Heavy Rotation: 10 Songs Public Radio Can’t Stop Playing
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Tag: NPR
Latitudes: The International Music You Must Hear In August
African psychedelia, funked-up Indian bhangra and haunting music from France by way of Cuba — a deep treasure trove of cuts to end your summer on a high note.
Viking’s Choice: Accept, ‘Final Journey’
Could Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg have guessed that, one day, a cocksure German heavy metal band — now 40 years strong — would pay tribute to his “Morning Mood” melody?
Bob Mould: Tiny Desk Concert
The former Hüsker Dü and Sugar frontman plugs in for a characteristically loud four-song set — three from his new solo album (Beauty and Ruin) and one from the band that launched his career.
Hamilton Leithauser: Tiny Desk Concert
The Walkmen went on hiatus at the end of 2013. In this three-song set, singer Hamilton Leithauser demonstrates that he’s lost none of his power, even as he’s matured and loosened as a performer.
Lydia Loveless: Tiny Desk Concert
A 23-year-old singer-guitarist, Loveless performs gritty, countrified blues-rock in the NPR Music offices. Her three subdued but seething songs paint a picture of a smart, no-nonsense talent.
Conor Oberst: Tiny Desk Concert
The Bright Eyes singer performs songs from Upside Down Mountain with help from members of Dawes, recorded live on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the NPR Music offices.
Marian McLaughlin: Tiny Desk Concert
A quirky and wistful performer with a string section, McLaughlin makes music like few others. Listening feels as if you’ve entered her meticulously decorated living room.
Mannie Fresh Live: ‘Real Talk’
The legendary producer and DJ flew in from New Orleans to regale a Washington D.C. crowd with stories about Cash Money Records, Lil Wayne’s career plan, Mantronix and working with Mos Def.
Quilt: Tiny Desk Concert
Interweaving harmonies and guitar lines from Anna Fox Rochinski and Shane Butler set the tone for these tunes — soft and benevolent, dreamy and quivering.
First Listen: ‘Farewell Transmission: The Music Of Jason Molina’
The singer-songwriter was widely beloved by musicians; anyone who’s ever tried to channel the blues would know how pure his were. Here, some of the artists he inspired tackle 27 of his songs.
Viking’s Choice: Swear To The Oath, Faithful Servant
When you name your band after a Mercyful Fate song, you’d better damn well live up to it. Thankfully, The Oath’s “Silk Road” sounds something like Heart raised on a healthy dose of King Diamond.
First Listen: The Afghan Whigs, ‘Do To The Beast’
The band’s first album in 16 years still showcases the voice and vision of a solitary, brilliant man in a constant tug-of-war with evil, as he imagines it.
Lowland Hum: Tiny Desk Concert
It’s hard to convey the sound of two people in love, but Lowland Hum does that effortlessly. The married couple’s music is mostly unadorned and pure, with considerable attention to detail.
Asaf Avidan: Tiny Desk Concert
A well-known Israeli singer, formerly with a folkish rock band called Asaf Avidan & The Mojos, Avidan has a new record and no U.S. record label to put it out. But he’s on a solo tour that’s stunning.
Brass Bed: Tiny Desk Concert
The four guys in the Louisiana band buck a long streak of bad luck on the road and make it to the NPR Music offices for a memorable performance.
Cate Le Bon: Tiny Desk Concert
The Welsh singer’s set conveys loneliness and doubt with just two guitars and an inviting whisper. These three songs from Mug Museum work well stripped-down — not that there was much excess in the original versions to begin with.
Viking’s Choice: Psalm Zero Masters Its Own ‘Undoing’
One of the most oddly compelling heavy music albums of the year, so far, comes from an unlikely duo.
Fanfare Ciocarlia: Tiny Desk Concert
From wedding songs to American rock ‘n’ roll to the occasional James Bond theme, the joyous Balkan brass band plays at a pace that would make the Ramones burst into a sweat.
Black, Latino And Proud: Black History Month With Alt.Latino
The show kicks off its Black History Month coverage with the creators of the LatiNegr@s Project, which is dedicated to documenting the stories and perspectives of Black Latinos.