PODCASTS — LISTEN AT YOUR LEISURE

Hit Parade itunes.apple.com/ie/podcast/hit-parade/id1291058235?mt=2 This monthly podcast is hosted by pop critic Chris Molanphy, and takes a long look at various — and very diverse — aspects of the music industry. There is in-depth analysis of The Beatles monopolising the billboard charts in the 1960s, through the great era of the charity hit single during the 1980s — Do They Know It’s

Christmas? was only the beginning — and what is billed as ‘The Imperial Elton and George Edition’; a timely look at the friendship between George Michael and Elton John.

There is also a fascinating dissection of the concerted war on singles waged by record companies during the 1990s, when labels deliberately promoted hits that could only be bought on full-length albums. This made commercial sense — consumers were made to shell out on the full oeuvre of MC Hammer, Pearl Jam, Alanis Morissette and so on — but ultimately backfired as resentment grew. Molanphy is a great host — knowledgeable, entertaining and excited about his content. 99% Invisible www.99percentinvisible.org Sad but probably true — most of us pay very little real attention to the world around us, accepting it without much question, certainly not enough to wonder — why did Freud use a couch rather than an armchair? Where did fortune cookies come from? Who created the first sports bra?

99% Invisible answers all these questions and more. Largely, but loosely, themed around design and architecture, the podcast is hosted by Roman Mars, who started producing it in his bedroom, and funding still comes directly from listeners, including a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign. Which means Mars is free to follow his (very eclectic) heart.