Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “Pop Music”

The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (Chappel Roan)

Doug Lief — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Um, can you play a song with a fucking beat? Chappel Roan burst onto the scene with the musically ambitious, lyrically delicious "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess". The album literally pulses with youthful exuberance, exploring themes of sexual experimentation and alienation, all set to Roan's powerful vocals and theatrical performance. We're joined by guest Matt Storm aka Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games, Reignite - www.djstormageddon.com) to soak up this album's party atmosphere, and ponder the questions that come the morning after too.

Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "Jagged Little Pill" by Alanis Morissette.

Be sure to also check out our weekly pop culture podcast, "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/).

If you want to support us and get extra goodies, become a Patreon subscriber at www.patreon.com/nostalgium, where you can join our Discord and get bonus episodes of this show, the "Still Muppeting" podcast, "Cartoon Therapy", and our Batman: The Animated Series retrospective "The Brave and the Bald" featuring Rich Baker.

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

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All songs from "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" by Chappel Roan

The Innocents (Erasure)

Doug Lief — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0700

We give a little respect to Erasure's "The Innocents". The album features classic 80s new wave synth sounds that perfectly suit Vince Clarke's smooth voice. Vivacious, danceable, and sometimes moving, "The Innocents" perfectly encapsulates everything that makes Erasure what it is, a pop confection with more depth than you might expect at first glance.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Parallel Lines" by Blondie.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

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 www.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

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by Erasure

Bad (Michael Jackson)

Doug Lief — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 00:15:00 -0800

By the time of 1987's "Bad" Michael Jackson was an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, perhaps the most singularly famous person in the entire world, and all off of the strength of its predecessor, "Thriller" which remains the best-selling album of all time. Could the King of Pop continue his reign, or would this album live up to its title? Nearly 40 years on, "Bad" remains an incredible collection of infectious grooves that cements the Gloved One's place in music history.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Drive" by Bic Runga.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium

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

Or, you can find the podcast on YouTube if that's your thing: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuMQMvkgVN7njP4fQo7JWH90pwIqb6WCw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All music by The Beatles