1c057aa6","title":"Mr. A-Z (Jason Mraz)","url":"https://playingbyear.fireside.fm/1","content_text":"On our premier episode Ami brings Mr. A-Z for consideration. Is Jason Mraz's sophomore album the remedy, or is it serious? We break it down track by track to see if Mr. A-Z really is all about the wordplay.\n\nPlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \"The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society\" by The Kinks.\n\nFind us on the socials here:\n\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\n\nPlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/)\n\nAmi's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\n\nCheck out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\n\nMusical Credits:\n\nPlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\nAll Songs from Mr. A-Z by Jason Mraz","content_html":"\u003cp\u003eOn our premier episode Ami brings Mr. A-Z for consideration. Is Jason Mraz\u0026#39;s sophomore album the remedy, or is it serious? We break it down track by track to see if Mr. A-Z really is all about the wordplay.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease listen along with us. Your homework for next time is \u0026quot;The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society\u0026quot; by The Kinks.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFind us on the socials here:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFacebook: \u003ca href=\"https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nInstagram: \u003ca href=\"https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (\u003ca href=\"https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmi\u0026#39;s handmade earrings can be found at \u003ca href=\"https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCheck out Kyle\u0026#39;s band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: \u003ca href=\"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003ehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMusical Credits:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlaying By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman\u003cbr\u003e\nAll Songs from Mr. A-Z by Jason Mraz\u003c/p\u003e","summary":"On our premier episode Ami brings Mr. A-Z for consideration. Is Jason Mraz's sophomore album the remedy, or is it serious? We break it down track by track to see if Mr. A-Z really is all about the wordplay.","date_published":"2025-06-23T00:15:00.000-07:00","attachments":[{"url":"https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/49a771ad-9a98-4baf-a9e7-1c01a3752400/30db33ea-6867-4c52-8e3a-dc2a1c057aa6.mp3","mime_type":"audio/mpeg","size_in_bytes":114297504,"duration_in_seconds":7123}]}]}