Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “Songwriter”

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

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.

I've Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) (Teddy Swims)

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

Did we lose control over Teddy Swims' debut album, or did we show it the door? The true answer is that it is problematic, an album with some high highs, but the second, slower half loses some steam along the way, something partially corrected by the addition of four new electric tracks in the Part 1.5 re-release of the album. What is undeniable, however, are Swims' pitch-perfect powerful vocals which, when paired with the rght song, call to mind classi R&B greats like Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and more.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Just Won't Burn" by Susan Tedeschi.

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 Teddy Swims

Goths (The Mountain Goats)

Doug Lief — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:15:00 -0800

Moody, beautiful, deep, dark, all words that describe goth music. And yet, while The Mountain Goats' "Goths" explores all the themes of goth music, the bands that played it, and the subculture that embraced it in the 1980s, the album occupies a woodwind-heavy guitarless soundscape wholly unlike its black-draped synth-heavy subject matter. We're joined by guest Rick Firestone of the Pixel Project Radio podcast to explore this album's sundrenched wistful look back at a gloomy subject.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "I've Tried Everything But Therapy, Pt. 1.5" by Teddy Swims.

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 The Mountain Goats

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

The American Egypt (Mike Viola)

Doug Lief — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:15:00 -0800

Wistul, emotional, cheeky, and melodic, Mike Viola's "An American Egypt" uses inventive stream-of-consciousness lyrics to paint a dreamy picture of life as a middle-aged parent in Los Angeles. Sometimes silly, sometimes sad, and often both, Doug, Ami, and Kyle had a blast unpacking this album along with guest musician Sophie Gonzalez (www.themoonunits.com) to discuss an album she loves so much she wants to be buried with it lik a true American Egyptian.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Revolver" by The Beatles.

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 Mike Viola