Jan 2nd, 2009 · Andrew Bird's new CD Noble Beast is the fifth in a series of smart and crafty solo albums. This week NPR Music is giving you the chance to hear the entire record as part of our First Listen series. Then, on Thursday, January 8 at 1p.m., ET, NPR's Bob Boilen will lead a listening party. Come join us for a live chat and tell everyone what you think of this new album from Andrew Bird. You can sign up for a reminder below.
Dec 8th, 2008 · On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen talks with Carrie Brownstein (Monitor Mix blogger), Stephen Thompson (editor for Song of the Day), and Robin Hilton (All Songs producer and host of Second Stage) about the year in music. What were the biggest surprises of 2008? What were the best new bands, or the best songs? Listen and let us know what you think by joining the NPR online community.
Nov 14th, 2008 · We've come up with many excuses to have artists come in and perform Tiny Desk Concerts at the workspace of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. Some are too quiet to be well-served by traditional live concerts, while others are little-known staff favorites who wouldn't ordinarily receive a large-scale webcast presentation. Usually, it's just an opportunity to bring in artists who, for one reason or another, haven't gotten as much of our attention as we'd like to give them.
Oct 20th, 2008 · Dr. Dog isn't an obvious choice for one of NPR Music's Tiny Desk Concerts. For one thing, it's a pretty big group, at least for the small space behind Bob Boilen's desk. The band's music can be pretty chaotic — loud and rumbling, with multiple instruments fighting to be heard. And singer Toby Leaman likes to belt out his vocals in a window-rattling, raspy growl.
Sep 29th, 2008 · Okkervil River frontman Will Sheff shares some of his favorite (and fairly obscure) music with All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen. The two talk about Okkervil River's latest album, The Stand-Ins and listen to some of the songs Sheff has loved and been inspired by over the years. Hear music from soul singer Lorraine Ellison, the 1960s Jamaican group Carlton and the Shoes, former teen idol-turned introspective singer Dion, and The Penetrators — a 1970s band some would call punk, others would call garage rock.
Sep 22nd, 2008 · All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen looks at some of the most anticipated CDs due out this fall, with reviewers Tom Moon, Will Hermes, and Meredith Ochs. Hear a sneak preview of TV On the Radio's spectacular new album, Dear Science, plus the latest and reportedly final album from The Streets, a sultry new CD from Lucinda Williams, more bootleg recordings from Bob Dylan, the comically cool Eagles of Death Metal, Blitzen Trapper, Jolie Holland, and more.
Sep 4th, 2008 · Thao Nguyen makes captivating music. Her songs are raw and infectious, her voice has a distinctive swagger, and she's a remarkably nimble guitarist. Nguyen's songs come from very real and jarringly honest places. The singer-songwriter stopped by NPR's offices recently to give an intimate performance at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.
Sep 2nd, 2008 · Were the 1980s the worst years for music? NPR listeners seem to think so, according the results of our poll. When asked to pick the best year for music, nearly everyone skipped the '80s entirely. On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen looks back at the decade of synth pop, hair metal, and hardcore with Stephen Thompson, editor of Song of the Day, Robin Hilton, All Songs Considered producer and host of Second Stage, and Carrie Brownstein, writer for the Monitor Mix blog.