Dr. Dog Joins the BPP

Filed under: Music

Philly indie rock band Dr. Dog stopped by last week to chat and play songs from their new album, "Fate." We played a portion of the interview on the show today, but since the BPP's time is short, we didn't have space for the whole thing. Here's the full Dr. Dog interview, with an additional song performance that didn't air today:

Stream the entire new album on the band's MySpace page.

Dan Pashman

11:02 AM ET | 07-23-2008 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

Pitchfork Explains The 'Black Kids' Backtrack

Filed under: Music

These dogs have bad news for Black Kids.

Image: Pitchfork Media

 

Very early this morning, before we did the show, the music website Pitchforkmedia.com posted today's reviews, leading with the debut album, Partie Traumatic, from the Florida band Black Kids.

When I logged on at 6:30 a.m., the site's front page showed a link to the review with the curious tease "Everybody makes mistakes." The review itself was sharper. The site gave the album a lowest-possible 0.0 (Pitchfork scores records up to 10.0) along with a photo of two small dogs and the caption "Sorry :-/" as the only written commentary.

Slightly funny, slightly mean. Then things got interesting. Some time between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m., the review, which is credited to Pitchfork editor-in-chief Scott Plagenhoef, got a facelift. The front page tease now reads as follows:

"After a well-received EP, Jacksonville's Black Kids release a Bernard Butler-produced debut that surprisingly hit the top 5 in the UK."

The score was changed from 0.0 to 3.3.

Continue reading "Pitchfork Explains The 'Black Kids' Backtrack" »

Jacob Ganz

10:09 AM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink | comments (13) | e-mail post

Soundcheck Never Sounded So Good

Filed under: Music, Video

The band Headlights hails from Champaign, Illinois, but we met them at Brooklyn's Union Hall. We were first attracted to their boy-girl harmonies and full sound. The press notes namecheck Phil Spector and his 60s doo-wop groups, and we hear some classic mid-90s indie rock bands in their sound as well - but were happy to discover that they're five of the nicest people we could have hoped to meet. The music's pretty great, too. Check out their performance of "School Boys" from their album Some Racing, Some Stopping.

Zena Barakat

8:10 AM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Patti Smith, Live From Lebanon

Filed under: Music

Patti Smith plays the Byblos festival, July 8.

Joseph Barrak/AFP/Getty Images

 

Last night I saw a Patti Smith concert. Remember punk rock legend Patti Smith?

She's most known for her 1978 hit "Because the Night."

I saw her in the most unlikely of venues: the ancient Phoenician city of Byblos, Lebanon. She kicked off this year's Byblos International Festival. The concert was attended by Lebanon's new president, Michel Suleiman. I wish I'd had a portal into his brain during the show. Is he a fan?

As it turned out, Patti Smith was more powerful in what she said than in her music. When she conveyed a message of unity and peace, the crowd went wild. But when her songs began, they were largely lost on the audience. When she let her voice wail, the audience went nuts. But a lot of her songs were led by heavy keyboard riffs that were too pillowy for the famous rocker, and the audience felt it.

That is, until she sang "Because the Night." That's when the crowd rose to its feet, and teenagers ran to the base of the stage. Smith paused and let the audience take over the chorus:

"Because the night belongs to lovers. Because the night belongs to us."

That song hit the charts a couple years before I was born, and that's probably why I never really paid attention to it.

Until last night. That song rocks. When the crowd rose, I did, too. I belted whatever lyrics I knew, and the ones I didn't know, I made up.

Now when I hear that song, I'll picture Patti Smith on stage in Byblos, with a cedar of Lebanon pendant around her neck, a Lebanese flag on her right. Behind the stage, a 12th century castle built by the Crusaders. Behind the crowd, the Mediterranean.

Zena Barakat

3:15 PM ET | 07- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Top 5: Call It A Ritual?

Filed under: Music

Everyone needs more music, right? How about five songs in less than a minute each?

No big philosophy here. Just tracks I've been playing enough to screw up the perfect distribution of randomness on my iTunes shuffle setting. I'm going to try to post five songs every week, so if anyone out there has some secret awesomeness tucked away, drop a note in the comments below.

Continue reading "Top 5: Call It A Ritual?" »

Jacob Ganz

2:33 PM ET | 06-27-2008 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

The Quavers Perform at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

The Brooklyn-based band The Quavers use all sorts of gadgets to create their self-described "porch techno" music. Here's their performance of "Green Plastic Soldiers."

Zena Barakat

10:03 AM ET | 06-26-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

From the Studio: Pop Collage, pre-Girl Talk

Filed under: Music

We had Matthew Perpetua on the show today to help us out with an assisted listen to the new Girl Talk record, Feed The Animals, which cycles through close to 300 samples in its 53 minutes. It's a ride through the last 40 years of pop history, though one that - as Matthew pointed out - seems very of this particular moment.

But Girl Talk is hardly the first artist to use pop music as fodder for collage. As soon as we started playing clips from Feed The Animals in the studio, our engineer Manoli Wetherell turned around and said, "Hey, this sounds like Steinski!"

Whoski?

Manoli has the answer:

When Jacob came into the control room with clips for the interview on the new Girl Talk album, I couldn't believe how very very much like Steinski the whole thing felt. So much that one of the clips sounded like pure Steinski to me, like it was just lifted straight out of one of his mixes, Jazz.

In case you don't know, Steinski and his mixing partner Double Dee have been around since the early 80s. In 1983 they won the Tommy Boy Records contest to re-mix "Play that Beat, Mr. DJ".

So, from all of the mixes submitted the judges must have been a bit surprised that the winners were two white guys, one in his late twenties and the other in his early thirties, older than the average hip-hop listener. That mix, Lesson One -- The Payoff Mix, and the ones that followed were very influential. I like the way they build and grow as they are tell a musical story. The clips Steinski uses are from all over -- old TV spots, hip hop, jazz, Mario Savio, blues, gospel, Fiorello La Guardia, old vinyl from I don't know when or where. I love listening to Steinski, I always hear something new. I love his mix "Jazz", it always puts me in a good mood. Or at least a better mood! It can be a bit of a hunt to find his stuff but well well worth it!

Steinski has a webpage -- www.Steinski.com where you can download some of his old shows on WFMU.

Thanks, Manoli. And yes, like Girl Talk's music, Steinski's is based largely around un-cleared samples from copyrighted material. So it's technically illegal to sell. But here's a sample from Lesson 3 (The History Of Hip-Hop) to start off your hunt.

Jacob Ganz

3:14 PM ET | 06-23-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Listener Challenge: Name the sample

Filed under: Luncheonette, Music

Artist Gregg Gillis (aka Girl Talk)

Andrew Strasser

 

Today on the show, we did an assisted listen to Girl Talk aka Gregg Gillis's latest album, Feed the Animals. Gillis is a mashup artist who samples just about everything you could imagine.

So here's our challenge to you BPP listeners: name as many samples as you can in this song, "Like This."

Cheaters as always can go to Wikipedia.

Caitlin Kenney

2:07 PM ET | 06-23-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

G. Love Spreads the, uh, Love

Filed under: Music, Video

G. Love stopped by the BPP studios to play "Peace, Love and Happiness" off his new album, Superhero Brother.

Zena Barakat

5:40 PM ET | 06-18-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

What's the Best "I'll Fly Away" Ever?

Filed under: Music

Today I made a contribution to the continuing BPP series, "Best Song in the World Today," with the classic spiritual "I'll Fly Away." The choice was inspired by the jarring experience of going from the Grand Canyon to Las Vegas last weekend.

My wife and I went from a place created entirely by nature over several hundred million years to a place created entirely by humans in a geological instant, and it was quite a shock to the system. (The experience came complete with a guy in a "Buttweiser" T-shirt that proclamed him the "King of Rears.") Hear about the whole epic debacle here.

"I'll Fly Away" was originally written by Albert Brumley in 1929, and since then it's become one of the most covered songs of all time. It's been performed by everyone from Andy Griffith to Kanye West. Working on this segment actually got me thinking: What's the best version of "I'll Fly Away" ever?

Continue reading "What's the Best "I'll Fly Away" Ever?" »

Dan Pashman

8:39 AM ET | 06-17-2008 | permalink | comments (16) | e-mail post

Video: Mason Jennings Rocks

Filed under: Music, Video

Mason Jennings performed songs from his new album In the Ever at the BPP studios. Here's a video of his hilarious song: "Your New Man." Watch until the end, when he tells the stories behind his tattoos.

