In Episode 278, Martin rants about why certain tracks, despite their popularity, just don’t resonate with him. Throughout, he delves into the difference between fan-revered “sacred songs” and mainstream hits, questioning whether the songs deemed sacred truly deserve their status.

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In Episode 277, “Missed the Boat on an Eighties Live Album,” the host discusses iconic bands from the 80s, such as Van Halen, Def Leppard, and The Police, who may have missed significant opportunities by not releasing live albums during their prime, potentially leaving money and legacy on the table.

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In Episode 276 of History in Five Songs, Martin explores the rise and fall of live albums across five decades, from their golden age in the 1970s to their fading significance in the 2000s. He dives into the cultural and commercial shifts that led to the decline, sharing stories of iconic albums from Kiss, Thin Lizzy, and more, while unpacking how live recordings once captured the essence of rock but lost their impact over time.

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In Episode 275 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin dives into the different eras of Deep Purple, analyzing which period boasts the best song intros and how these intros reflect the band’s internal dynamics and evolving leadership. Through an exploration of Deep Purple’s iconic tracks, from Chasing Shadows to Highway Star, Martin uncovers the stories behind the music, highlighting the band’s creative interplay and the way intros capture the essence of their musical journey.

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In Episode 274, Martin explores the creative and commercial journeys of rockers who left or were exiled from their iconic bands, including Hugh Cornwell, Roger Waters, and Ozzy Osbourne. The episode delves into their “second catalogs” and how these artists forged successful solo careers, often fueled by bad blood and a desire to prove themselves.

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In Episode 273, Martin dives into why 1979 was the worst year for rock music, exploring the disappointments from major bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Aerosmith, and Kiss, and discussing how shifts in the industry and musical trends shaped this rocky year.

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In Episode 272, Martin dives into the world of hair metal bands that emerged on the scene just as the grunge era began, exploring how these groups struggled to gain traction and achieve success. The episode highlights artists like Lillian Axe and Ugly Kid Joe, who found themselves at the tail end of the hair metal trend, navigating a music industry shifting towards new sounds and styles.

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In Episode 271, Martin dives into a collection of poignant final tracks and lyrics by various artists, exploring their prophetic or emotional significance, whether they were truly the last songs on an album or just the last words left to us.

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In Episode 270, Martin explores the transition of bands from the LP to CD era, focusing on how the shift in format around 1990 affected album production, with insights into the contrasting approaches in different countries and the resulting changes in music dynamics and album length.

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In Episode 269, Martin discusses 'new guys' that comes into 'old bands,' injecting new life into the band and sending them into the fray of the new wave of British heavy metal.

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