NPR: All Songs Considered: Episode 86

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Episode 86

Listen to the entire show

The much-awaited new CD from Coldplay
Electronic psychedelica from Kasabian
Indian high-tech raga by Midival Punditz
Portuguese ambient folk from Madredeus
Lost '60s folk: Pearls Before Swine
Country-rock singer/songwriter John Hiatt
The remarkable jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov
Elder statesman of jazz, Hank Jones
Dream pop from L.A.'s Devics
US-Armenian metal from System of a Down

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This follow-up to Coldplay's hugely successful 2002 release A Rush of Blood to the Head, is one of the Summer's most anticipated releases. The British rock band breaks no new ground on this latest CD, but the group's formula for shimmering, comfortable pop will likely make X & Y one of the year's most popular albums.

Coldplay

CD: X&Y
Song: "White Shadows"
Label: Capitol

Listen to "White Shadows"

Kasabian are from Leicester, England. On their debut release, they mix processed drum beats and electronics with trippy, psychedelic rock. The band got its name from Linda Kasabian, the getaway driver for Charles Manson who later turned state's witness.

Kasabian

CD: Kasabian
Song: "Running Battle"
Label: RCA

Listen to "Running Battle"

Kasabian appears courtesy RCA Records.

Based in New Dehli, Midival Punditz are Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, two long-time friends and producers involved in India's contemporary music scene. Their sound is a blend of high-tech electronica and traditional Indian rhythms.

Midival Punditz

CD: Midival Times
Song: "Saathi"
Label: Six Degrees

Listen to "Saathi"

Madredeus is a Portuguese acoustic group known largely for the angelic voice of lead singer Teresa Salgueiro. The band's gorgeous melodies and meditative rhythms mix ambient electronica with European folk and traditional Portuguese fado.

Madredeus

CD: Faluas do Tejo
Song: "Na Estrada De Santiago"
Label: Blue Note

Listen to "Na Estrada De Santiago"

Pearls Before Swine was a ground-breaking folk group that had a short but popular run in late '60s. The group was mostly the work of musician Tom Rapp. Rapp formed Pearls Before Swine in 1965, released a half a dozen critically-acclaimed albums, then went solo in 1971. Soon after, he quit the music business and became a civil rights attorney. This remastered collection of Pearls Before Swine's first two records is out on one of the earliest independent labels, ESP-Disk.

Pearls Before Swine

CD: The Complete ESP-Disk Recordings
Song: "Drop Out!"
Label: ESP-Disk

Listen to "Drop Out!"

John Hiatt is a country-rock singer/songwriter who's always been more popular among critics other musicians than consumers. Hiatt has worked with artists like Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe, and his songs have been covered by everyone from Bonnie Raitt and Ronnie Milsap to Iggy Pop.

John Hiatt

CD: Master of Disaster
Song: "Master of Disaster"
Label: New West

Listen to "Master of Disaster"

Eldar Djangirov is just 18 years old but plays the piano like a long-time master. On this release he performs with head-spinning speed while articulating every note with crisp, tight control.

Eldar Djangirov

CD: Eldar
Song: "Sweet Georgia Brown"
Label: Sony Classical

Listen to "Sweet Georgia Brown"

Hank Jones is a long-time veteran of jazz piano. He got his start in Detroit shortly after the second World War, working as Ella Fitzgerald's accompanist and performing with other legends like Artie Shaw, Bennie Goodman and Lester Young. On his latest CD, Jones, now 88 years old, says "I'm about trying to appeal to people who appreciate the subtleties of jazz."

Hank Jones

CD: For My Father
Song: "Sophisticated Lady"
Label: Justin Time

Listen to "Sophisticated Lady"

Devics are Dustin O'Halloran on guitar and keyboards, vocalist Sara Lov, Ed Maxwell on bass and Evan Schnabel on drums. The Los Angeles band has been around for more than a decade but has released just two full-length albums, 2001's My Beautiful Sinking Ship and 2003's The Stars at Saint Andrea.

Devics

CD: Distant Radio
Song: "Distant Radio"
Label: Leftwing Recordings

Listen to "Distant Radio"

System of a Down is largely a metal band, but their music often makes dramatic and sudden shifts from hard rock to more thoughtful, pensive melodies. This appropriately-titled collection of new songs debuted on number one on the Billboard charts, selling nearly a half a million copies in its first week.

System of a Down

CD: Mesmerize
Song: "Radio/Video"
Label: Columbia

Listen to "Radio/Video"

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