Episode 110

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Passionate hard rock from Pearl Jam
Seattle's next big act Mountain Con
A farewell release from Grandaddy
Sweden's colorful pop group The Concretes
A hip hop wonder hit by Gnarls Barkley
Remembering guitarist Django Reinhardt
Music from Kenya's Extra Golden
Experimental space rock from Mogwai

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Along with Nirvana and bands like Soundgarden, Pearl Jam helped make grunge rock the defining sound of the '90s. Now, 15 years after their first release, the band returns with one of its strongest albums in years. Their first eponymous release, Pearl Jam features 13 new heartfelt, passionate tracks that show the band return to its earliest form.

Pearl Jam

CD: Pearl Jam
Song: "World Wide Suicide"
Label: J Records

Listen to "World Wide Suicide"

Mountain Con is a relatively new act originally from Seattle that hopes its latest CD Sancho Panza will make them the city's next big act. Their sound is a mix of hip hop, country and urban rock.

Mountain Con

CD: Sancho Panza
Song: "The Escape Artist"
Label: Hidden Peak

Listen to "The Escape Artist"

Grandaddy is a neo-psychedelic art-rock group from California. Though the band has enjoyed a loyal following in college rock circles, they recently decided to call it quits, in part to pursue more lucrative day jobs. With their fifth and final release, the band ends a nearly 15-year run on a high note.

Grandaddy

CD: Just Like the Fambly Cat
Song: "Elevate Myself"
Label: V2

Listen to "Elevate Myself"

The Concretes are an eight-piece art-pop collective from Stockholm, Sweden. Their latest CD was recorded, in part, in Omaha, Nebraska with producer Mike Mogis, known for his work with Connor Oberst and Bright Eyes.

The Concretes

CD: In Colour
Song: "Fiction"
Label: Astralwerks

Listen to "Fiction"

Gnarls Barkley is a collaboration between hip hop DJ Danger Mouse and R-and-B singer Cee-Lo Green. Their first single, "Crazy" became a huge hit after the duo made it available as a download on the Internet. Though their name bears a striking resemblance to former professional basketball player Charles Barkley, the band is denying any connection.

Gnarls Barkley

CD: St. Elsewhere
Song: "Crazy"
Label: Atlantic

Listen to "Crazy"

More than 50 years after his death, Django Reinhardt remains one of the most revered guitarists in jazz. Guitarists like Les Paul, Charlie Christian and Wes Montgomery all cite Reinhardt as a major influence in their work. The brilliance of Reinhardt's so-called "Gypsy Jazz" is remembered on this new, 2-CD collection.

Django Reinhardt

CD: Memorial
Song: "Django's Blues"
Label: Period Records

Listen to "Django's Blues"

Extra Golden is the name of a musical collaboration between a group of Kenyan musicians and Washington, DC producers Ian Eagleson and Alex Minoff.

Extra Golden

CD: Ok-Oyot System
Song: "Ok-Oyot System"
Label: Thrill Jockey

Listen to "Ok-Oyot System"

Mogwai is a Glasgow, Scotland group making experimental indie rock. Their latest CD in a ten-year career is one of their strongest, featuring passionate, largely instrumental rock songs. Hear a full concert by Mogwai, live on NPR.org May 10.

Mogwai

CD: Mr. Beast
Song: "Travel is Dangerous"
Label: Matador

Listen to "Travel is Dangerous"

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