Nov 19th, 2008 · Recorded at his home in Lyon, France with little more than an acoustic guitar and hand claps to accompany his vocals, Francois Virot's full-length debut, Yes or No, is indeed spare. But don't expect a typical singer-songwriter CD. Yes or No is lyrically rich, brimming with personality and charm, and produced with surprising layers of vocals and guitars that create a warm and vibrant sonic landscape.
Oct 3rd, 2008 · A sonically adventurous rock band from Manchester, England, Elbow has gone through its share of record labels on its way to cult stardom. Nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2001, the group has since settled into a run of highly regarded albums, though it continues to hopscotch from label to label.
Oct 3rd, 2008 · The Athens, Ga., band Of Montreal, led by frenetic frontman Kevin Barnes, has built a reputation on meticulously crafted, synth-driven psych-pop, with flamboyant production and gleeful sonic flourishes. Of Montreal brings this musical spectacle to Washington, D.C., for a full concert, webcast live at NPR.org on Oct. 9. The performance will begin streaming online at approximately 10 p.m. ET.
Aug 26th, 2008 · On his debut solo release, Neighbor Singing, Brad Laner mixes lush harmonies with gentle melodies and a subtle but densely layered pastiche of electronics. Based in Granada Hills, Calif., Laner's music could be called electro-psychedelic-folk. But he likes to keep listeners guessing as each track morphs seamlessly into new forms, taking unexpected sonic directions that don't fit neatly into any standard category. Laner's is a blissful world rooted as much in '60s psychedelia as in 21st century pop.
Jul 27th, 2008 · NOMO has a tiny name, but the group makes a big impression when it drives into town. NOMO is eight musicians from Ann Arbor, Mich., with dozens of instruments and just one van. On Ghost Rock, the octet proves that its jazz- and funk-inspired instrumental music is much more than a Fela Kuti tribute.
Jun 13th, 2008 · The highly influential band has been crazy on stage for decades, but its members lead a surprisingly normal real life, says David Browne, author of Goodbye 20th Century: A Biography of Sonic Youth.
Jun 11th, 2008 · Led by the breathtaking falsetto of singer Jonathan Meiburg, Shearwater plays dramatic songs that are at once majestic and intimate. The Austin band brings this sonic thrill ride to Washington, D.C., for a full concert, webcast live on NPR.org. The performance from the Black Cat will begin at approximately 10:30 p.m. ET Sunday.
May 27th, 2008 · Chicago-based psych pop group The M's open their latest album, Real Close Ones with the aptly named "Big Sound," a thundering track with gritty guitars, rumbling bass, blaring horns and distorted vocals. It's an immediately catchy kick-off to a sonically ambitious collection of songs that channel classic T. Rex, with the more experimental sounds of Olivia Tremor Control or Elf Power.