10 Favorite Metal Albums Of 2014
In 2014, metal still believes in traditions and keeps the faith, but recognizes that evolution is inevitable — with some of its defenders kicking and screaming.
Tag: NPR
Mary Timony Brings ‘Understated Swagger’ To Ex Hex
Ex Hex is an all-female band led by ex-Wild Flag guitarist and rock veteran Mary Timony. The group released a strong record this year that slipped under a lot of people’s radar.
Latin Music We Loved In 2014: Texas Heat and Miami Soul
Our friends from NPR’s Alt.Latino stop by to tell us their favorite artists of the year.
‘Crabs For Christmas’: A Tuneful Baltimore Tradition (Really!)
More than 30 years ago, David DeBoy wrote a hit holiday song about a local delicacy. Its success led to other Baltimore-themed Christmas songs, then to albums and finally to a live show.
Tiny Desk Concert: HMSTR
Watch our favorite hamsters Joni and Nash rip up the floors of the Tiny Desk and play their twee-as-all-get-out holiday pop-punk song, “Snow Day.” You can’t handle the cuteness.
An Alt.Latino Christmas, With Cantigas In Concert
Celebrate the season with songs from across the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking world.
Dessa: Something Old And Something New, Suitable For Choir
Watch the singer and rapper perform “Skeleton Key” and “The Good Fight” with the VocalEssence choir.
The Best Unheralded R&B Of 2014
If we’re being honest, there was no consensus in R&B this year. Too many things happened, and we missed some ground-hugging gems, even a couple made by legends. These are ten of those.
Watch ‘Road Dawgs,’ A Mini-Documentary About Future Islands
In Road Dawgs, the members of Future Islands speak candidly about the group’s nearly decade-long career and its new-found success.
Worth The Wait: The Transcendent Groove Of D’Angelo’s ‘Black Messiah’
There’s usually reason to be apprehensive when an artist spends years in the workshop on a single set of songs. But nearly 15 years after Voodoo, the R&B singer still makes tricky music sound easy.
An Afro Blue Christmas
Howard University’s premier vocal jazz ensemble visits NPR to share an assortment of holiday music.
Public Radio’s 10 Breakout Artists Of 2014
Hosts from across the country share their favorite new discoveries, from Niia to Hozier.
‘Voices Within The Music’: A Brief History Of Guitar Effects
Be it an effects pedal or a hole stabbed in an amp, distortion and sound manipulation have long been part of rock ‘n’ roll’s DNA.
Wu-Tang’s Fabulous Fabulist Returns
Ghostface Killah’s new 36 Seasons is a concept album with a big cast. It stars his Tony Starks alter ego in dense action scenes.
The Music Midnight Makes: In Conversation With Joni Mitchell
The legendary composer and singer showed up at NPR’s Culver City studios just before the dead of night to talk about her “helium voice,” overcoming polio and painting songs with Bob Dylan.
St. Paul And The Broken Bones: Tiny Desk Concert
The band’s got heart and soul and flair, with a well-worn sound buoyed by strong, fresh songwriting.
All Songs Considered: The Year In Music 2014
As the year comes to a close, All Songs Considered hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton join NPR Music editors Ann Powers and Stephen Thompson to reflect on the best music of 2014.
First Listen: ‘When I Reach That Heavenly Shore: Unearthly Black Gospel 1926-1936’
They might seem dusty, almost mystical or supernatural, but the vibrant songs on this three-disc set come from a golden age of gospel that set the path for rock ‘n’ roll.
First Listen: PRhyme, ‘PRhyme’
The collaborative project made by rapper Royce Da 5′ 9″ and producer DJ Premier is in actual fact a hardcore rap fan’s dream come true.
First Listen: Ghostface Killah, ’36 Seasons’
A superstar cast made a real life love story — disguised as an action movie — just because.