Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “Rock And Roll”

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!).

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 Ozzy Osbourne except for Tom Fool by Van Phillips, and Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5

Parallel Lines (Blondie)

Doug Lief — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:15:00 -0700

One way or another, "Parallel Lines" from Blondie is gonna get you. This 1978 album is innovative, and a convergence of genres on the rise, from punk rock, to new wave, and everything in between, anchored by Debbie Harry's limitless cool and swagger. Highly influential, this album is a gas that doesn't turn out to be a pain in the ass.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Ozzmosis" by Ozzy Osbourne.

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 Blondie

Just Won't Burn (Susan Tedeschi)

Doug Lief — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:15:00 -0700

The Blues are the bedrock of all modern popular music. From rock, to R&B, country, hip-hop and more, it all owes a debt to one of America's greatest musical inventions. On this episode we explore a more modern and feminine take on this classic genre, Grammy nominee Susan Tedeschi's "Just Won't Burn". Her raspy, powerhouse vocals and forceful guitar work transport the listener with raw chords and even more raw emotion.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "The Innocents" by Erasure.

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 Susan Tedeschi, except for a short clip of "Oh Darling!" by The Beatles.

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

Revolver (The Beatles)

Doug Lief — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0800

This is the end of the beginning... How do you break down one of the best albums by one of the best (if not perhaps THE best) band of all time? Kyle presents The Beatles' masterpiece, "Revolver", to Ami, Doug, and returning guest musician Sophie Gonzalez (www.themoonunits.com) for a music review that's here, there, and everywhere.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Bad" by Michael Jackson.

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

For more of Sophie's music, check out www.themoonunits.com and

Musical Credits:

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

Songs For You, Truths For Me (James Morrison)

Doug Lief — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0800

Soulful, heartfelt, and powered by James Morrison's unique raspy vocals, "Songs For You, Truths For Me" strings together one spectacular song after another, but is it too much of a good thing? Ami, Kyle, and Doug talk about which songs light our fire and break on through, and which ones feel like they could be the end.

Be sure to check out out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. Also, check out Doug as the co-host of the new limited-run Jim Henson Series, "Still Muppeting" (patreon.com/stillloadingpod).

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "The American Egypt" by Mike Viola.

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 James Morrison

IV (Led Zeppelin)

Doug Lief — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:15:00 -0800

It's been a long time since we rocked and rolled. Epic, thundering, mythic, Led Zeppelin's fourth untitled album achieved legendary status, buying the band a stairway to metal heaven. Between the crushing guitar licks, Tolkein references, and delicate mandolin, IV remains an influential classic that has not dulled since it first conquered the airwaves in 1971.

This podcast is part of "Frodovember" so be sure to check out out our other podcast, Nostalgium Arcanum (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for episodes this month on the animated version of The Hobbit, and all three films in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Additionally, starting on November 14, 2025, for a few bucks you can hear Doug as the co-host of the new Jim Henson podcast, "Still Muppeting" over at patron.com/stillloadingpod.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Songs For You, Truths For Me" by James Morrison.

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 Songs from IV by Led Zeppelin

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