Zena Barakat

4:46 PM ET | 06-16-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Perfect Friday Music? That is the Ques-tee-un.

Filed under: Music

Sometimes I forget that music existed between 1987 and 1991, and then Ian walks out of the meeting singing "Mercedes Boy" and I'm all like "mer-mer-mer-mercedes" for the rest of the day. It's like a wormhole.

This song comes up in the BPP office more than you might expect. A couple of weeks ago, when Adam Drucker was in the studio to talk about his new CD with the band Subtle, somebody else started talking about "Mercedes Boy," and Adam challenged us to come up with the name of Pebbles other big hit. I drew a blank until today.

Oh oh o-woo-oh. I'm totally going to have a three song dance party this afternoon with this, Two of Hearts, and Head to Toe.

Jacob Ganz

11:09 AM ET | 06-13-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Hayden Performs at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Toronto-based Hayden dropped by the BPP studios to play his beautiful, heartbreaking tunes. Here's Worthy of Your Esteem from his new album, In Field & Town.

Zena Barakat

8:22 AM ET | 06- 9-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Doseone Rocks the BPP

Filed under: Music

When Adam Drucker -- aka "Doseone," the emcee for the band Subtle -- stopped by the BPP a couple of weeks ago, he ended up hijacking most of our day. Subtle has made a dense, intricate sci-fi themed trilogy of records featuring a character called Hour Hero Yes who's trying to escape from a world slightly removed from our own. Ambitious, yes. And easy to bury your head in; maybe not so easy to emerge from.

Before the band recorded the third album in the trilogy, "ExitingARM," Drucker wrote a 20,000 word document he calls "The Ought Almanac of Amassed Fact Vol 1." It's sort of a guide to the adventures of Hour Hero Yes, and Drucker is in the process of turning that work into a Web-based graphic novel. While he was at the BPP, he was kind enough to record some of that work, and then gave us some of the original music that was fleshed out on "ExitingARM" to use as a backing track. You'll see the art from exitingarm.com in the video as well.

Drucker isn't shy about his ambitions -- he references sci-fi epics, Galway poetry, and real life-and-death encounters in the same breath -- but he's a joy to listen to. Always challenging, and always a pleasure. Plus, after he finished reading his poetry, he completely demolished BPP video producer Win Rosenfeld in a freestyle rap battle.

Jacob Ganz

1:30 PM ET | 06- 6-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

A Guy in 'Guyville'

Filed under: Luncheonette, Music

Our treat for you today: a little more Liz Phair. She was on the show today to talk about her 1993 album Exile in Guyville and since the songs on that classic album have been stuck in our heads all day, we though we'd share.

Exile introduced me to two new worlds: indie rock and the Internet. Growing up, I listened mostly to whatever I could pick up on the radio, so when a friend (an older, cooler friend) handed me a tape of Exile (120-minute cassette, the full album dubbed onto each side), it was literally like nothing I'd ever heard.

The idea that there was music out there that the radio didn't play blew my mind a little.

And because there was no way to find out more about who she was (or what my friend meant when she called the album a song-by-song response to Exile on Main Street by the Rolling Stones) in Bellingham, Wash., I turned to the Internet. I learned how to search, chat, subscribe to mailing lists, all to find out more about Liz Phair.

Yeah, OK. I was obsessed. But you only get one first favorite record. Exile is mine, by a long shot.

After the jump, Liz Phair finally explains the whole "song by song response to Exile on Main Street" thing. If only I had heard this interview when I was sixteen.

Continue reading "A Guy in 'Guyville'" »

Jacob Ganz

2:08 PM ET | 06- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

The Bo Diddley Beat

Filed under: Music

Musician Bo Diddley passed away yesterday at 79. Today on the BPP, musicologist Ned Sublette guided us on an assisted listen of Diddley's music, to help put his contributions in context. We also put together a little audio montage to emphasize Diddley's musical calling card, the Bo Diddley beat. Take a listen to that beat as it echoes through some more modern pop music...

For those of you keeping score at home, that was...

1. "Bo Diddley" - Bo Diddley
2. "I Want Candy" - Bow Wow Wow
3. "Desire" - U2
4. "She's the One" - Bruce Springsteen
5. "Faith" - George Michael
6. "Bo Diddley" - Bo Diddley

Dan Pashman

9:22 AM ET | 06- 3-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Video: Mates of State

Filed under: Music, Video

It's a family affair for the duo Mates of State. When husband-and-wife Jason Hammel and Kori Gardner came to the BPP studios, they brought their kids and Kori's mom babysat. They call their blog Band on the Diaper Run.

Forget everything you think you know about rockstars. Mates of State have a picture-perfect Connecticut suburban life and it's cool.

Here's My Only Offer from their new album Re-Arrange Us.

Zena Barakat

1:06 PM ET | 05-28-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Video: Sondre Lerche on the BPP Jukebox

Filed under: Music, Video

Although the U.N. declared this week that Iceland is the best place in the world to live, former six-time champ Norway still has Sondre Lerche to brag about. At the tender age of 25, this singer/songwriter has written the music for a major motion picture and toured with Aha, Elvis Costello and Beth Orton. He stopped by the studio yesterday to play us a couple of tunes from his new album. Check out his performance of "To Be Surprised":

Laura Conaway

8:32 AM ET | 05-19-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Best Busker Balla Tounkara Performs at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Balla Tounkara, kora player and singer handily won our first BPP Best Busker contest last week. Tounkara claims that he's a 40th generation kora player, and based on the way he played that rare instrument at the BPP yesterday, it's a hard point to argue. Here he is, your champion, Balla Tounkara with his original piece, "Nina".

BONUS: After the jump, Balla discusses his rare and possibly "powerful" instrument with Rachel.

Continue reading "Best Busker Balla Tounkara Performs at the BPP " »

Win Rosenfeld

7:33 AM ET | 05-16-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Death Cab for Cutie Plays the BPP

Filed under: Music

Death Cab for Cutie stopped by the BPP yesterday to deliver some musical goodness from their new album, Narrow Stairs. It's the band's second major label effort and its already getting some serious attention from critics and listeners alike. Here's DCFC with the somewhat co-dependently titled but beautifully written single off that record, "I Will Possess Your Heart."

Win Rosenfeld

8:56 AM ET | 05-15-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

A Little More Fun with Jason Mraz

Filed under: Music, Video

Today's show took another listen to Jason Mraz, who came to the BPP studios awhile back to play some tunes. Here's his performance of a track from his first album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come:

Laura Conaway

7:19 AM ET | 05-13-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

On the Victory Train: Balla Tounkara

Filed under: Music, Video

The Baby Soda Jazz Band made a furious last-minute run over the weekend, but they couldn't catch Balla Tounkara. The koura player from Mali has won the Bryant Park Project's first ever audience poll for subway buskers.

Tounkara was one of 50 musical acts to audition for New York City's Music Underground program. Every year, the subway system gives 20 performers coveted spots throughout its network of stations.

When voting ended this morning at 6 o'clock, we'd had 6141 ballots cast. I'll drop a screenshot of the results after the jump.

Now we're off to find Tounkara so we can have him in to play for the BPP.

Continue reading "On the Victory Train: Balla Tounkara" »

Laura Conaway

7:03 AM ET | 05-12-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Vote for Your Favorite Subway Busker

Filed under: Music

Update: Voting closed Monday at 6 a.m. See full results.

The voting continues! Watch these four clips of New York City subway buskers and choose your favorite. The winner will perform at the BPP studios.

Voting ends Monday, May 12 at 6:00AM EST.

You can also watch a story about the Music Under New York auditions, and see many more buskers, including a musician who plays an instrument without touching it.

Here are our contestants.

Zena Barakat

3:32 PM ET | 05- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Black Flag Re-Imagined from Memory

Filed under: Music

Yale dropout Dave Longstreth is no stranger to the concept album. In 2005, as the "Dirty Projectors," he released a critically lauded album, The Getty Address, based around the imaginary story of musician Don Henley. This year, he released Rise Above, an album of Black Flag songs as re-imagined from memory. According to Dave, the project started when he stumbled across the empty cassette case to the seminal punk album, Damaged while doing some spring cleaning.

