Current Show
The '80s: Were They Really That Bad?
Were the 1980s the worst years for music? NPR listeners seem to think so, according to the results of our poll. When asked to pick the best year for music, nearly everyone skipped the '80s entirely. On this edition of All Songs Considered, host Bob Boilen looks back at the decade of synth pop, hair metal, and hardcore with Stephen Thompson, editor of Song of the Day, Robin Hilton, All Songs Considered producer and host of Second Stage, and Carrie Brownstein, writer for the Monitor Mix blog.
Recently on All Songs Considered
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Music of PCP, Ra Ra Riot, And More
The New York rock group Ra Ra Riot returns from an emotional roller coaster with a fantastic new CD. Hear a cut from The Rhumb Line. Singer Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley mixes it up on her latest solo CD, Acid Tongue. Argentinian singer Juana Molina has a mesmerizing new album out in October. We've got a sneak preview. Also on the show: Brooklyn duo High Places, the "Dreamend" songs of Ryan Graveface, "Failure" from singer Laura Marling, and PCP, also known as the Portland Cello Project.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Sneak Previews: Of Montreal, Okkervil River
With fall rapidly approaching, we'll soon begin making a list of the year's best albums. Two bands from last year's top-20 are back in the running again for this year: Okkervil River and Of Montreal. We've got a sneak preview of new music from both bands. Also on the show: Steve Earle and Gillian Welch offer songs from their performances at this year's Newport Folk Festival; Jeff Hanson sings with an improbable, but stunning voice on his new album, Madam Owl; New York-based The Walkmen have a beautiful, airy new CD that's both timeless and modern; and The Broken West is about to release one of the year's standout albums — their sophomore release — called Now or Heaven.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Eno And Byrne: Together Again After 27 Years
Twenty-seven years ago, Brian Eno and David Byrne made a record like no other: My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Now, nearly 30 years later, they're about to release a follow-up. We've got a sneak preview. Also on this edition of All Songs Considered: a surprising collaboration between reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry and Andrew W.K. Also, Van Dyke Parks and Inara George (singer for The Bird and The Bee) team up for an unusual record of baroque-styled pop songs. And we've got new music from Earlimart, The Avett Brothers, live music from She and Him and Jim James of My Morning Jacket.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Guest DJ Randy Newman
The singer-songwriter's new CD, Harps and Angels, is as good as anything he's ever done. Newman stopped by to DJ an episode of All Songs Considered and talk about his favorite songs, as well as the musicians who've shaped his music — especially Ray Charles, the Beatles and his uncle, Alfred Newman.
