Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “90s”

Great Divide (Semisonic)

Doug Lief — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Dan Wilson is one of the most prolific and accomplished songwriters of the last thirty years. Before hitting it big with "Closing Time", his band Semisonic released its first album, "Great Divide" which showcases exactly why Wilson was destined for success. Full of lush, memorable melodies, this record is a perfect calling card of Wilson's legendary skill. Comedian Rich Baker joins us for a look back at this fantastic album.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "All the Pain Money Can Buy" by Fastball.

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Semisonic

Ozzmosis (Ozzy Osbourne)

Doug Lief — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0700

The Prince of Darkness, the Ozzman, whatever you call him, Ozzy Osboune remains the undisputed master of heavy metal. No one did more to cement what metal was, and his unique vocals and showmanship were untouchable. This episode we look back at 1995's "Ozzmosis" with comedian Rch Baker, and analyze why Ozzy's reign remained, even while musical tastes around him completely shifted.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Great Divide" by Semisonic.

If you want to take an online improv class from Rich, go to www.daretofailimprov.com (first class is free!).

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Ozzy Osbourne except for Tom Fool by Van Phillips, and Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5

Flesh & Blood (Poison)

Doug Lief — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0800

By 1990 hair metal was on the precipice of irrelevance, soon to be swept aside by grunge. Nevertheless, the genre's last big year was filled with big riffs, big beats, and big hair as Poison ripped some incredible bops (unskinny or otherwise) that we had a blast reviewing.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Goths" by The Mountain Goats.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Poison

Drive (Bic Runga)

Doug Lief — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0800

Bic Runga's debut album features beautiful, haunting vocals and equal parts soft singer/songwriter, and late 90s female-powered grunge. Does "Drive" drive, or does it just drive us crazy? We delve into this layered and complex work to peel back what makes it worth paying attention to.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Flesh & Blood" by Poison.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Bic Runga

Nine Lives (Aerosmith)

Doug Lief — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 00:15:00 -0700

After 13 albums and a massive hit with "Get A Grip" venerable rockers Aerosmith released their follow-up "Nine Lives". Though not as successful as its predecessor, 9 Lives still stands on the solid foundation of Steven Tyler's inimitable vocals and Joe Perry's face-melting guitaring. If this one passed you by in the 1990s, now's as good a time as any to check it out.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "IV" by Led Zeppelin.

Find us on the socials here:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4009185735998587/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playingbyearpod/

Please be sure to check out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/)

Ami's handmade earrings can be found at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MomoBunnysmoreCo

Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All Songs from Sha Sha by Ben Kweller