Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'confessional'

An Horse: 'Horizons'

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:52:00 EST

Australians Kate Cooper and Damon Cox make up An Horse. The two recently released their full-length debut, Rearrange Beds, on which they tackle a simple enough formula: drums, electric guitar, and failed relationships for lyrical fodder. It's dangerous territory for some bands. It's easy to turn those ingredients into melodrama or an exercise in the trite. But An Horse uses its confessional lyrics to create 10 immediately recognizable tunes, with toe-tapping beats. It's a combination that led the duo to opening spots on tours with Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan & Sara.

A Leaf Falls On Loneliness (For E.E. Cummings)

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:21:00 EST

After the stunning array of color begins to fall in autumn, all that's left is the slow march to winter. There's something inherently melancholy about watching the leaves drop. Let these five confessionals prepare you for a season of the high lonesome — a time before a chilly mood meets the rake's progress.

Jackson Browne's Personal And Political 'Time'

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:59:00 EST

Browne's latest album, Time the Conqueror, is an exploration of past and present world events that have defined generations. Most of the songs offer personal reactions to political events, but others are introspective confessionals about his own life. In a session with David Dye, Browne performs songs from the new album.

Puppini Sisters' Lament In Three-Part Harmony

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:02:00 EDT

The Puppini Sisters' shtick is to take the style of The Andrews Sisters and add postmodern zing. In the group's outstanding original tune "Jilted," the result sounds like a confessional column from a Swing Era edition of Cosmo.

City And Colour: 'Sleeping Sickness'

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:51:00 EDT

It's important to note how much good music is coming from our northern neighbors these days. City and Colour is the solo project of Ontario-native Dallas Green, founding member of the Canadian band Alexisonfire. Bring Me Your Love is Green's second full-length release under the City and Colour moniker, and the record's acoustic singer-songwriter work balances beautifully simple music with powerful vocals and heavy, confessional lyrics.

Rilo Kiley and the Joy of Liberation

Thu, 04 Oct 2007 10:04:00 EDT

For a band prone to sad confessionals, Rilo Kiley sounds downright gleeful on "Breakin' Up." Granted, it's a kiss-off song that practically fetishizes rationalization. But there's something uplifting about hearing singer Jenny Lewis "wash the blues away," for once.

A Mournful Longing Beneath the Surface

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 17:39:00 EDT

Best known as a member of the Stars and Broken Social Scene, Millan ditches some of these bands' slick sheen and anthemic pop for a more organic and earnest sound. Drawing on themes of love and loneliness, she gives in to her country whims and offers her own take on the whiskey-drenched confessional.

Rilo Kiley's Singer Steps Out With a Wilbury Twist

Fri, 17 Mar 2006 10:08:52 EST

Jenny Lewis traffics in spiky pop and sad country music as leader of Rilo Kiley, and she left a memorable impression as a backing vocalist on "Give Up," the hit debut of electronic duo The Postal Service. Both bands showcase Lewis's flair for bold but relatable confessionals.

After Eight Years, New Music from Eric Matthews

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 00:00:00 EST

After Eight Years, New Music from Eric Matthews March 4, 2005 · Critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Eric Matthews makes a long-awaited comeback with his new album Six Kinds of Passion Looking For an Exit. Reviewer Chris Nickson says the album has an intimate, confessional quality.