All Songs Considered

What Does It Mean To Listen?

Robin Hilton — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:51:00 +0000

We got a lot of thoughtful comments and replies from readers this week when we asked whether they really listen to full albums from start to finish. Much of the discussion focused on the ways we listen and what constitutes actually engaging with an entire album in a full-on listening, as opposed to merely having it on.

Most people said they listen to full albums, but many aren't giving them their undivided attention.

Boards Of Canada Share New Video, Song

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:27:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jTg-q6Drt0

We Get Mail: What's A Modern Music Snob To Do?

Stephen Thompson — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:28:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrEJmvuKSwo

Viking's Choice: The Man, The Machine, The 'Melee'

editor — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:07:00 +0000

Remember the slow-moving, ridiculously armed ED-209 in the first RoboCop movie? The poor thing couldn't walk down a stairwell, but boy, could that machine leave a bloody mess. Author & Punisher does much the same, for both the ears and whatever's left of the body.

Mechanical engineer and sculptor Tristan Shone is a master of machines. He's built a robotic entourage — throttles, knobs, rails and all — that responds to MIDI/USB controllers and makes for-real industrial doom metal.

New Music: Mount Kimbie, Laura Mvula, Jagwar Ma, More

editor — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:41:00 +0000

This week on All Songs Considered, hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton offer up a musical sampler of many styles from around the world.

Do You Really Listen To Full Albums?

Robin Hilton — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:08:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxyUl3DrOLE

Song Premiere: The Understated Allure Of Laurel Halo's 'Sex Mission'

editor — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:16:00 +0000

Carnal implications abound on "Sex Mission," a new techno track from the Brooklyn-based musician Laurel Halo. There's the not-exactly-subtle title, and the EP from whence it comes is called Behind the Green Door (out May 21), a nod to a ground-breaking porn flick from the 1970s. The music itself throbs like an accelerating heartbeat. A looped grainy sample — "be still" — conjures up an imaginary lover who's about to show you a really good time.

But, like Lucille Bluth, "Sex Mission" gets off by withholding.

We Get Mail: Can You Build The Perfect Cover Song?

Stephen Thompson — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:28:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiH6Dtwz-aU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mQJaXwGPlg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8HOfcYWZoo

First Watch: Sam Amidon, 'As I Roved'

Robin Hilton — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:34:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCHcH2xCBlE

Do You Have A Favorite Record Label?

Bob Boilen — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:51:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT5A3Ikosj4

First Watch: Exitmusic, 'White Noise'

Robin Hilton — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:09:00 +0000

Exitmusic's Passages was one of 2012's darkest and most arresting ambient rock albums. Now, the band returns with an equally transfixing new video for one of the album's standout tracks, "White Noise."

The Gothic, gorgeously shot video shows Exitmusic's Aleksa Palladino and Devon Church as they slowly drift and turn in a dark pool of water. "'White Noise' is such a visual song," Palladino and Church write via email.

New Music: Baths, Jim Jarmusch, Sam Phillips, More

editor — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:32:00 +0000

We kick this week's show off with a lot of noise from filmmaker (and past guest DJ on All Songs Considered) Jim Jarmusch and his gloriously gritty side project called SQÜRL. The band, with Carter Logan and producer/engineer Shane Stoneback, originally formed to score the 2009 Jarmusch film The Limits Of Control.

First Watch: Jeri-Jeri With Baaba Maal, 'Gawlo'

Otis Hart — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:45:00 +0000

One of my favorite songs last year was a collaboration between a Sengalese drum collective and a German techno producer. The producer, Mark Ernestus traveled to the West African country to work with Jeri-Jeri, a group that plays a popular dance music called mbalax.

Prescription To Bang: Listen To Kyle Hall's 'Dr. Crunch'

Otis Hart — Thu, 09 May 2013 19:52:00 +0000

Sometimes all you need for a banging dance track is an unstoppable rhythm and a nuanced hook. Tweak the hook every couple bars, don't mess with the beat too much, and you've got a potential stomper on your hands.

That's the recipe on Kyle Hall's juggernaut "Dr. Crunch," the largest song on his new full-length, The Boat Party.

We Get Mail: How Can A Vinyl Lover Start Over From Scratch?

Stephen Thompson — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:30:00 +0000

We get a lot of mail at NPR Music, and amid the ironic promotional cassingles is a slew of smart questions about how music fits into our lives — and, this week, how a regretful fan of vinyl records can re-create her discarded collection.

Kirsten Elbourne Mathieson writes: "I'm big-time regretting getting rid of all of my record albums years ago. Any advice for someone starting from scratch with vinyl after all these years?

First Watch: Telekinesis, 'Empathetic People'

Robin Hilton — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:29:00 +0000
In the latest video from Seattle-based pop masters Telekinesis, for the song "Empathetic People," frontman Michael Benjamin Lerner ambles into an abandoned record-pressing factory and gets it running again.

First Watch: Gary Clark Jr., 'Numb'

Bob Boilen — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:03:00 +0000
In the seven months since Gary Clark, Jr. released his major label debut, Blak and Blu, he's played for the President at the White House with Mick Jagger and blues legend B.B.