Here's "Rise Above" from the new record:

Win Rosenfeld

8:55 AM ET | 05- 7-2008 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

Vote for Your Favorite Subway Busker

Filed under: Music

Update: Voting closed Monday at 6 a.m. See full results.

Fifty musical acts have squared off for 20 official spots in New York City's subway music program. We've winnowed that list into four favorites of our own. Check out the videos of each performance and vote for the one that makes your heart sing. We'll coax the winner into playing for the BPP.

Laura Conaway

8:40 AM ET | 05- 6-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Langhorne Slim Live on the BPP

Filed under: Music

Langhorne Slim's thoughtful lyrics and energetic live shows have earned him a reputation as a folk singer/songwriter with a punk rock sensibility. After success on an indie label, this week he releases his first major label album, entitled "Langhorne Slim." And he's off to a good start. Just a couple of weeks ago he made his first ever television appearance--on David Letterman.

Langhorne Slim and his band The War Eagles came by our studio yesterday to talk a bit and perform some music from their new album. Here they are doing "She's Gone"...

Dan Pashman

8:50 AM ET | 05- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Langhorne Slim to Play in Bryant Park Today

Filed under: Music

Country punk singer/songwriter Langhorne Slim will be stopping by our studio today for an interview and performance. After that we're taking Langhorne out to Bryant Park, where he's going to give an "impromptu" performance. (This blog post and one tweet on Twitter are the only promotion we're doing. So consider yourself part of a special secret club.)

We'll record the whole thing and make an awesome video, but if you're nearby and you want to come check it out, feel free. He'll be playing between 12:30 and 1 near the statue of Bryant.

Dan Pashman

10:04 AM ET | 04-30-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

?uestlove on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of the Roots talks about the band's new album, Rising Down, and the pressure of being the last black band signed to a major record label.

Win Rosenfeld

10:22 AM ET | 04-29-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Whoa: The Roots Blow Up "Masters of War"

Filed under: Music

On the show this morning, ?uestlove of the Roots talked about the hip-hop group's new record, Rising Down.

Back in 2007, the Roots bulldozed a Bob Dylan tribute concert with a cover of Dylan's "Masters of War." One critic, Rob Harvilla of the Village Voice, described the scene like this:

"And then, oh my God, 'Masters of War,' performed by the Roots, consisting in this iteration of Questlove on drums, Captain Kirk on guitar and vocals (no Black Thought this eve), some dude on tuba, and the entire Thursday-night Lincoln Center crowd on jaws-dropped-to-floor percussion."

Bonus: The complete performance, with (as far as I can tell) one profanity.

Laura Conaway

10:09 AM ET | 04-29-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Prince Covers Radiohead at Coachella

Filed under: Luncheonette, Music

Prince headlined Coachella over the weekend, and played a cover of Radiohead's "Creep" that was by all accounts legendary. It didn't take long for the performance to make it to YouTube:

Dan Pashman

11:52 AM ET | 04-28-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Assisted Listen: Trouble Funk, Ready to Go-Go

Filed under: Music

We're going to town today on Trouble Funk, the 100 percent greatest ever go-go band. Go-go combines funk and hip-hop, and maybe some magical stuff that's not easily transcribed in Roman letters.

Thanks to music professor Kip Lornell of George Washington University for the assisted listen.

Laura Conaway

8:20 AM ET | 04-24-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Smoosh Rocks Out in a 'BPP' Cubicle

Filed under: Music, Video

Smoosh is a band of three sisters, all born after Bill Clinton was first elected president, Michael Jordan was in his prime, and Nirvana released its ground-breaking album Nevermind.

Asya, 16, plays the keyboards, sings lead, writes the lyrics. Chloe, 14, plays the drums and also sings. They arrange the songs together. Maia, 11, just joined the band last summer as the bass player. They've opened for Pearl Jam, Death Cab for Cutie, and Sleater-Kinney.

Yes, they're young, but focus on that and you'll miss the point. They're really good.

Smoosh came to the BPP offices to play two new, unrecorded songs, "Great Skies" and "Dark Shine."

Enjoy.

Zena Barakat

8:12 AM ET | 04-24-2008 | permalink | comments (14) | e-mail post

Nominees, Please: British Bands That Sound British

Filed under: Music, Sound Off

Yesterday I asked singer-songwriter Kate Nash a really brilliant question, which went something like: Uhhh, you're English . . . and you sound it, what's up with that?

Because isn't it the case that a lot of Brit bands, when they sing, sound American? The reverse is a rarity, American singers who sound British, Billy Joe of Green Day being the most prominent example. Musical genius Jacob Ganz and I began brainstorming the category of Acts that Sound the Most British. After the jump our top nominees, and a request for yours:

Continue reading "Nominees, Please: British Bands That Sound British" »

Mike Pesca

7:55 AM ET | 04-24-2008 | permalink | comments (12) | e-mail post

Kate Nash Performs at the BPP

Filed under: Music

The English-Irish singer-songwriter stopped by the BPP studios to discuss her latest album, Made of Bricks, and to play a few of her favorite songs. Here's "Skeleton Song," off that record.

Win Rosenfeld

11:52 AM ET | 04-23-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

The Decemberists' Colin Meloy Plays at the 'BPP'

Filed under: Music, Video

The Decemberists' frontman Colin Meloy is on a solo tour. He's released several solo EPs, but he recently came out with his first full solo album, Colin Meloy Sings Live!. He dropped by the BPP studios to talk to Alison and play Wonder from the record. He wrote it shortly after he found out his girlfriend was pregnant.

Zena Barakat

8:40 AM ET | 04-18-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Jason Mraz Performs at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

On his New York tour stop, Jason Mraz came to the BPP studios to chat for a bit and play some tunes. Here's his performance of a track from his first album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come:

Zena Barakat

9:51 AM ET | 04-16-2008 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Rogue Wave Perform Live on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

The last year or so has been pretty up-and-down for Rogue Wave. Guitarist Gram LeBron's father passed away. Drummer Pat Spurgeon spent much of the time between gigs on dialysis, before a kidney transplant finally came through and saved his life. Former bassist Evan Farrell was killed in an accidental fire. Frontman Zach Rogue's grandfather passed away, and weeks later his first child was born.

Meanwhile Rogue Wave earned critical acclaim for their latest album, Asleep At Heaven's Gate, and this summer they'll open for Jack Johnson and Death Cab for Cutie. Zach Rogue and Pat Spurgeon came by our studio yesterday to talk about the yin and the yang of the band's lives and music, and to play us some songs. Here they are performing "Lake Michigan."

Dan Pashman

8:30 AM ET | 04-15-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Test Your Cover Art Knowledge with Erykah Badu

Filed under: Music

In addition to today's assisted listen series, we need your assistance to identify all the LP covers mimicked in Erykah Badu's video for the track "Honey." I'm taking the easy one, De La Soul's Three Feet High and Rising.

Alison Stewart

9:23 AM ET | 04-14-2008 | permalink | comments (14) | e-mail post

Robyn Hitchcock Plays at the BPP Studios

Filed under: Music, Stuff We Love, Video

(Editor: We'll just go ahead and admit to loving Robyn Hitchcock.)

Zena Barakat

5:43 PM ET | 04-10-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Coming at You: Muxtape.com

Filed under: Music

Making a run at the way we listen to music.

 

On March 25, a New York City photographer guy posted this on his blog:

"I'm proud to introduce Muxtape, a new way to share, discover and listen to hand-picked music online."

Within days, people in our Twitter-verse began sending us links to Muxtape.com, and I can see why. The site lets you create a 12-song playlist that you can display on the site or send out as a simple link -- as in justin.muxtape.com.

I've got a message into Justin Ouellette, the brain behind Muxtape. Meanwhile, here's a bit more from his site:

"My goal is nothing short of changing the way we consume, distribute, and discover music."

Laura Conaway

7:17 AM ET | 04- 9-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

BPP Jukebox: Blues Traveler

Filed under: Music, Video

Long awhile back, Blues Traveler turned up in our studio to showcase cuts from their new record Cover Yourself -- on which John Popper and the gang re-interpret 11 of their hits from over the years. We took another spin through the session on today's show.

Here's "Carolina Blues." After the jump, it's "Reach Me."

Laura Conaway

6:14 AM ET | 04- 7-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

The Dodos: Album Art Extra!

