Playing By Ear cover art

Playing By Ear

Playing By Ear

Written by: Doug Lief
Listen for free

About this listen

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.© 2026 Playing By Ear Music
Episodes
  • Drive (Bic Runga)
    Jan 20 2026
    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. 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 Bic Runga
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 45 mins
  • Bad (Michael Jackson)
    Jan 6 2026
    By the time of 1987's "Bad" Michael Jackson was an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, perhaps the most singularly famous person in the entire world, and all off of the strength of its predecessor, "Thriller" which remains the best-selling album of all time. Could the King of Pop continue his reign, or would this album live up to its title? Nearly 40 years on, "Bad" remains an incredible collection of infectious grooves that cements the Gloved One's place in music history. Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Drive" by Bic Runga. 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 The Beatles
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 43 mins
  • Revolver (The Beatles)
    Dec 23 2025
    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. 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 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
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 35 mins
No reviews yet