Playing By Ear

Doug Lief
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Music Commentary
  • Biweekly

Every episode of this podcast Doug, Ami, and Kyle break an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying.

  1. 20h ago

    Sydney (I'll Come Running)(Brett Dennen)

    Brett Dennen might be the best friend you could ask for. This unusual bop chronicles his main character heading straight to the airport to fly all the way to Australia to support his falsely accused companion. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers 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 Me Just Purely - Brendan Benson

    Sydney (I'll Come Running)(Brett Dennen)

  2. Nov 3

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

    Um, can you play a song with a f*****g 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 Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess (Chappel Roan)

  3. Oct 27

    Mini-Sode: The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning (Smashing Pumpkins)

    Originally written as "The End Is The Beginning Is The End" for the film "Batman & Robin", it was reworked into this newer, darker, and hypnotic new version by Billy Corgan and company. Lost on various b-sides and rarities compilations, it resurfaced for the trailer of a different DC comics film, "Watchmen". The song remains powerful and entrancing, and like that film, a seeming harbinger of apocalyptic doom. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/nostalgium, where you can join our Discord and get 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 The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning - Smashing Pumpkins

    Mini-Sode: The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning (Smashing Pumpkins)

  4. Oct 20

    Dead Man's Party (Oingo Boingo)

    For Halloween we're bringing out the Pumpkin King himself, Danny Elfman, for a look back at Oingo Boingo's signature album "Dead Man's Party". The band worked some new wave weird science that fills this record with spooky melodic fun that will rattle your bones from beginning to end. Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "The Rise And Fall of a Midwest Princess" by Chappel Roan. 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 "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo Yahoo! - Erasure

    Dead Man's Party (Oingo Boingo)

  5. Oct 13

    Mini-Sode: Since You've Been Gone (Rainbow)

    Classic rock is a spectrum, and Rainbow's late 1970s banger "Since You've Been Gone" is bright, colorful, and fits in among good-time party records of the era. We're glad Kyle shined a light on this forgotten classic that absolutely belongs in everyone's backyard BBQ playlist. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers 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 Since You've Been Gone - Rainbow

    Mini-Sode: Since You've Been Gone (Rainbow)

  6. Oct 6

    Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses)

    Welcome to the jungle! On their monster debut Guns N' Roses exploded out of the paradise city of Los Angeles serpentining their way up record charts, delivering one of the greatest albums of the 1980s, perhaps of all time. Axl Rose, Slash, and company set a rock and metal standard that perhaps no band has equaled since. I mean, where do we go, where do we go now? Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "Dead Man's Party" by Oingo Boingo. Support us, join the discussion, and get bonus content at www.patreon.com/nostalgium! Also, Doug was recently a guest over on the Play Along Podcast so go check out that episode. 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 "Appetite For Destruction" by Guns N' Roses

    Appetite For Destruction (Guns N' Roses)

  7. Sep 29

    Mini-Sode: If I Can Dream (Elvis Presley)

    While he may have left the building, Elvis remains the King. The soulful "If I Can Dream" musters all of Elvis' raw power and focuses it on hope for a better tomorrow. This song remains moving decades on, and reminds us of the promise beyond the horizon, if only we could walk hand in hand to find it. For now these Mini-Sodes are free, but eventually they'll only be available for our Patreon subscribers at www.patreon.com/nostalgium, where you can join our Discord and get 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 If I Can Dream written by Walter Earl Brown and performed by Elvis Presley

    Mini-Sode: If I Can Dream (Elvis Presley)

  8. Sep 22

    Yourself Or Someone Like You (Matchbox Twenty)

    Powered by radio-friendly megahits like 3 AM and Push, Matchbox Twenty's debut album demolished charts and set the stage for a career that would continue to generate megahits one after the other. This first album remains one of their strongest, and one we had an easy time revisiting. Listen along with us for next time. Your homework for next time is "Appetite For Destruction" by Guns N' Roses. Be sure to also check out our weekly pop culture podcast, "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/). Support us over at www.patreon.com/Nostalgium to join the discussion at our Discord server, and get access to all our bonus material including our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting," our improv/impression show Cartoon Therapy, and more! 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 "Yourself or Someone Like You" by Matchbox Twenty. Tom Fool - Van Phillips The Rain In Spain - Lerner & Loewe Push - Ryan Gosling

    Yourself Or Someone Like You (Matchbox Twenty)
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Every episode of this podcast Doug, Ami, and Kyle break an album down, track by track, to cover why it's not only worth playing, but replaying.

Information

  • Creator
    Doug Lief
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Playing By Ear
  • Show Website
    Playing By Ear