Stephen Thompson : NPR

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

Wednesday December 30, 2015

2015: Looking Back On A Year At The Tiny Desk

In January, Mucca Pazza set a Tiny Desk record by fitting 23 members onstage. Colin Marshall/NPR hide caption

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Colin Marshall/NPR

All Songs Considered

2015: Looking Back On A Year At The Tiny Desk

December 30, 2015 • This year, NPR Music published 84 sessions from behind Bob Boilen's desk. From a 23-piece band to a lone guitarist to a massive dance party, here are 15 highlights.

Tuesday December 15, 2015

Song Premiere: Damien Jurado, 'Exit 353'

Damien Jurado's new album, Visions Of Us On The Land, comes out March 18, 2016. Elise Tyler/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Elise Tyler/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Song Premiere: Damien Jurado, 'Exit 353'

December 15, 2015 • The singer takes a bleary but evocative journey on the first single from Visions Of Us On The Land, an epic new album due out March 18.

Pop Culture Happy Hour Small Batch: Frank Sinatra At 100

Frank Sinatra would have turned 100 on Saturday, Dec. 12. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour Small Batch: Frank Sinatra At 100

December 15, 2015 • Sinatra was born 100 years ago this past Saturday, which at NPR could mean only one thing: an opportunity to talk to superfan Sonari Glinton about the singer's formidable legacy.

Pop Culture Happy Hour Small Batch: Frank Sinatra At 100

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Wednesday December 9, 2015

Stephen Thompson's Top 10 Albums Of 2015

Joan Shelley's Over And Even is Stephen Thompson's favorite album of 2015. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Stephen Thompson's Top 10 Albums Of 2015

December 9, 2015 • These 10 albums plumb emotional depths, deliver powerful messages and, just when you need them most, soothe worried minds in a year when a bit of calm is a priceless commodity.

Friday November 13, 2015

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Live On Halloween, With Fred Armisen

Left to right: Pop Culture Happy Hour's Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson, Linda Holmes and Audie Cornish, plus special guest Fred Armisen. Larry French/AP Images for NPR hide caption

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Larry French/AP Images for NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Live On Halloween, With Fred Armisen

November 13, 2015 • Recorded live at Washington, D.C.'s Howard Theatre, Audie Cornish and a special guest join the show for a discussion of scary things, a quiz and What's Making Us Happy this week.

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Monday October 19, 2015

The Giant Foam Finger: What's Your Walk-Up Music?

Russell Martin of the Toronto Blue Jays chose the Nicki Minaj song "Truffle Butter" for his walk-up music. Jason Miller and Ethan Miller/Getty Images hide caption

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Jason Miller and Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The Giant Foam Finger: What's Your Walk-Up Music?

October 19, 2015 • Four teams remain in the battle to crown a World Series champion. So it's a natural time for Stephen Thompson and Gene Demby to discuss the songs you hear when different players get up to bat.

The Giant Foam Finger: What's Your Walk-Up Music?

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Saturday October 17, 2015

Whatever it is, it's most likely Justin Bieber's fault, right? Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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All Songs Considered

What's The Matter With Canada?

October 17, 2015 • Why do so many of Canada's most successful musicians shy away from acknowledging their home country?

Wednesday October 7, 2015

Review: Josh Ritter, 'Sermon On The Rocks'

Josh Ritter's new album, Sermon On The Rocks, comes out Oct. 16. Laura Wilson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Laura Wilson/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: Josh Ritter, 'Sermon On The Rocks'

October 7, 2015 • On his eighth album, Ritter delves into what he calls "messianic oracular honky-tonk." Fortunately, it's an approach that brings out some of the singer's slipperiest, nimblest wordplay.

Saturday October 3, 2015

The Good Listener: How Do We Pick 'Our Song'?

You can tell they both studied lyric sheets before picking their song. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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All Songs Considered

The Good Listener: How Do We Pick 'Our Song'?

October 3, 2015 • She listens to lyrics; he prefers rhythms. How do they decide on the first dance at their wedding?

Wednesday September 30, 2015

Saintseneca's new album, Such Things, comes out Oct. 9. Nick Fancher/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Nick Fancher/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: Saintseneca, 'Such Things'

September 30, 2015 • The Ohio band spends its new album shoehorning deep, dark ideas into pocket-sized pop-rock anthems. Every word and sound feels thoughtfully wrought, but Such Things also exudes freewheeling joy.

Friday September 18, 2015

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Stephen Colbert's Return And Great Talk-Show Guests

Vice President Joe Biden and Stephen Colbert. Jeffrey R. Staab hide caption

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Jeffrey R. Staab

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Stephen Colbert's Return And Great Talk-Show Guests

September 18, 2015 • The gang discusses CBS's Late Show With Stephen Colbert and describes what makes a great talk-show guest. And, as always, we run through What's Making Us Happy this week.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Stephen Colbert's Return And Great Talk-Show Guests

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Monday September 14, 2015

If Serena Williams Loses, Is It Still The U.S. Open?

Serena Williams serves to Roberta Vinci during their Women's Singles Semifinals match of the 2015 US Open on Friday. Alex Goodlett/Getty Images hide caption

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Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

If Serena Williams Loses, Is It Still The U.S. Open?

September 14, 2015 • On Pop Culture Happy Hour's sports spinoff, Stephen Thompson and Gene Demby discuss this weekend's U.S. Open final between two women not named Serena.

If Serena Williams Loses, Is It Still The U.S. Open?

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Saturday September 12, 2015

When you've got young kids, you've got to take every opportunity to listen. iStockphoto.com hide caption

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All Songs Considered

How Can Parents Make Time For Music?

September 12, 2015 • When life gets in the way of a music obsession, how do parents rediscover the mindset to dig deeper?

Friday September 11, 2015

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Labor Pains And Inspirations

Katherine Heigl, Leslie Mann, Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd in Knocked Up. Suzanne Hanover/Universal/The Kobal Collection hide caption

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Suzanne Hanover/Universal/The Kobal Collection

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Labor Pains And Inspirations

September 11, 2015 • Thoughts on childbirth and pregnancy in pop culture, plus memories of the ways movies, TV shows, musicals and other moments have shaped our long-term interests. Plus, What's Making Us Happy this week.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Labor Pains And Inspirations

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Wednesday September 9, 2015

Review: Glen Hansard, 'Didn't He Ramble'

Glen Hansard's new album, Didn't He Ramble, comes out Sept. 18. Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Danny Clinch/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: Glen Hansard, 'Didn't He Ramble'

September 9, 2015 • A veteran of The Frames and The Swell Season, Hansard possesses a worn but wonderfully flexible voice. Throughout his second solo album, his voice conveys kindness and warmth.