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Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson is a host, writer and reviewer for NPR Music and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He appears frequently on All Songs Considered and NPR newsmagazines.

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Stephen Thompson

Friday October 31, 2014

'Dear White People' And The State Of Animation

NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Dear White People' And The State Of Animation

October 31, 2014 • The panel discusses a new film about black campus life, engages in a wide-ranging discussion of animated TV shows, and expounds on What's Making Us Happy this week.

'Dear White People' And The State Of Animation

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Thursday October 30, 2014

Banks: Tiny Desk Concert

James Clark/NPR

Tiny Desk

Banks: Tiny Desk Concert

October 30, 2014 • On record, Banks is at the center of lavish productions, each suitable for throbbing remixes and banks of swirling lights. Here, though, she serves notice as a powerful singer in her own right.

Banks: Tiny Desk Concert

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Sunday October 26, 2014

First Listen: Neil Young, 'Storytone'

Neil Young's new album, Storytone, comes out Nov. 4. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Neil Young, 'Storytone'

October 26, 2014 • Young recorded all of Storytone's 10 songs with either a 92-piece orchestra or an elaborate big band, but wisely includes beautifully stripped-down acoustic versions, too.

Storytone

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Saturday October 25, 2014

Why Doesn't Halloween Get More Music?

Dead Man's Bones' 2009 debut belongs in any discussion of Halloween music. Hama Sanders/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Hama Sanders/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Why Doesn't Halloween Get More Music?

October 25, 2014 • Christmas yields dozens of holiday albums each year. But, "Monster Mash" aside, what of Halloween?

Friday October 24, 2014

'Whiplash' And Carbon Dating

NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Whiplash' And Carbon Dating

October 24, 2014 • Audie Cornish joins the show to discuss an Oscar-friendly Sundance hit, what makes certain art a product of its time, and what's making us happy this week.

'Whiplash' And Carbon Dating

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Thursday October 23, 2014

Song Premiere, Robin Bacior, 'If It Does'

Robin Bacior's new album, Water Dreams, comes out Jan. 13. Kim Smith Miller/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Kim Smith Miller/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Song Premiere, Robin Bacior, 'If It Does'

October 23, 2014 • Robin Bacior's honeyed but vibrant voice hits gently, bestowing the listener with comfort and calm.

Coming Live To A Synagogue Near You (If You're In D.C.)

NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Coming Live To A Synagogue Near You (If You're In D.C.)

October 23, 2014 • On Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., the Pop Culture Happy Hour crew will appear live at Washington, D.C.'s beautiful Sixth & I synagogue. Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at noon ET.

Coming Live To A Synagogue Near You (If You're In D.C.)

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Sunday October 19, 2014

First Listen: The Flaming Lips, 'With A Little Help From My Fwends'

The Flaming Lips' new album, With A Little Help From My Fwends, comes out Oct. 28. George Salisbury/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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George Salisbury/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: The Flaming Lips, 'With A Little Help From My Fwends'

October 19, 2014 • On an album-length cover of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Flaming Lips' playful streak gets undercut with moments of abrasiveness and aggression — and detours down strange side roads.

With A Little Help From My Fwends

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Saturday October 18, 2014

How Can I Become A 'Music Person'?

A reader grew up listening to Rick Astley and now needs to know: Is it too late? Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

How Can I Become A 'Music Person'?

October 18, 2014 • A reader grew up listening to Rick Astley in the '80s and needs to know if it's too late to change.

Sunday October 12, 2014

First Listen: Horse Feathers, 'So It Is With Us'

Horse Feathers' new album, So It Is With Us, comes out Oct. 21. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Horse Feathers, 'So It Is With Us'

October 12, 2014 • The chamber-folk band's fifth album feels unerringly graceful — a quality that transcends tempo and tone, infusing every song with enough beauty to overwhelm sadness.

So It Is With Us

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Saturday October 11, 2014

When You Need To Concentrate, Which Music Is Best?

With Twin Peaks coming back in 2016, it's a perfect time to let Angelo Badalamenti's score return to your headphones. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

When You Need To Concentrate, Which Music Is Best?

October 11, 2014 • Do you spend your days wearing headphones and staring at a computer screen, looking for music to fill your head without distracting you from the task at hand? This column is for you.

Monday October 6, 2014

Songs We Love: The Lone Bellow, 'Then Came The Morning'

The Lone Bellow's second album, Then Came The Morning, comes out early next year. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Songs We Love: The Lone Bellow, 'Then Came The Morning'

October 6, 2014 • On the first single from its new album, the band has lost none of its sleekly soaring charm.

Sunday October 5, 2014

First Listen: Stars, 'No One Is Lost'

Stars' new album, No One Is Lost, comes out Oct. 14. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Stars, 'No One Is Lost'

October 5, 2014 • The Montreal band recorded its new album within earshot of a since-closed discotheque, and it shows. No One Is Lost prioritizes lightness and bittersweet uplift over the devastation of past records.

No One Is Lost

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Saturday October 4, 2014

How Do I Avoid 'The iTunes Pit Of Despair'?

The "Playlist" feature will help keep you from losing track of the albums you absolutely must hear. Stephen Thompson/NPR hide caption

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Stephen Thompson/NPR

All Songs Considered

How Do I Avoid 'The iTunes Pit Of Despair'?

October 4, 2014 • Music has become so abundant, it's hard to keep track of your library — let alone give songs the time they deserve. But there are ways to start over and discover great new songs you already own.

Sunday September 28, 2014

First Listen: Foxygen, '...And Star Power'

Foxygen's new album, ...And Star Power, comes out Oct. 14. Cara Robbins/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Cara Robbins/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Foxygen, '...And Star Power'

September 28, 2014 • There's a because-we-can quality to the band's overstuffed, 82-minute second album, as Foxygen delights in letting its loosest threads unravel.

...And Star Power

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

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