Filed under: Music

 

When the San Francisco band the Dodos came into the studio earlier in the week, they left us with more good stuff than we could squeeze into the segment that aired on the show this morning. You can find video of their performance below, and we'll definitely play more of the band's studio session some time in the future, but here's a little nugget that slipped out of the radio piece.

The cover of the band's new album, Visiter, looks, as BPP senior producer Matt Martinez put it, like somebody's "four-year-old brother drew it." Matt's not far off. Alison asked the Dodos (guitarist and singer Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber) where the art came from.

Bonus: The Dodos play the BPP.

Jacob Ganz

11:57 AM ET | 04- 4-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

The Dodos Perform at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

The Dodos, a San Francisco-based band, stopped by the BPP studios in New York to play a couple tracks off their latest album, Visiter. Calling it "pop" music shortchanges its complexity, and calling it "moody" undersells its energy. So let's call it "clattering strummy noise-folk pop, with drive." Watch:

Zena Barakat

9:51 AM ET | 04- 4-2008 | permalink | comments (13) | e-mail post

BPP Office Pool: What Song Will NKOTB Open With?

Filed under: Music

Unless you're living under a rock or preoccupied with more important news, you know that New Kids on the Block is getting back together and performing tomorrow morning on The Today Show. And in another sign that we're all getting old, the reunion will mark the 20th anniversary of the band's breakout album, Hangin' Tough. Yes, 20 years.

So we've got one question: What song will they open with?

While you think about that, enjoy this fist-pumping walk down memory lane...

Dan Pashman

8:46 AM ET | 04- 3-2008 | permalink | comments (9) | e-mail post

BPP Music Review: Madonna Teams Up with J.T.

Filed under: Music

The first single off Madonna's new album is a duet with Justin Timberlake. Ugh. Now we must withstand the forthcoming onslaught of critics and fans who will once again marvel, as they have each time in the last 15 years when Madonna has released something, at her "incredible ability to reinvent herself."

Madonna was once the ultimate trendsetter. She was a revolutionary who changed music, changed culture, and changed sexuality. But she did all those things 20 years ago. Now she's become a parody of herself. (How will she defile a crucifix on this tour? By making it listen to her new album?)

The truth is, Madonna went from setting trends to following them a long time ago. "Reinvention" in this context is just a euphemism for "copying whatever is popular this week."

For Madonna in the year 2008, reinvention means attending the Britney School of Atonal Digitally-Modified Vocals. On her single with JT, the original queen of pop seduction sounds about as alluring as a Cuisinart. She's ripping off the people who are ripping off her from 20 years ago. As with Britney's new album, the truly impressive aspect of the music is the production. It's a great groove. But all Madonna brings is gravitas.

True reinvention requires risk. You know what I'd like to see? Madonna with an acoustic guitar and no beats whatsoever. How about a duet with Neil Diamond? Or maybe a career in parlor magic? Anything but this. Please.

Dan Pashman

9:17 AM ET | 04- 2-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

The Original Cover of 'Billie Jean'

Filed under: Music

Today on "The Most" searched Google terms was "Chris Cornell Billie Jean". An American Idol contestant did a fine job recreating Cornell's cover of the Michael Jackson classic. If you are curious, below is the former Soundgarden/Audioslave frontman's version. And for fans like me -- hold on -- a Cornell solo album is due in the spring.

Alison Stewart

1:03 PM ET | 03-26-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Old Music Tuesday: A Mash-up of Last Year's Top 25

Filed under: Music

If none of the sounds in today's new music segment appealed to you and you just want to go old school....all the way back to 2007, then just take a listen to this mash-up of the top 25 songs of the year we just left behind. Even if you didn't like one of these tunes individually, you have to admire the skill of DJ Earworm.

Alison Stewart

10:02 AM ET | 03-25-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Ida Performs at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Formed in 1992 by Daniel Littleton and Elizabeth Mitchell in Brooklyn, Ida was recognized immediately for its innovative indie-rock-meets-folk flavor. Since then, they have toured the country with Sunny Day Real Estate and Low, among others. But when Littleton and Mitchell had their first child, Storey, a new chapter opened for Ida...they started making music for children, too. Although now Ida has two audiences, they think of their music as one cohesive whole - with no age limit.

Check them out doing "Green Green Rocky Road" on the BPP:

Win Rosenfeld

7:54 AM ET | 03-21-2008 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Musical Columnist Jill Sobule Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

These days, independent artists can make some serious cash by spilling the beans on their liaisons with the politically powerful.

Well, not BPP musical columnist Jill Sobule.

Win Rosenfeld

9:56 AM ET | 03-20-2008 | permalink | comments (17) | e-mail post

South by Southwest Music, in One Gulp

Filed under: Music

Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney

The BPP didn't make it to Austin for South by Southwest this year, but we had the great pleasure of checking in with nearly all the folks who made the trip as part of NPR Music's sterling coverage of the fest. Last Monday, former Sleater-Kinney guitarist Carrie Brownstein shared her experience at SXSW as a musician -- as well as what she was looking forward to this year, as a blogger for NPR Music. Tuesday we got a double-decker treat: a preview of up-and-coming bands playing the festival from the Mayor of SXSW himself, Andy Langer, and a look at South By Southwest interactive, from NPR's own Andy Carvin, who found himself in the middle of a Twitter tornado. On Friday, Bob Boilen shared his favorites from the many bands who played the NPR-curated shows earlier in the week. And Monday, Arts reporter Neda Ulaby put a neat little bow on our coverage with a postcard from the streets of Austin.

Thanks for everything, guys. It's just like we were there! Somebody grab me a Shiner and some BBQ!

Bonus: Full South by Southwest music coverage

Jacob Ganz

12:12 PM ET | 03-18-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Terry Gross Dishes 'American Idol'

Filed under: Music

Sometimes you need candy and nothing else will do. That's what we had at the end of The Most today. Terry Gross, host of WHYY's Fresh Air joined us for the fun.

That's right. Terry Gross.

You may not know this, but she is a huge Idol fan.

The segment wasn't totally candy, though -- we did learn the meaning of the phrase "Jai guru de va om."

Matt Martinez

9:19 AM ET | 03-13-2008 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

KT Tunstall Still So Darned Cool

Filed under: Music, Video

NPR's Andy Langer reported this morning from music festival bazonkernaire South by Southwest, where a Brooklyn singer-songwriter named Jaymay is turning it up to 11. Langer traces Jaymay's success -- if not her sound -- back to the likes of a certain KT Tunstuall. KT, we loved you way back when.

KT Tunstall gives a loop pedal tutorial.

Laura Conaway

7:46 AM ET | 03-11-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Tegan and Sara Perform "Nineteen" on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Canadian-born twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin recorded their first two LP's in their high school's recording studio, and haven't looked back since. Their live show, a combination of comic banter and indie rock, has delighted critics and audiences for years, and their music has been a staple on shows such as The L Word and Gray's Anatomy.

Here's "Nineteen," off their new album "The Con."

Win Rosenfeld

7:55 AM ET | 03- 6-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

The Bowerbirds Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

The music of North Carolina's Bowerbirds is a rare blend of simple appalachian folk music and lush, natural imagery. Here they are in our studio performing"In Our Talons," from their first full length effort, "Hymns For a Dark Horse."

Win Rosenfeld

12:02 PM ET | 02-29-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Ingrid Michaelson Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Ingrid Michaelson is 28, and she lives with her parents.

She doesn't have a record deal or a huge publicity machine -- but she does have a huge hit. She produced her album Girls and Boys by herself, and thanks to the power of the Interwebs, it's skyrocketed up the itunes chart. It also grabbed the attention of the folks at Old Navy, who decided Michaelson's "The Way I Am" would make the perfect soundtrack to their latest ad.

Here's Michaelson in our studio, performing "Breakable."

Win Rosenfeld

11:53 AM ET | 02-18-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

You Can Name Jill Sobule's Band!

Filed under: Music, Sound Off, Video

BPP musical editorialist Jill Sobule is working on a new record. She also is putting together a new band. Funny thing, the witty wordsmith is at a loss for a name for her new group.

Please help Jill -- she's our friend. What should she name her band?

Alison Stewart

6:18 AM ET | 02-14-2008 | permalink | comments (33) | e-mail post

Hot Chip Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

British music group Hot Chip dropped by the Bryant Park Project last week to share a stripped-down version of their trademark electropop sound.

