Episode 95

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Sweet, art pop from Matt Pond PA
The vocoder voice of Imogen Heap
Canada's power pop New Pornographers
Concert for Bangladesh: George Harrison
A 1971 psychedelic reissue from The Move
The ambient, guitar-driven duo Hammock
Bach harpsichord from Christophe Rousset
Parlor music performed by Brent Watkins

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Matt Pond PA is a chamber pop group based in Brooklyn, NY. This is their fifth album in as many years. It's emotional and melodic with strong hooks and a fine balance between angst and beauty.

Matt Pond PA

CD: Several Arrows Later
Song: "Halloween"
Label: Altitude Records

Listen to "Halloween"

Imogen Heap is from Britain and known for artful pop with strong electronic textures. She was a solo artist for a few years before becoming half of the London-based duo Frou Frou. You might have heard Frou Frou perform the song "Let Go" on the soundtrack to the film Garden State. On this track from her new solo album, Heap sings a cappella through an old vocoder or voice processor.

Imogen Heap

CD: Speak For Yourself
Song: "Hide and Seek"
Label: Megaphonic Records

Listen to "Hide and Seek"

The New Pornographers are considered an indie super group in their native Canada, comprised of members from several other popular groups. Carl Newman from the art pop band Zumpano and Neko Case share vocal duties. Bassist John Collins is from a group called Three Evaporators, while guitarist Dan Bejar writes and records under the name Destroyer. Synth player Blaine Thurier is a popular filmmaker/cartoonist. Carl Newman, or A.C. Newmann appeared on All Songs Considered earlier this year for his solo album
The Slow Wonder.

The New Pornographers

CD: Twin Cinema
Song: "The Bones of an Idol"
Label: Matador

Listen to "The Bones of an Idol"

Long before Farm Aid and "We Are the World," there was The Concert for Bangladesh. The 1971 performance was organized by George Harrison, fresh out of the Beatles, to raise money for the troubled country. It featured many of his friends and fellow artists like Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Billy Preston. The full concert is being reissued on two CDs and on DVD.

George Harrison and Friends

CD: The Concert for Bangladesh
Song: "Bangla Desh"
Label: Apple

Listen to "Bangla Desh"

The Move was a psychedelic, experimental rock group from the late '60s and early '70s that eventually became The Electric Light Orchestra. The Move was considered one of Britain's most important rock groups, but never made much of a run in the U.S. Their fifth and final album, originally released in 1971, is now being reissued on CD.

The Move

CD: Message from the Country
Song: "Message from the Country"
Label: Capitol

Listen to "Message from the Country"

Hammock is a southern guitar duo featuring the work of Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson. The two were originally featured on All Songs Considered's Open Mic, NPR's online showcase for great unknown artists.

Hammock

CD: Stranded Under Endless Sky
Song: "Stranded Under Endless Sky"
Label: Hammock Music

Listen to "Stranded Under Endless Sky"

Christophe Rousset

CD: Klavierbuchlein fur Wilhelm Friedemann
Song: "Prelude No. 1"
Label: Ambroisie Music

Listen to "Prelude No. 1"

A piano player since he was eight years old, Brent Watkins here shares some of his favorite parlor tunes from turn-of-the-century composers. He lives and works in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Brent Watkins

CD: The Heroes of Parlor Town Vol. 1
Song: "Poor Katie Redd"
Label: Self-Released

Listen to "Poor Katie Redd"

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