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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

Saturday May 30, 2015

Why Do Amusement Parks Still Crank Songs From The '80s?

What's a ferris-wheel ride without the sweet sounds of REO Speedwagon? Uglinica/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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Uglinica/iStockphoto.com

All Songs Considered

Why Do Amusement Parks Still Crank Songs From The '80s?

May 30, 2015 • Everything changes — except theme-park playlists, where REO Speedwagon, Journey and Supertramp have never gone out of style. Why is that, exactly?

Friday May 29, 2015

Immerse Yourself In SOAK's Tender, Unsettled Debut Record

SOAK's debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, comes out June 2. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Music News

Immerse Yourself In SOAK's Tender, Unsettled Debut Record

May 29, 2015 • The first words Bridie Monds-Watson sings on her debut album double as a tidy thesis statement: "A teenage heart is an unguided dart." The Irish singer-songwriter records under the name SOAK.

Immerse Yourself In SOAK's Tender, Unsettled Debut Record

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Sunday May 24, 2015

Review: SOAK, 'Before We Forgot How To Dream'

SOAK's debut album, Before We Forgot How To Dream, comes out June 2. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

Review: SOAK, 'Before We Forgot How To Dream'

May 24, 2015 • The Irish singer recorded her debut at 18, so it makes sense that it would chronicle youthful uncertainty. Throughout the album, her songs command attention by burrowing deep under the skin.

Friday May 22, 2015

For 'Mad Men' And Letterman, A Week Of Goodbyes

Jon Hamm as Don Draper. Michael Yarish/AMC hide caption

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Michael Yarish/AMC

Pop Culture Happy Hour

For 'Mad Men' And Letterman, A Week Of Goodbyes

May 22, 2015 • Mad Men just ended after seven seasons; David Letterman is done with late-night TV after 33. The gang discusses both farewells, both legacies, and What's Making Us Happy this week.

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Saturday May 16, 2015

Can I Deflate The Beach Balls At Concerts?

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Shaun Lowe/iStockphoto.com

All Songs Considered

Can I Deflate The Beach Balls At Concerts?

May 16, 2015 • A reader who really hates beach balls at concerts wants to know her options.

Friday May 15, 2015

All Songs +1: How Music Can Really Save Your Life

May David Bowie, seen in this 1978 performance, bless and keep you. Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis hide caption

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All Songs Considered

All Songs +1: How Music Can Really Save Your Life

May 15, 2015 • For this week's All Songs +1 podcast, we talk with NPR Music's Stephen Thompson about his most recent "Good Listener" column on the life-saving powers of music.

All Songs +1: How Music Can Save Your Life

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Sunday May 10, 2015

Review: The Milk Carton Kids, 'Monterey'

The Milk Carton Kids' new album, Monterey, comes out May 19. Sara Kiesling/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sara Kiesling/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: The Milk Carton Kids, 'Monterey'

May 10, 2015 • The duo's sound feels lighter and looser than ever, sacrificing the tiniest bit of pristineness for a much-needed note of softly scuffed-up grace.

Saturday May 9, 2015

Can A Song Really Save Your Life?

It's easy to imagine music standing between life and death. Vladimir Vitek/iStockphoto.com hide caption

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All Songs Considered

Can A Song Really Save Your Life?

May 9, 2015 • Thoughts on when music might actually stand between life and death.

Sunday May 3, 2015

Review: Patrick Watson, 'Love Songs For Robots'

Patrick Watson's new album, Love Songs For Robots, comes out May 12. Olivier Sirois/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Olivier Sirois/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: Patrick Watson, 'Love Songs For Robots'

May 3, 2015 • The Montreal singer-songwriter's brain seems to overflow with wise and exacting ways to reflect on the way hearts work.

Monday April 27, 2015

Song Premiere: Mates Of State, 'Staring Contest'

Mates Of State's new EP, You're Going To Make It, comes out June 16. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Song Premiere: Mates Of State, 'Staring Contest'

April 27, 2015 • Casting the heady swoon of courtship as a game of intense focus, "Staring Contest" practically bursts with the giddy excitement of new love.

Saturday April 25, 2015

Why Do People Hate Nickelback So Much?

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All Songs Considered

Why Do People Hate Nickelback So Much?

April 25, 2015 • Hatred of bands is often about association — about the story of ourselves that we're comfortable telling the world.

Saturday April 18, 2015

The Good Listener: How Much Should I Tip A Street Musician?

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All Songs Considered

The Good Listener: How Much Should I Tip A Street Musician?

April 18, 2015 • Tipping is customary for good service, but not all performances (and performers) are created equal.

Friday April 17, 2015

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Daredevil' And Credulity

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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Daredevil' And Credulity

April 17, 2015 • The gang discusses the new Netflix superhero series, what happens when the audience knows too much and, as always, what's making us happy this week.

Pop Culture Happy Hour: 'Daredevil' And Credulity

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Wednesday April 15, 2015

Watch Shamir Perform 3 Songs From 'Ratchet'

Shamir performed songs from his upcoming album, Ratchet, at NPR Music's SXSW showcase at Stubb's on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Adam Kissick for NPR

Front Row

Watch Shamir Perform 3 Songs From 'Ratchet'

April 15, 2015 • Sporting a Yo Gabba Gabba T-shirt, Shamir clearly came to have a blast at our SXSW showcase. Watch him perform three songs from his upcoming album, Ratchet.

Sunday April 12, 2015

Review: San Fermin, 'Jackrabbit'

San Fermin's new album, Jackrabbit, comes out April 21. Denny Renshaw/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Denny Renshaw/Courtesy of the artist

Review

First Listen

Review: San Fermin, 'Jackrabbit'

April 12, 2015 • Some of the pretty grandiosity of the band's debut moves aside to make room for grittier energy, while Jackrabbit roots around for big ideas amid arrangements that clamor and storm.

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