Vote: The Year's Best Music (So Far)

Today's poll has two questions: What are the best albums of the year so far, and what are the best songs? You can pick up to five for each -- five albums and five songs. Each comes with two long lists, so you'll have to scroll down to see all of the nominees.

The poll closes July 26. We'll post results here in the blog, and on All Songs Considered, on Monday, July 27.

The artists, albums and songs listed in the poll were pulled from the most popular nominees listeners submitted through this blog. If you don't see one of your favorites in the list, tell us your choices in the comments section below.

10:54 AM ET | 07-13-2009 | permalink

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Best Music Of The Year So Far, Part 2

by Bob Boilen

A few weeks ago, we asked you to nomiate your favorite three CDs of 2009 so far, along with your favorite three songs of the year. If you've not spent any time looking at the posts, it's totally worth doing.

It certainly got me thinking about some of my favorites. On All Things Considered today, I spoke with Melissa Block about some of the music I love that I feel is being overlooked: Patrick Watson, The Low Anthem and Fanfarlo.

Nominate your three favorite CDs and songs here. Later this week, we'll make a poll based on your nominations, and then it'll be voting time.

4:52 PM ET | 07- 7-2009 | permalink

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Poll: Do Record Labels Matter?

by Bob Boilen

I was trying to search my iTunes library for all the music I owned on the Merge Records label when it hit me: Record-label data isn't listed in iTunes, which means I was up the creek. There was no easy way I could look at a song or album and know who put it out. I found this depressing.

For any given song in my iTunes library, I could tell you the bit rate, the release date, the number of times I played it and the last time I skipped over it, but not the label that put it out. It's practically criminal.

In the past, record labels were often the second biggest factor in deciding whether I'd buy a record. Only the artwork mattered more when I knew nothing else about an album. So, now that we buy fewer tangible bits of music, I've got a survey for you:

Continue reading "Poll: Do Record Labels Matter?" »

1:20 PM ET | 07- 6-2009 | permalink

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Your Favorite Music Of The Year So Far

by Bob Boilen

Robin Hilton and I think that, if the year ended right now, this would be one of the best years for music we've encountered. What do you think?

As we hit the halfway point in 2009, I want you to list your favorite three songs of the year and your favorite three albums so far. We'll compile a list of the songs and albums most mentioned, and in a week or so, we'll make a poll. Let's see how it unfolds.

If you don't already follow us on Twitter, you can find us @allsongs. That way, you'll know when the poll goes live. We also have a newsletter you can sign up for, and we'll announce it there, as well.

So go ahead and make your list and post it on the blog. And, while you're at it, answer this question in the poll below about music in 2009.

8:14 AM ET | 06-12-2009 | permalink

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Do Lyrics Matter?

by Bob Boilen

I'm a "lyrics first" kind of guy.
When I first hear a new record, if they words are lame or cliche, I'm done. But sure, great music can make me forget bad lyrics. How else can I explain having James Brown's "Sex Machine" in my collection?

So, take the survey and add your thoughts. What are some great songs with lousy lyrics, or lousy songs with great lyrics?

2:34 PM ET | 06- 1-2009 | permalink

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How Much Is Too Much?

by Robin Hilton

On Feb. 19, Leonard Cohen will give a rare live performance at the Beacon Theater in New York. It's only one night, and there are way more fans than seats, so it's no surprise that the tickets run a little high. But when Bob and I saw the ticket broker price range online, our eyes bugged out: Upper balcony seats start at $289, lower balcony seats are $495, and the best orchestra seats are -- wait for it -- $3,450. Seriously. More than three grand.

I remember seeing some of my all-time favorite bands at various clubs in Athens, Ga., for five bucks. But that's outrageously high compared to some of the shows Bob's seen: The old 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., used to showcase three bands for $3.

Some of us at NPR Music were incredulous recently when we saw that tickets for a Flight of The Conchords show were running around $40, but Bob thought that was completely reasonable.

What do you think? How much would you pay to see your favorite band(s) live?

10:24 AM ET | 02-12-2009 | permalink

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