Here's "In the Privacy of Our Love":

Win Rosenfeld

12:51 PM ET | 02- 7-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Vampire Weekend's Guide to New York

Filed under: City Living, Music, Video

Vampire Weekend is a band worth watching. Pitchfork anointed them with its coveted "Best New Music" title this year, and The Village Voice and The New York Times have both spent plenty of column inches gushing about the band's original sound. This week, Vampire Weekend reached the top 10 on the iTunes most-downloaded list.

Some people hear the Talking Heads in their music, some hear the Clash. But everyone can agree that they have a distinctly New York feel. Weekends' lyrics range from crosstown bus rides to Upper East Side hangouts. We chatted with the Columbia graduates last week near their alma mater and discussed all things New York.

Win Rosenfeld

10:07 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (8) | e-mail post

Video: Jill Sobule's 'Ode to Super Tuesday'

Filed under: Election 2008, Music, Video

Jill Sobule, our musical columnist, sings a little ditty about politicking. It's called "Ode to Super Tuesday."

Pauline Bartolone

12:34 PM ET | 02- 5-2008 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Video: Jack Johnson Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Jack Johnson got serious about writing songs after a surfing accident at the infamous Banzai Pipeline. Known to pro surfers simply as "the Pipeline," the Hawaiian reef break has claimed the lives of many who have tried to hang ten on its massive waves. Johnson survived his rough go with 150 stitches and four lost front teeth. While recovering, he put aside his pro surfing aspirations and planted the seeds for what would become a remarkable career as a musician.

Four hit albums later, Johnson continues to amass scores of fans who are drawn to his unique brand of acoustic rock. He dropped by the BPP a while back to play a few tunes off of his latest effort, Sleep Through The Static. Here's Johnson doing the title track off that record:

To see Johnson perform "Same Girl" in our studio, check out our video podcast.

Win Rosenfeld

7:38 AM ET | 02- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Video: The Whigs Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

A year ago, Rolling Stone called the the Whigs "the best unsigned band in America." With the combination of ink like that and their trademark ear-blistering live shows, it wasn't long before Dave Matthew's ATO Records took notice and signed the Athens, Georgia, band to a multi-album deal. Their second record, Mission Control, has drawn gleeful comparisons to both Nirvana and Superchunk by critics and fans alike.

Here's a (rare) unplugged rendition of the first track off of Mission Control, "Like a Vibration":

Win Rosenfeld

10:45 AM ET | 01-30-2008 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Attracted by the Magnetic Fields? A Guide

Filed under: Music

LD Beghtol wrote the book on Stephin Merritt.

Robin Holland

LD Beghtol played and sang on the Magnetic Fields' epic 69 Love Songs and later wrote a field guide to the album.

Now the Magnetic Fields, a brainchild of Stephin Merritt, are back with a new disc, Distortion. On today's show, Beghtol talked us through it -- we call it an assisted listen to the latest work of a tres important pop musician.

Beghtol also sends a cut from his new record, Amoral Certitudes, with his outfit LD and the New Criticism. It's got Dana Kletter on vocals, and it's so worth your ears, we're going to paste it below in its own special player.

LD and the New Criticism's What You Will:

Laura Conaway

1:15 PM ET | 01-29-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

Gil Scott-Heron Performs at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Often called the godfather of rap, Gil Scott-Heron is a walking philosopher who has seen it all.

We asked Scott-Heron to come into our studio to mark Martin Luther King Day. Scott-Heron opened for Stevie Wonder in 1981 on his tour to promote the creation of the national holiday.

Now he's writing a book about that experience, which should come out in the next year. (Bonus: Scott-Heron reads from his book of poetry, The Last Holiday.)

Scott-Heron performed "Three Miles Down" at the BPP studios:

Win Rosenfeld

10:15 AM ET | 01-21-2008 | permalink | comments (9) | e-mail post

Ingrid Michaelson: Live From Sundance

Filed under: Music, Sundance Fever 2008, Video

Ingrid Michaelson is 28 years old and she lives with her parents.

She doesn't have a record deal or a huge publicity machine -- but she does have a huge hit. She produced her album Girls and Boys by herself, and thanks to the power of the Interwebs, it's skyrocketed up the itunes chart. It also grabbed the attention of the folks at Old Navy, who decided Michaelson's "The Way I Am" would make the perfect soundtrack to their latest ad.

Here's Michaelson in Park City, at the ASCAP Cafe, singing "Breakable."

Win Rosenfeld

11:17 AM ET | 01-20-2008 | permalink | e-mail post

KT Tunstall Explains It All for You

Filed under: Music, Video

Musician KT Tunstall came into the BPP studio for an interview and live performance, then she stuck around to demonstrate how she uses a loop pedal to layer multiple rhythms and guitar parts on top of each other to create a one-woman band. She's not the only musician to use one of these pedals, but she's definitely made the technique her own. Click here to see her on The Today Show using a loop pedal to perform "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." And check her out at BPP HQ providing a little tutorial...

Special props go to Zena Barakat, who's helping us out with videos this week while Win Rosenfeld goes to video camp. (It's pronounced ZAY-na. You can't possibly think of a reference to the Warrior Princess she hasn't heard, so don't bother.)

Dan Pashman

2:37 PM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink | comments (10) | e-mail post

KT Tunstall Performs Live on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Two years ago this week, Scottish musician KT Tunstall appeared on the Today Show with nothing but an acoustic guitar, a tambourine, and a array of foot pedals on the floor in front of her. It's pretty rare in this multimedia era that just a couple TV performances have much of an impact on someone's career, but folks on her message boards are still competing to find the highest quality video of that performance.

Next, Katharine McPhee covered Tunstall's "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" on American Idol. Then Tunstall's music was included in the film The Devil Wears Prada and she was off. Her debut album, Eye to the Telescope, went on to sell four million copies worldwide. Her sophomore effort, Drastic Fantastic, debuted in September at number nine on the Billboard chart.

But what seems like an overnight success story is actually the result of more than 15 years of hard work. And if Tunstall has anything to say about it, there will be many more chapters written. In an interview with the BPP today, she talks about the impact of success on her music, the genesis of her guitar style, and what it's like to play music for her deaf brother.

Dan Pashman

8:46 AM ET | 01-15-2008 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Embarrassing Crush on Radiohead Song

Filed under: Music, Stuff We Love, The Best Song In The World Today

If I ruled the world, I'd pick "Bodysnatchers" from Radiohead's In Rainbows for a Best Song in the World Today. I realize this means my mama may not have raised me right.

Bonus: The whole Scotch mist movie thing.

Laura Conaway

9:41 AM ET | 01- 1-2008 | permalink | comments (7) | e-mail post

Moby Previews New Album for the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Moby's new album, Last Night, doesn't drop until March, but we got a special sneak preview when he dropped into our studio for an interview. He talked to Alison about his new album, the crack-infested 1980's New York that he loved so much, and why so many people have him wrong.

Click the listen link above to hear the whole interview, which includes the sneak preview of two new tracks. And to watch Moby discuss his creative process, check out this video from Win Rosenfeld:

Dan Pashman

6:29 AM ET | 12-19-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Moby's BPP Playlist and Commentary

Filed under: Inside The BPP, Music

Moby plays the music you need to hear.

Rene Volfik/AP Photo/CTK

On today's show, recording artist Moby was the BPP's first ever guest DJ! So what does that mean? It means every song you heard, besides show and segment theme music, was hand-picked by Moby for our show. When he was in our studios for an interview the other day, he took the time to discuss some of the songs he picked, and to explain his obsession with songs that conjure eras he didn't experience.

So click the listen link above to hear Moby's playlist commentary. It's chock full of stories, insights, song clips and a sneak preview of one song off his new album "Last Night," which comes out in March.

