Mar 18th, 2010 · Ad man Tom Burrell calls out negative images of African Americans in the media for perpetuating the myth of black inferiority. In Brainwashed, he examines the history of the myth and how contemporary culture reinforces it.
Mar 18th, 2010 · The Los Angeles band's sound synthesizes vocal harmonies influenced by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (or the more contemporary Fleet Foxes) with the reverberant rhythms of Afrobeat, indie rock and chamber pop. Local Natives performed at NPR Music's daytime party in Austin, Texas, on March 18.
Mar 17th, 2010 · Sebastian Faulks' satirical novel is a weeklong tour of modern London, woven together in Dickensian style. Dickens' 19th century characters dealt with class conflict, wealth, poverty and true love. Faulks' contemporary characters deal with terrorism, greed, the Internet and — because some things never change — true love.
Mar 3rd, 2010 · Explore the branches of contemporary song sprouting from the roots of ancient vocal traditions with Alyth McCormack, Nuala Kennedy and Julie Fowlis.
Feb 28th, 2010 · Bhosle has recorded 12,000 songs and is featured on the soundtracks of more than 800 films. Her voice is easily recognized by a billion people in South Asia and around the world. Her influence has extended far beyond India, too: She's recorded with the boy band Red Code, the contemporary classical Kronos Quartet and even pop star Boy George.
Feb 9th, 2010 · Three novels of past and present: Lynn Neary reviews the "perfect" novel for our down economy — written before the banks failed. Steve Inskeep reads a tale of political infighting resonant of today, but that follows events in Cicero's Rome. And Alan Cheuse celebrates The Lost Books of the Odyssey, a novel both timeless and very contemporary.
Jan 27th, 2010 · After connecting with producer Jonathan Wilson, the band began to take part in informal jam sessions with artists like Conor Oberst and Benmont Tench. Recorded to analog tape during a live session in Laurel Canyon, Dawes' debut album, North Hills, mixes conventional folk arrangements with contemporary trimmings. The result is nostalgic and fashionable in the same breath.
Jan 8th, 2010 · Since forming in San Francisco in 1994, Train has had an undeniable impact on contemporary music, selling millions and touring with acts such as Barenaked Ladies and Counting Crows. Along the way, the group has released five studio albums and won a Grammy for its ubiquitous pop hit "Drops of Jupiter." Hear Train perform songs from its newest album, Save Me San Francisco, on World Cafe.