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Tiny Desk Concerts
Alt-J: Tiny Desk Concert
December 17, 2012 The Mercury Prize-winning band plays angular, poetic music that takes unexpected turns, shifting gears when you least expect it. Seeing Alt-J live in the NPR Music offices reveals a few of its mysteries, making a group that can be difficult on first listen a bit easier to digest.
Best Music Of 2012
Bob Boilen's Top Albums And Songs Of 2012
December 12, 2012 The host of All Songs Considered shares the 10 albums and 30 songs he most loved this year. His picks point to a new and exciting direction for music — more complex songwriting with remarkable sonic shifts and songs within songs.
All Songs Considered
First Watch: The Return Of Mercury Prize Finalist Villagers
December 11, 2012 The band, led by Conor O'Brien, has a new album, {Awayland}, that will be out in the U.S. in April, but you can watch a gorgeously shot video for "Nothing Arrived," shot in a studio in Northern Ireland, now.
All Songs Considered
Should The Rolling Stones Hang It Up?
December 11, 2012 Still performing after 50 years, the Stones make you wonder: Are aging rock stars the future?
All Songs Considered
Song Premiere: Kishi Bashi, 'It's Christmas, But It's Not White Here In Our Town'
December 3, 2012 One of the year's best new artists is back with a special song he wrote just for the holidays. "It's Christmas, But It's Not White Here In Our Town" is a gorgeous, cinematic tune produced in the spirit of great holiday classics.
Tiny Desk Concerts
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: Tiny Desk Concert
December 3, 2012 The Seattle duo literally shakes the dust off the ceiling tiles in this performance at the NPR Music offices. In the span of about 15 minutes, the pair works through a moving message song ("Same Love"), a hilarious goof-off ("Thrift Shop") and a rousingly inspirational closer ("Can't Hold Us").
Tiny Desk Concerts
Taken By Trees: Tiny Desk Concert
November 29, 2012 Victoria Bergsman's songs seem to come from a place somewhere between a dream state and waking life. There's restraint to the way Taken by Trees' players approach this music, almost as if they're trying not to wake the baby in the other room.
All Songs Considered
When Should You Start Playing Holiday Music?
November 26, 2012 Holiday music brings out the quirks and extremes in many of us. Some love it but find it a sin to play before Thanksgiving. Some despise it and can't wait until the New Year so they don't have to hear it again, at least for another year. How about you?
All Songs Considered
Five Reasons To Visit Your Local Record Store On Black Friday
November 21, 2012 This Friday, independent record stores will offer new, reissued and limited-edition vinyl. We pick some of the best, including a collaboration between My Morning Jacket and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes.
All Songs Considered
First Watch: Ahleuchatistas, 'Lighted Stairs'
November 20, 2012 Inventive guitar, prog-rock influences and globe-spanning sounds are set against military images in the new video from the band out of Asheville, N.C.
All Songs Considered
Who Controls The Music In Your House?
November 19, 2012 Who's choosing this years Thanksgiving soundtrack? Are you facing an annual family feud over control of the stereo? Or are you resigned to just hearing a lot of bad music?
All Songs Considered
Song Premiere: Erin McKeown, 'The Jailer'
November 19, 2012 McKeown's seventh album, MANIFESTRA, out in January, includes a song written with MSNBC host Rachel Maddow.
Live in Concert
Patrick Watson In Concert
November 16, 2012 Patrick Watson put out one of this year's most magical records, Adventures in Your Own Backyard — an album of beauty and mystery and joy. On Sept. 5, the singer and pianist took his sprawling group of touring musicians to Washington, D.C., for an emotional live set at the 9:30 Club.
All Songs Considered
First Watch: Night Beds, 'Even If We Try'
November 15, 2012 Watch the intense, haunting music video premiere from Night Beds, set to a soothing melody. Night Beds' debut album, Country Sleep, will be released early next year.
All Songs Considered
First Watch: Bjork, 'Mutual Core'
November 13, 2012 In the always-experimental singer's new video, everything is perfectly Bjork-like, which is to say: like nothing you've ever seen before.