And in case you missed some of it, here's Moby's entire BPP playlist, taken straight from his iTunes, in the order he gave them to us:

"Hyenas" - Moby
"Incense and Peppermint" - Strawberry Alarm Clock
"Hurdy Gurdy Man" - Donovan
"Led Zeppelin" - Going to California
"Live for Tomorrow" - Moby
"Only the Lonely (Know the Way I Feel)" - Roy Orbison
"Always Crashing in the Same Car" - David Bowie
"Convoy" - C.W. McCall
"Sweet Apocalypse" - Moby
"Memories Can't Wait" - Talking Heads
"Sister Europe" - The Psychedelic Furs
"Satellite of Love" - Lou Reed
"Ooh Yeah" - Moby
"Just A Little Lovin' " - Dusty Springfield
"Falling" - Julee Cruise
"Boom Boom" - John Lee Hooker
"Europa and the Pirate Twins" - Thomas Dolby
"Trash" - The New York Dolls
"Boogie Chillun' " - John Lee Hooker

Dan Pashman

6:08 AM ET | 12-19-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Battles Gives the BPP an Inside Look at 'Tonto'

Filed under: Music, Video

British collective United Visual Artists have been stunning critics and audiences for years with their cutting-edge approach to art installation, architecture and performance. So it's no surprise that when the time came for the math-rock phenomenon Battles to create the video for their song "Tonto," UVA came to mind.

For the video, UVA created a unique LED installation in an abandoned Welsh slate mine. They synchronized the lights with the band's various instruments, programming them to glow with each note against the black rocks of the mine. Battles set up their instruments at sundown, and performed for 11 hours through the night.The result is one of the most stunning videos of the year.

The band was nice enough to watch it with us.

Win Rosenfeld

9:12 AM ET | 12-17-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Test Listen: LD Beghtol's 'AKA Paradise'

Filed under: Music

LD Beghtol is a man of many bands -- his own, including Flare and the Moth Wranglers, and others'. Beghtol played with Stephin Merritt's Magnetic Fields on 69 Love Songs and later wrote a book about the record. (Full disclosure: I've known him since at least 1903, used to work with him and intend to learn ukulele from him if I possibly can.)

In his incarnation as LD and the New Criticism, Beghtol sends this song, AKA Paradise, and -- after the jump -- his take on making it.

Continue reading "Test Listen: LD Beghtol's 'AKA Paradise'" »

Laura Conaway

8:13 AM ET | 12-11-2007 | permalink | comments (11) | e-mail post

Video: Hot 8 Live

Filed under: Music, Video

Last week I took the 1 train up to 125th street with BPP newscaster Rachel Martin and sound engineer Josh Rogosin to visit the Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts. The occasion was a performance by New Orleans' Hot 8 Brass Band, whom Rachel had interviewed earlier in the day. We played a bunch of their music on the show on Friday, but you really want to see a band like this live.

Just for you, we've got the next best thing: crummy video! (Explanation after the jump.)

Jacob Ganz

12:53 PM ET | 12-10-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Is This a Super-secret Green Day Release?

Filed under: Music

This FoxBoro Hot Tubs website appeared out of thin air this weekend with music downloads for the band's Stop, Drop and Roll album. But here's the kicker: the downloads (six tracks, total) sound EXACTLY like Green Day. Very suspicious. Music critics are abuzz trying to pin down the origins, and most suspect that the band is a fictitious cover for a super-secret Green Day release. There's an accompanying MySpace page, for those interested.

Time to go into BPP mystery solver mode: Did Green Day release six free (and awesome) underground tracks this weekend? I'm having a flashback to the hidden track on Dookie.

Check in with the BPP and music critic Andy Langer on the show tomorrow for an update.

MJ Davis

11:18 AM ET | 12-10-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Black Flag Re-Imagined from Memory

Filed under: Music, Video

Yale dropout Dave Longstreth is no stranger to the concept album. In 2005, as the "Dirty Projectors," he released a critically lauded album, The Getty Address, based around the imaginary story of musician Don Henley. This year, he released Rise Above, an album of Black Flag songs as re-imagined from memory. According to Dave, the project started when he stumbled across the empty cassette case to the seminal punk album, Damaged while doing some spring cleaning.

The Projectors performed "Rise Above" from the new record for us in studio last week:

Win Rosenfeld

9:32 AM ET | 12-10-2007 | permalink | comments (43) | e-mail post

Video: Blues Traveler Play the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

When a band's sound is influenced by the Blues Brothers and their name is inspired by a character from Ghostbusters, one would be foolish not to take notice. But in the case of Blues Traveler, listeners from all around the world have been paying attention for over 20 years. Although the band is most famous for their 1994 hit, "Runaround," the group has maintained a large and loyal fanbase with their critically-acclaimed improvisational live shows. On their new record Cover Yourself, John Popper and the gang re-interpreted eleven of their hits from over the years. They dropped by the studio to share a couple of them with us. Click here for the interview.

Here's "Carolina Blues." After the jump, it's "Reach Me."

Win Rosenfeld

7:38 AM ET | 12- 6-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

'Good for the Jews' Rockin' the BPP, Catskills

Filed under: Music, Video

The duo Good For The Jews joined us in the studio today and gave us a song and a little schpiel. We're all mishuggah for this New York-based music/comedy duo -- and it turns out that not only are they funny, they're also a couple of mensches.

12:45 PM ET | 12- 4-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Cherry Chocolate Rain

Filed under: Music

Internet sensation and unofficial BPP musician-laureate Tay Zonday has made a commercial. Tay seems to have adapted to the role as Dr. Pepper pitchman with aplomb, yet he manages to still remind us why he turns away from the mic...this time with a slightly bigger budget.

Win Rosenfeld

1:29 PM ET | 11-29-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Video: Sondre Lerche, in Real Life

Filed under: Music, Video

Although the U.N. declared this week that Iceland is the best place in the world to live, former six-time champ Norway still has Sondre Lerche to brag about. At the tender age of 25, this singer/songwriter has written the music for a major motion picture and toured with Aha, Elvis Costello and Beth Orton. He stopped by the studio yesterday to play us a couple of tunes from his new album. Check out his performance of "To Be Surprised":

Win Rosenfeld

7:15 AM ET | 11-28-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

The Two Sounds of Prince: Chipmunk and Not

Filed under: Music

iTunes can be such a harsh judge and jury...witness this random sampling of user comments on Prince's new single, "F.U.N.K.":

"Seriously what is this? This isn't Prince. It sounds like someone on helium. This isn't the true Prince."

"Not the best of Prince. The whole song is terrible and the voice I can't stand it."

I think BPP staffer MJ Davis said it best -- Prince has done something to his larynx to make himself sound like Macy Gray.

If you want to hear "F.U.N.K." minus the helium, YouTuber DancingMachine919 has deflated the balloon. A normal-sounding Prince doing "F.U.N.K.":

Ilya Marritz

8:14 AM ET | 11-27-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Playing Live: The Other Tasty PB & J

Filed under: Music, Video

Swedish rock trio Peter Bjorn and John dropped all the commas in their band's name because commas don't look cool. One third of band dropped by the studio a while back to treat us to some tunes. Here's Peter Moran doing their hit, "Objects of My Affection."

Win Rosenfeld

7:09 AM ET | 11-27-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

The Pride of Arizona Plays Radiohead

Filed under: Music, Stuff We Love, Video

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Save some turkey for sandwiches later. And thanks, Lindsey, for the clip.

Laura Conaway

10:05 AM ET | 11-22-2007 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Jill Sobule Sings the News

Filed under: Music

Singer/songwriter Jill Sobule has quickly become a BPP favorite. Her initial appearance on our show was so great that she started doing musical essays for us. The first one of those was about slutty Halloween costumes. Today she performed musical essay #2 live in the studio, with some help from the BPP crew. It's all about the Writers Guild strike. Stream it above or download the MP3.

(Full disclosure dislaimer warning: This song is not intended to express support for either side of the writers' strike. It's just a silly song related to something happening in the news. The BPP reserves the right to discuss the news through song again in the future, provided the news item does not involve someone dying.)

Dan Pashman

9:33 AM ET | 11-21-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Live on the BPP: Tegan and Sara Play '19'

Filed under: Music, Video

Canadian-born twin sisters Tegan and Sara Quin recorded their first two LP's in their high school's recording studio, and haven't looked back since. Their live show, a combination of comic banter and indie rock, has delighted critics and audiences for years, and their music has been a staple on shows such as The L Word and Gray's Anatomy. Their new album, The Con, is considered by many their best yet, and this week the sisters dropped by our studio to treat us to a few songs. Stay tuned tomorrow for the complete interview, but in the meantime, enjoy Nineteen:

Win Rosenfeld

7:32 AM ET | 11-20-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Stevie Wonder Blows My Mind

Filed under: Music

On Saturday night I was fortunate enough to see Stevie Wonder in a sold out Madison Square Garden in his first headlining concert in New York City in 11 years. I'll count down the top five highlights...