New Music From The Polyphonic Spree, Jon Hopkins, Eleanor Friedberger, More

editor — Tue, 07 May 2013 18:33:00 +0000
This week, All Songs Considered goes big with massive, heart-thumping new music from the gloriously exuberant, sprawling pop group The Polyphonic Spree, and the brilliantly experimental folk-rock band Akron Family.

Viking's Choice: Speedy Ortiz's Sweet And Sour 'Tiger Tank'

Lars Gotrich — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:10:00 +0000
Sadie Dupuis: rock 'n' roll camp counselor, poet, songwriter, snack enthusiast. If you don't already want to be her best friend based on that description, Dupuis' solo-moniker-turned-band Speedy Ortiz captures the nonsensical wit of Stephen Malkmus, but is simultaneously ballsier and more self-deprecating.

Song Premiere: Sharon Jones' Explosive 'Retreat'

Bob Boilen — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:24:00 +0000
If this song had just the tubular bells at the top and then that Motown guitar riff, I'd have been hooked and happy. But then, along comes Sharon Jones, the brilliant, powerful soul singer, and the song explodes. "Retreat!" is the perfect marriage of singer, song and band. A lot has happened to Sharon Jones and Bushwick's brilliant professors of soul, the Dap-Kings, in the three years since they last recorded. They played the Apollo, the Hollywood Bowl, Sydney Opera House and SXSW.

First Watch: Alpine's Mind-And-Body-Bending 'Gasoline'

Bob Boilen — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:59:00 +0000
A is for Alpine and it's also the name of Alpine's debut album. Alpine is a six-piece ensemble from Australia with an airy sound led by singers Phoebe Baker and Lou James. The group's album, A is for Alpine, has been out in their home since 2012, but it arrives in the U.S.

Question Of The Week: Do You Hear Music When You Dream?

Robin Hilton — Mon, 06 May 2013 17:44:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oxb4LayC7A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQXCELBPI6Q

First Watch: The Handsome Family, 'Woodpecker'

Bob Boilen — Mon, 06 May 2013 16:03:00 +0000
The Handsome Family, the wife and husband duo of Rennie Sparks (vocals, bass and banjo) and Brett Sparks (vocals, guitar and keyboards), love telling stories, and they've been doing it in song for 20 years. A new album, Wilderness, is out May 14, and "Woodpecker," a song from the album, tells a fascinating tale about Mary Sweeney, who, in the 1890's, was known as the Wisconsin Window Smasher.

First Watch: Femi Kuti, 'The World Is Changing'

Bob Boilen — Fri, 03 May 2013 20:11:00 +0000
"'The World Is Changing' is groove with a message." That quote, a pretty good summary of the music of Femi Kuti in just nine words, comes from Juan Gélas, the creative director of a new video for Kuti's new song. Femi Kuti is a saxophonist, trumpeter, keyboard player and singer and songwriter. The son of legendary afrobeat musician Fela Kuti, he carries on the tradition of mixing Nigerian beats along with jazz and a healthy dose of politics.

Viking's Choice: Chuck Johnson Plays A Raga That Rages

Lars Gotrich — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:03:00 +0000
American Primitive music is flourishing right now. Electric and acoustic guitarists like William Tyler, Steve Gunn and Glenn Jones all have stellar releases out or on the way in 2013, and each digs different paths into this blues-based style.

Meet Until The Ribbon Breaks: Stark Music Paired With Enigmatic Images

Bob Boilen — Thu, 02 May 2013 20:40:00 +0000
Pete Lawrie Winfield makes music as Until The Ribbon Breaks, stark music with a good deep vibe; Massive Attack or James Blake would be good touchstones. Until The Ribbon Breaks doesn't have much music out yet, but "Pressure," a new song, has urgency. "'Pressure' was written at a time of upheaval and transition for me," Winfield writes. "I was sleeping at my studio and had no idea what I was going to do next.

We Get Mail: What To Do When You've Burned Out On Your Favorite Music

Stephen Thompson — Thu, 02 May 2013 18:09:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MMXjunSx80
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBw777jRqbM

First Watch: Kurt Vile, 'Never Run Away'

Jacob Ganz — Thu, 02 May 2013 14:47:00 +0000
Kurt Vile is sometimes known as a shredder, which isn't exactly right. His guitar playing is accomplished, but it doesn't blow your hair back so much as wrap it gently in a worn, sun-bleached kerchief.
Vile's new album, Wakin on a Pretty Daze, is a perfect soundtrack for a hazy afternoon in a comfortable spot, and the new video for "Never Run Away" provides visuals to match.

Vampire Weekend On New York, Souls Of Mischief And The Secrets Of Its New Album

Bob Boilen — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:25:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weAsC-VTPw8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4xr2665JOk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mDxcDjg9P4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_AeEjN8Xvs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enwaAEQcQE0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mX46e4GtlXM

Viking's Choice: Enter Deafheaven's Exhilarating 'Dream House'

editor — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:03:00 +0000
Deafheaven makes music that's both intensely personal and incredibly universal. Its excellent 2011 debut, Roads to Judah, was a blast-beaten, shoegaze-indebted metal record that felt perfectly of its moment. With the new Sunbather coming up so quickly, I wondered where primary members George Clarke (vocals) and Kerry McCoy (guitar) could take a band with such an immediate sound.