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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

Sunday

Friday

The Horrible Crowes: Gaslight's 'Hurricane' Anthem

The timing is eerily right for the first single from The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon and his moody side project, The Horrible Crowes. Danny Clinch hide caption

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Danny Clinch

Review

Song Of The Day

The Horrible Crowes: Gaslight's 'Hurricane' Anthem

The timing is eerily right for the first single from The Gaslight Anthem's Brian Fallon and his moody side project, The Horrible Crowes.

'Behold the Hurricane' by The Horrible Crowes

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Friday

The Milk Carton Kids: The Sweet Spot

With "There By Your Side," The Milk Carton Kids' members make feel-better music — and who doesn't want to feel better? Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Review

Song Of The Day

The Milk Carton Kids: The Sweet Spot

With "There By Your Side," the band makes feel-better music — and who doesn't want to feel better?

'There By Your Side' by The Milk Carton Kids

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Thursday

Fountains Of Wayne: A Song For Luckless Suckers

Fountains of Wayne's "Richie and Ruben" seems to be mocking a pair of fast-talking losers, but there's more to the story. Violeta Alvarez hide caption

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Violeta Alvarez

Review

Song Of The Day

Fountains Of Wayne: A Song For Luckless Suckers

"Richie and Ruben" seems to be mocking a pair of fast-talking losers, but there's more to the story.

'Richie and Ruben' by Fountains of Wayne

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Wednesday

Noah And The Whale: Tiny Desk Concert
Amanda Steen/NPR

Tiny Desk

Noah And The Whale: Tiny Desk Concert

A few years ago, Noah and the Whale would have seemed like the last band to bring a drum machine to a Tiny Desk Concert. But here, the London band plugs in — and sweet simplicity still reigns.

Noah And The Whale: Tiny Desk Concert

Listen · 11:23
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Noah And The Whale: A Folk-Pop Band, Forever In Flux

Success hasn't come easily for Noah and the Whale, whose sound has changed constantly from album to album. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Music Interviews

Noah And The Whale: A Folk-Pop Band, Forever In Flux

Noah and the Whale has inspired a devoted following ever since its first album landed in the British Top 10 in 2008. But success hasn't come easily, and its sound has changed constantly.

Noah And The Whale: A Folk-Pop Band, Forever In Flux

Listen · 4:02
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Tuesday

The Mountain Goats: Dashed Dreams And White Knuckles

The Mountain Goats' "Estate Sale Sign" takes two entire lives and reduces them to junk that can't even be given away. D.L. Anderson/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media hide caption

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D.L. Anderson/Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

Review

Song Of The Day

The Mountain Goats: Dashed Dreams And White Knuckles

"Estate Sale Sign" takes two entire lives and reduces them to junk that can't even be given away. Surveying a relationship where once-coveted items are picked over and forgotten, Mountain Goats singer John Darnielle looks back on the wreckage with precious little false nobility.

'Estate Sale Sign' by The Mountain Goats

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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?

Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour

Listen · 39:36
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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

Listen · 9:51
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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.