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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

Friday

Pop Culture Happy Hour: It's Too Darn Hot, Board Games, And More
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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: It's Too Darn Hot, Board Games, And More

This week on our round-table pop-culture podcast, we ask questions. Exactly how hot would it have to be outside before you'd see The Smurfs just for the air-conditioning? Are you a Boggle person or a Scrabble person? Does the Game of Life reveal the tragic dark side of the American Dream?

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Thursday

They Might Be Giants: Tiny Desk Concert
Emily Bogle/NPR

Tiny Desk

They Might Be Giants: Tiny Desk Concert

A glance into the crowd assembled for the show in the NPR Music offices reveals just how far-reaching They Might Be Giants' appeal has become. Watch the band perform two of its brand-new songs, as well as "Fingertips," a classic 1992 chestnut.

They Might Be Giants: Tiny Desk Concert

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Tuesday

Sunday

Sunday

First Listen: Release The Sunbird, 'Come Back To Us'

Come Back to Us, the first album by Zach Rogue's new band Release the Sunbird, comes out July 26. Andrew Paynter/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Andrew Paynter/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Release The Sunbird, 'Come Back To Us'

There's not a harsh note in the music of Release the Sunbird, an appropriately named side project led by Rogue Wave singer-songwriter Zach Rogue. For all its summery brightness, its music remains as sweet as springtime, while still revealing subtle shades of autumnal melancholy.

Friday

Sunday

First Listen: Pokey LaFarge, 'Middle Of Everywhere'

Middle of Everywhere, Pokey LaFarge's latest album with his band The South City Three, comes out July 19. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

First Listen: Pokey LaFarge, 'Middle Of Everywhere'

On his new album, LaFarge tears through the sounds of the past with manically skittish energy. Middle of Everywhere sizzles and crackles along with speed, verve and style — as archaic as a megaphone crooner, but timeless like great bluegrass.

Tuesday

The Blind Boys Of Alabama: Tiny Desk Concert
Maggie Starbard/NPR

Tiny Desk

The Blind Boys Of Alabama: Tiny Desk Concert

Whether young or old, blind or sighted, these gospel greats craft an impeccable mix of polished blues, swinging soul and from-the-gut expressions of faith.

The Blind Boys Of Alabama: Tiny Desk Concert

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Friday

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In Our Host's Absence, We Invite 'Company'
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Pop Culture Happy Hour

Pop Culture Happy Hour: In Our Host's Absence, We Invite 'Company'

In host Linda Holmes' absence, the PCHH gang descends into madness, discussing Green Lantern, Stephen Sondheim and more.

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Monday

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concert
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Tiny Desk

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concert

When he turned up at the NPR Music offices to perform three songs from The King Is Dead, Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy wasn't expecting to be staring into dozens, if not hundreds, of rapt faces.

The Decemberists: Tiny Desk Concert

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Sunday

First Listen: 'Rave On Buddy Holly'

Rave On Buddy Holly, a tribute to the rock 'n' roll pioneer, features Holly covers by Paul McCartney, The Black Keys, Patti Smith and many more. The album comes out June 28. Hulton Archive/Getty Images hide caption

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Hulton Archive/Getty Images

First Listen

First Listen: 'Rave On Buddy Holly'

Rave On Buddy Holly does more than just throw big names against the wall over the course of a generous 19 tracks. It also adds up to an impressively diverse collection of takes on the innocence of another era.

Friday

Guyz Nite: 'This One's For Dad'

Guyz Nite's "Father's Day" is an almost preposterously goodhearted, winningly sincere tribute to Dad. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Review

Song Of The Day

Guyz Nite: 'This One's For Dad'

For all its bluster, Guyz Nite's "Father's Day" is an almost preposterously goodhearted (and clearly sincere) ode to dads who teach their kids to try hard and be decent people.

'Father's Day' by Guyz Nite

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Thursday

Wednesday

The Black Angels: Tiny Desk Concert
Adele Hampton/NPR

Tiny Desk

The Black Angels: Tiny Desk Concert

The Black Angels' music is hardly the stuff of stripped-down acoustic confessionals: It's the sound of a distant rumble, possibly beamed from a garage in a distant decade.

The Black Angels: Tiny Desk Concert

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