5. Stevie opened the show talking about the death of his mother last year. He said that after spending some time basically being depressed, he realized he had to get out on the road and make music, a decision that was culminating with this MSG show. His opening remarks were the first indication that it would be a special night.

4. Stevie does voices. Who knew? He told several stories in which he did hilarious voice impressions. After "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" he said, "This song was a great hit in its day, but I think it can be a hit again...as a country song." He wasn't kidding. His band picked up the song with a twang and he shifted to a Randy Travis-esque baritone and drawled, "Here I am, baayyyyy-beeee, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yowrs..."

3. Many of us picture Stevie sitting in front of a piano, but his first instrument was the harmonica, and it shows. During "Boogie On Reggae Woman" he stood up from the piano and tore into an intense dueling harmonica jam with virtuoso Frederic Yonnet. Awesome.

2. Halfway through his performance of "For Once In My Life" Stevie stopped the song and said there was something that could make it better. He said his mom's two favorite singers were Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. So out walks...Tony Bennett. They then go into a crooner-style rendition of "For Once In My Life," and DAMN, Tony Bennett sounds good. In fact, I later learned that Bennett recorded this song first, and he and Stevie won a Grammy for their duet of the song in 2006. Here they are performing "For Once In My Life..."

And the number one highlight of Saturday night's Stevie Wonder concert in Madison Square Garden...

Continue reading "Stevie Wonder Blows My Mind" »

Dan Pashman

8:55 AM ET | 11-19-2007 | permalink | comments (6) | e-mail post

Live and Respectable: Mark Olson on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Since splitting from the legendary Jayhawks in 1995, Mark Olson has maintained a reputation as one of the most respected singer-songwriters on the folk country scene. Mark joined us in the studio awhile back to talk about being the subject of a new documentary, dealing with lame bar crowds at shows, and his recent album, Salvation Blues. His performances of "National Express" follows, with "Tears From Above" after the jump.

Continue reading "Live and Respectable: Mark Olson on the BPP" »

Win Rosenfeld

3:59 PM ET | 11-14-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

The Pipettes Live on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

When we asked the Pipettes what they thought of musicians who insist on "reimagining" their hit songs when playing them live, the sound of six eyes rolling was deafening. As far as the all female Brit-pop group is concerned, there is no greater insult to an audience than this kind of musical bait and switch. For them, music should never be pretentious -- and that "fun-first" attitude dominates their catalog. So it was no surprise when they sang us a super-slick, album-grade version of their catchy single, "Pull Shapes" live in the studio.

Check it out:

Win Rosenfeld

6:53 AM ET | 11-13-2007 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Director's Cut: Joe Henry Live on the BPP

Filed under: Music

We love it when musicians perform live in our studio here in NYC, and Joe Henry was this week's big treat. We had the singer/songwriter/producer/ brother-in-law-to-Madonna on our show yesterday, but what you heard on the air or in the podcast was only half of the conversation he had with Alison Stewart.

The rest of the interview was just too good to let it slip into the ether. Here, you can listen to the whole thing, including three full songs: two from his new album, Civilians and one made famous by his sister-in-law.

Jacob Ganz

12:42 PM ET | 11- 9-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Petra Haden Implores Us...

Filed under: Music, Video

Music is in Petra Haden's blood. She's the daughter of jazz legend Charlie Haden and has been singing with her sisters (they're triplets) since childhood. Since then she's been a member of the Decemberists and the Rentals, and has collaborated as a singer and violinist with people like Beck, Green Day, Mike Watt and the Foo Fighters, to name a few.

Check out her a capella rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" performed in our studio with the East Coast Sell-Outs.

Win Rosenfeld

7:44 AM ET | 11- 9-2007 | permalink | comments (16) | e-mail post

This Man Will Make You Forget. . .

Filed under: Music

. . . this video! You can hear Joe Henry, who wrote the tune, sing his version -- acoustic -- today on the BPP. (Photo from his 1999 record, Fuse.)

Alison Stewart

5:48 AM ET | 11- 8-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Josh Ritter: Shades of 'Blonde on Blonde'?

Filed under: Music, Sound Off, Video

Awhile back, we had the pleasure of hosting songwriter Josh Ritter in the Bryant Park studios.

With the launch of NPR's amazing new music site--just wait until you get a look at that!--we're bringing his beautiful performance back front and center, where it belongs. Here, the Idaho-born musician plays a track from his new album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, called "To the Dogs or Whoever."

Is is just me, or is he channeling Bob Dylan, circa Blonde on Blonde? I'm so hearing "I Want You" in this.

Laura Conaway

10:47 AM ET | 11- 3-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Britney Spears Stars in BPP Second Hour

Filed under: Music

The lovely and talented Kelefa Sanneh, music critic for the New York Times, showed us the production magic behind Britney Spears' new hit record, Blackout.

Other highlights include a talk with Dr. J. Craig Venter, who wrestles with the question of his ego being a tad outsized, the return of protests in Myanmar and some very serious shrieking-- but that's only right at the top.

Laura Conaway

1:44 PM ET | 11- 1-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Don't Go There--or Go with Caution and Brain Engaged

Filed under: Media, Music

You might be tempted in coming days to discuss the racist phone rant from Dog the Bounty Hunter. If you do, you may want to read this hilarious and helpful "how to" about entering discussions about race with someone of a different race.

Tip #2 is a really good one:

Using Culture-Specific Slang to Relate to Other Races---K-Fed, you ain't. And you just shouldn't try to be--ever.

Amen.

Alison Stewart

11:42 AM ET | 11- 1-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Jill Sobule Sings 'No' to Grownups in Slutty Costumes

Filed under: Music, Stuff We Love

Halloween reveler at a Heidi Klum party

Mark Mainz/Getty Images

Musician Jill Sobule, one of our new favorite human beings, lobbed the first of her NPR musical essays at the world today.

You'll be happy to note, as we were, that it takes on the searing issue of women whose Halloween costumes are costumes only because they're slutty. No sexy nurse for her--no way.

We think you'll agree that Ms. Sobule's on to something, or is at least a genius.

Laura Conaway

9:05 AM ET | 10-31-2007 | permalink | comments (19) | e-mail post

Britney Takes Cue From Candidates, Masters Misunderestimation

Filed under: Music

Britney Spears recalibrates your hopes.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Political campaigns often try to lower expectations for their candidates before big events, so that even average performances end up looking great. President Bush himself has acknowledged that he has often benefited from this approach, saying, "I am the master of low expectations." (Before the 2000 election he also famously remarked that he had frequently been "misunderestimated.")

Now the line between politics and entertainment grows blurrier still. After breaking new ground in the field of Expectation Diminution, Britney Spears today releases her new album, Blackout. (Listen to the whole record here.) As evidence of how low the bar has gotten, most of the reviews can be summed up with the Houston Chronicle headline, "A surprise from Britney."

Of course, people would probably be surprised if Britney made it from her house to the recording studio without engaging in some form of parental negligence. But can she actually sing? Is this album really any good?

No and not really.

Britney's voice on Blackout is so computer-modulated that she sounds like she's being channeled by HAL. The only worthwhile elements of this album are provided by the production, which consists of several good radio-friendly dance/pop ditties and five songs I could have created on my MacBook by pressing Apple-F2. (Spoiler alert: The song "Get Naked (I Got A Plan)" is about Britney wanting to have sex with someone.)

All that being said, if you're prone to liking dance/pop music and you want something catchy and mindless to listen to at the gym, you could do worse than Britney's new album. But you could also do much better. I give this album a rating of two PopoZaos out of five.

Dan Pashman

10:31 AM ET | 10-30-2007 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

What a Bargain: Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'

Filed under: Music

Thom Yorke: Soul Man

Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images

 

On Saturday night I was at a bar, picking songs on the jukebox with my friend Brendan, when he saw one option and said, "I love Radiohead, but not so much when I'm out having drinks with friends." Well, after Brendan listens to Radiohead's new album In Rainbows, he may have to change his mind.

I never thought I'd classify a Radiohead song as a party track, and I never thought I'd consider Thom Yorke a great soul singer. But that's the beauty of this album. On a technical level, In Rainbows varies only incrementally from the band's previous efforts. But those variations, however minor, produce a dramatic effect.

Check out the full review and listen to three songs from In Rainbows after the jump...

