Strong Songs Kirk Hamilton

I use another podcast app, and I downloaded Apple Podcasts just to leave a review for this show. That’s how much I love it!

Kirk brings so much joy and enthusiasm to his music analysis, it is absolutely infectious. He makes me hear some of my favorite songs in a new and exciting way. And while I originally planned to listen only to the episodes on songs I already like, I now plan to listen to all of them, because I trust that Kirk will help me to enjoy them.

First episode I listened to (Chicago recast) took 9 minutes before the actual content started. Had at least two plugs for Patreon before I heard a note. Will keep listening/skipping and reserve the right to adjust my rating (up) since Kirk is def doing a good thing.

Kirk does such an amazing job with this podcast. The mark of a truly effective educator is not to simply state facts or point out salient features (this chord over that bass-line, etc) and then move on — looking at you, Rick B. — without regard for whether and how naive listeners will be able to absorb and understand the import, but to patiently break it down to the most basic level, with abundant repetition, adding layers of complexity only as and — most importantly — when it will be understandable for a non-musician.

Kirk’s analysis is totally accessible and really hits home. At times, I find it emotionally overwhelming to be within the song or particular parts of a song for so long. The episodes on “Everybody wants to rule the World (TfF) & Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” are truly outstanding acheivements; almost like pieces of art in and of themselves, worth repeat listens like the strong songs they feature. Aside from his musical and technical insights, Kirk also displays a remarkable ability to describe the emotional resonance of the music or lyric, and how it taps in to our personal vulnerabilities. After all, isn’t that what really makes music special?

Now, if only he would do some Talk Talk …