Playing By Ear - Episodes Tagged with “Vocalist”

My Aim Is True (Elvis Costello)

Doug Lief — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Elvis Costello's debut album "My Aim Is True" is aptly titled. Full of short, laser focused tunes, played by Costello with the raw energy of youth and pure rock and roll dreams, the album is melodic, cheeky, and a fantastic example of artist pouring out their true vision with no supervision.

Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "Yourself or Someone Like You" by Matchbox Twenty.

Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus podcasts at www.patreon.com/nostalgium including bonus episodes of this show, the Still Muppeting podcast, and Cartoon Therapy.

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 "My Aim Is True" by Elvis Costello.

Boston

Doug Lief — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0700

One of the greatest classic rock records of all time, Boston's self-titled debut exploded with ambitious prog rock, reliable blues, and some of the most soaring vocals of the 1970s from lead singer Brad Delp. With over 20,000,000 copies sold worldwide, anyone with more than a feeling about this smoking album's place in history can have some peace of mind about this rock and roll band.

Hitch a ride with us. Your homework for next time is "My Aim Is True" by Elvis Costello.

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 songs from "Boston" by Boston.

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.

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 Bic Runga