Continue reading "What a Bargain: Radiohead's 'In Rainbows'" »

Dan Pashman

11:22 AM ET | 10-17-2007 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Eighty-six Flavors of the CMJ Music Festival

Filed under: Music

Tapes 'n Tapes performing at the 2006 CMJ festival.

Landan Dandan

From the Department of Shameless but Useful Plugs:

Break a sweat with NPR.org's coverage of the essential CMJ Music Marathon. Hear the music, see the music, feel the music, be the music. See you there.

Laura Conaway

2:16 PM ET | 10-16-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

New Songs Now: Aretha, Beirut, Kenna

Filed under: Music

Tuesday at the BPP means it's time for new music. We've lined up tracks from the artists we covered this morning. Click to play.

Laura Conaway

1:14 PM ET | 10-16-2007 | permalink | comments (2) | e-mail post

Kenna Says 'Goodbye to Love'

Filed under: Music

We'll be streaming tracks today from new music releases, including ones by Beirut and Kenna. For your breakfast toast, here's some video jam -- Kenna's "Say Goodbye to Love."

Laura Conaway

5:57 AM ET | 10-16-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Jill Sobule Sings: 'Lucy at the Gym'

Filed under: Music, Video

A new study on eating disorders from the University of Minnesota suggests that a message of moderation may be the key to controlling eating disorders in teens. The study of over 2,500 teens lasted five years and showed that 44 percent of girls and 20 percent of boys had significant weight problems or symptoms of disordered eating. One-fourth of overweight girls reported using extreme measures such as purging, abusing laxatives, diet pills or diuretics.

The study also shows that teasing and pressuring teens about their weight can exacerbate eating problems, contributing to poor self-esteem and body dissatisfaction.

"Lucy at the Gym", a sad but beautiful song by Jill Sobule, tells the story of a woman suffering from exercise anorexia. Sobule performed it in the studio for us last week, and you can watch it here:

Win Rosenfeld

8:19 AM ET | 10-15-2007 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Jill Sobule Live On the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Thirteen years after her hit "I Kissed a Girl," Jill Sobule has been making music for her devout fan base on labels both major and independent, and performing for houses both big and small. But with music downloads catching up to CD sales, musicians like Jill are often caught without a viable way to stay creative and pay the rent. Her song "Nothing To Prove" is about the difficulties of financing an album in an industry lost in the digital divide.

Win Rosenfeld

11:06 AM ET | 10-12-2007 | permalink | comments (5) | e-mail post

Ben Harper Sits Down With the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

In case you missed Alison and Luke's interview with Ben Harper this morning, here it is. Also check out the video of Ben performing "Fool For a Lonesome Train" in our studio. And check out the full recording of Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals' RIDICULOUS live cover of "Purple Rain."

After the jump, check out Ben giving NPR some love.

Continue reading "Ben Harper Sits Down With the BPP" »

Dan Pashman

11:22 AM ET | 10- 3-2007 | permalink | e-mail post

Ben Harper Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

The BPP crew's been getting to work at about 4 a.m. since going on the air, and we aren't shy about expressing our crankiness before we've had our coffee. But today, musician Ben Harper dropped by and put us all to shame. Ben was on Letterman last night and hadn't slept since, although you couldn't tell from his performance at BPP HQ.

This is Ben playing "Fool for a Lonesome Train" from his new album, Lifeline. Tune into the BPP tomorrow morning for his interview with Luke and Alison and his performance of "Fight Outta You." We'll post the audio of the entire interview here tomorrow.

Win Rosenfeld

4:04 PM ET | 10- 2-2007 | permalink | comments (14) | e-mail post

Josh Ritter on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Idaho-born musician Josh Ritter joined us in the studio, guitar in hand. Ritter is launching a new album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, and a tour (dates here).

Bonus: Josh Ritter in Concert

In the past, Ritter has been compared to Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. Josh says he hasn't stopped growing -- musically, that is. He describes his newest album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, as his "most adventurous yet." He played one of its songs, "To the Dogs or Whoever," for us (and you) right here at BPP HQ. Enjoy.

Win Rosenfeld

8:24 AM ET | 10- 1-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Petra Haden in Studio

Filed under: Music, Video

A capella groups get a pretty bum rap. To some people, they are to music what mimes are to acting. But don't tell Petra Haden that. She brought her group to our studio for an interview and performance, and it was awesome. We also posted the video of their rendition of the Journey classic "Don't Stop Believin'" here. It's cool to hear it, but seeing it is even better.

Dan Pashman

5:02 PM ET | 09- 7-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Petra Haden Live at the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Music is in Petra Haden's blood. She's the daughter of jazz legend Charlie Haden and has been singing with her sisters (they're triplets) since childhood. Since then she's been a member of the Decemberists and The Rentals, and has collaborated as a singer and violinist with people like Beck, Green Day, Mike Watt and the Foo Fighters, to name a few. This month she contributed a cover of Journey's classic "Don't Stop Believin'" to the compilation album "Guilt By Association," a collection of different artists' guilty pleasures. She performed that song live for us in the studio yesterday, and frankly, it was so beautiful that it drove us damn near to tears.

Check it out.

Win Rosenfeld

12:20 PM ET | 09- 6-2007 | permalink | comments (32) | e-mail post

Mark Olson Performs on The BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Before embarking on his critically-acclaimed solo career, singer Mark Olson was a founding member of The Jayhawks. Since splitting with them in 1995, he has maintained a reputation as one of the most respected singer/songwriters on the folk country scene. Mark joined us in the studio today to talk about being the subject of a new documentary, dealing with lame bar crowds at shows, and his recent album, Salvation Blues. Here's a performance of "National Express" from that record.

Win Rosenfeld

5:17 PM ET | 08-30-2007 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post

Josh Ritter Performs on the BPP

Filed under: Music, Video

Idaho-born musician Josh Ritter joined us in the studio this morning, guitar in hand. In the past, he's been compared to Bruce Springsteen, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. Josh says he hasn't stopped growing -- musically, that is. He describes his newest album, The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, as his "most adventurous yet." "To The Dogs or Whoever" is one of the songs on that disc. He played it for us (and you) right here at BPP HQ. Enjoy.

Win Rosenfeld

3:17 PM ET | 08-22-2007 | permalink | comments (8) | e-mail post

Something Cool on a Hot Day...A Little Dino

Filed under: Music, Video

Tuesday is traditionally the day for new music to hit the streets, and today you can find the sweet strumming and storytelling of artist Lori McKenna on her new release "Unglamorous." Also back and proving he should stick to rapping and not dancing with the stars is Master P, who drops "Featuring...Master P" today. (The "P" is for Percy, by the way.)

Of course, if old school is more your speed, you can just chill out with some Dean Martin. You may prefer your Dean Martin straight up, but for those who like mixers, a new release called "Forever Cool" features modern artists singing "duets" with Dino. I really like this clip of Shelby Lynne crooning along with Mr. Martin on "You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You."

If this kind of back-from-the-dead recording creeps you out, there's plenty of classic Dean Martin to go around. Check out this book, which I got as a gift, and learn more about this very complex man. Or put aside all politically correct tendencies and click on the clip above, for a little refresher on the original American Idol.

Alison Stewart

1:28 PM ET | 08-14-2007 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

New Music Tuesday: Ryan Adams, Gabby Glaser, Kelly Clarkson

Filed under: Music

"Gimme Splash," Gabby Glaser

"Era Vulgaris," Queens of the Stone Age

Tuesday is the day when the record industry typically releases new music. There's a slew of records hitting the shelves, virtual or otherwise, today. We thought we would take advantage of the surfeit of music before us and play some for you. Alison invited Erika Clarke, a writer for Amplifer Magazine, to talk about some of the new releases. On the list: Easy Tiger by Ryan Adams, My December by Kelly Clarkson and Gimme Splash by Gabby Glaser.

Erika also talks about her album pick of the month, Era Vulgaris by Queens of the Stone Age. She recommended we listen to the entire album, of course -- but we just don't have the time (or the rights) to do it. So, we listen to a little bit of the band's single, "Sick, Sick, Sick."

Some other releases of note today: The Mix Up, Beastie Boys; Get The Gore, Gore Gore Girls; The Fragile Army, Polyphonic Spree.

Also, CMJ has a nice list of new releases. And check out New Music Tipsheet for a more complete list.

Matt Martinez

12:35 PM ET | 06-26-2007 | permalink | comments (4) | e-mail post