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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.
Washington, DC - May 03, 2016: Stephen Thompson CREDIT: Matt Roth
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Stephen Thompson

Tuesday

Download: Thurston Moore's Beautiful 'Benediction'

A glorious bit of Velvet Underground-esque balladry, Thurston Moore's "Benediction" unfolds like a graceful prayer. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Song Of The Day

Download: Thurston Moore's Beautiful 'Benediction'

A glorious bit of Velvet Underground-esque balladry, "Benediction" moves elegantly through five minutes of subtle, gentle grace, propelled sure-handedly by Samara Lubelski's exquisite violin.

'Benediction' by Thurston Moore

Listen · 5:17
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Monday

Fang Island: A Mope-Free Zone

Fang Island's "Daisy" unfolds as a sunny summer jam in which emotion gives way to perpetual motion. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Song Of The Day

Fang Island: A Mope-Free Zone

Fang Island's "Daisy" unfolds as a sunny summer jam in which emotion gives way to perpetual motion. Along the way, it lives up to the band's stated wish to sound like "everyone high-fiving everyone."

'Daisy' by Fang Island

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Sunday

Middle Brother, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

Middle Brother's Matt Vasquez shreds at Auditorium Shores in Austin, Texas. Katie Hayes Luke for NPR hide caption

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Katie Hayes Luke for NPR

Live in Concert

Middle Brother, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

Middle Brother fits right alongside the rustic likes of Dawes, Delta Spirit and Deer Tick — which makes sense, given that each of those bands contributes a member.

Middle Brother, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

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Man Man, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

Man Man (led by Honus Honus) performed several songs off their forthcoming album, Live Fantastic. Shantel Mitchell for NPR hide caption

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Shantel Mitchell for NPR

Live in Concert

Man Man, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

There's something unhinged about Man Man. The Philadelphia band careens and stomps through songs at once bizarre, run-down and decadent.

Man Man, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

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Front Row: The Felice Brothers

The Felice Brothers performed at Auditorium Shores. Shantel Mitchell for NPR hide caption

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Live in Concert

Front Row: The Felice Brothers

The Felice Brothers' ramshackle sound draws on the past for a mix of subdued, Dylan-inspired folk and freewheeling Springsteenian rock.

Front Row: The Felice Brothers

Listen · 42:55
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Saturday

Friday

The Calm Blue Sea: Beautiful Buildup, Pummeling Payoff

The Calm Blue Sea's "Literal" spends nearly eight minutes billowing into a majestic wonder. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Song Of The Day

The Calm Blue Sea: Beautiful Buildup, Pummeling Payoff

At nearly eight minutes, The Calm Blue Sea's "Literal" moves through so many phases and changes, and achieves such elegance and power in the process, that it's actually a shame to hear it end.

'Literal' by The Calm Blue Sea

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Thursday

Front Row: Khaira Arby

Khaira Arby performs at The Parish in Austin, Texas. Shantel Mitchell for NPR hide caption

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Front Row

Front Row: Khaira Arby

The queen of Malian desert rock, Khaira Arby has the chops to overwhelm her incredible band, who create a hypnotic backdrop for her gloriously swooping vocals.

Listen Now: Khaira Arby In Concert

Listen · 30:57
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Front Row: The Joy Formidable

Joy-Formidable performs live at the Parish in Austin, Texas. Shantel Mitchell/Flickr hide caption

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Shantel Mitchell/Flickr

Front Row

Front Row: The Joy Formidable

A Welsh pop trio based in London, The Joy Formidable plays spiky, bouncy rock that benefits immeasurably from the charisma of frontwoman Ritzy Bryan.

Listen Now: The Joy Formidable In Concert

Listen · 23:13
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Colin Stetson, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

Colin Stetson performs at the Parish in Austin, Texas. Katie Hayes Luke for NPR hide caption

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Katie Hayes Luke for NPR

SXSW Music Festival

Colin Stetson, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

As a solo artist, saxophonist and prolific sideman Colin Stetson creates vivid, enveloping, challenging, seemingly free-form soundscapes.

Colin Stetson, Live In Concert: SXSW 2011

Listen · 13:06
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Wednesday