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

Sunday August 31, 2014

Ryan Adams' self-titled 14th album comes out Sept. 9. Julia Brokaw/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Julia Brokaw/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Ryan Adams, 'Ryan Adams'

August 31, 2014 • After a three-year hiatus, the singer's 14th album is the sound of a once-prolific genius who's only recently relearned what it's like to walk on steady footing.

Ryan Adams

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince said it themselves: There's no need to argue. Jive Records/YouTube hide caption

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Jive Records/YouTube

All Songs Considered

Parents Just Don't Understand?

August 31, 2014 • Thoughts on a timeless question: "How do you get your parents to respect the music of today?"

Tuesday August 26, 2014

Interpol's new album, El Pintor, comes out on Sept. 9. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Interpol, 'El Pintor'

August 26, 2014 • The New York post-punk band has aged into its polished sound nicely, maintaining its influences (Joy Division, Echo and the Bunnymen, et al) while sounding more distinct from them than ever.

First Listen: Interpol, 'El Pintor'

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Sunday August 24, 2014

First Listen: Blonde Redhead, 'Barragán'

Blonde Redhead's new album, Barragán, comes out Sept. 2. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Blonde Redhead, 'Barragán'

August 24, 2014 • The last decade has seen a marked softening in Blonde Redhead's sound, to the point where the quietest moments on Barragán don't sound like songs so much as vapors infused with tunes.

Barragán

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Saturday August 23, 2014

Can I Ask Loud Talkers At Outdoor Concerts To Shut Up?

You're looking at Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes. But about 50 feet in front of him is a dude who will not shut up. Adam Kissick for NPR hide caption

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Adam Kissick for NPR

All Songs Considered

Can I Ask Loud Talkers At Outdoor Concerts To Shut Up?

August 23, 2014 • Shushing people at indoor concerts is understandable. What about events where options are greater?

Sunday August 17, 2014

First Listen: J Mascis, 'Tied To A Star'

J Mascis' new album, Tied to a Star, comes out Aug. 26. Justin Lapriore/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Justin Lapriore/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: J Mascis, 'Tied To A Star'

August 17, 2014 • Though not entirely unplugged, Tied to a Star showcases the soft intricacy of a veteran craftsman who knows when to hang back and decide to pulverize another day.

Tied To A Star

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Monday August 11, 2014

Stars' new album, No One Is Lost, comes out Oct. 14. Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Shervin Lainez/Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Songs We Love: Stars, 'From The Night'

August 11, 2014 • It's a misnomer to describe a song about embracing darkness as "sunny," but here we are. "From the Night" is the opening track from Stars' new album, No One Is Lost, which comes out out Oct. 14.

Sunday August 10, 2014

First Listen: Bishop Allen, 'Lights Out'

Bishop Allen's new album, Lights Out, comes out Aug. 19. Matt Petricone/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Matt Petricone/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Bishop Allen, 'Lights Out'

August 10, 2014 • Summery but subtle, Lights Out is the sound of a band that's mastered the art of quality control, just in time to release an album that's all highlights.

Lights Out

Audio for First Listens is no longer available after the album is released.

Saturday August 9, 2014

How Much Is Too Much To Pay For A Concert T-Shirt?

"Ooh, Love Horse, definitely one of those. Wait, forty dollars?!" iStockphoto hide caption

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iStockphoto

All Songs Considered

How Much Is Too Much To Pay For A Concert T-Shirt?

August 9, 2014 • You want to help a band cover costs, but you don't want to get gouged, either. How much is too much?

Tuesday August 5, 2014

Songs We Love: Porter Robinson, 'Divinity' (feat. Amy Milan)

Porter Robinson's debut full-length, Worlds, comes out August 12. Rachel Epstein/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Rachel Epstein/Courtesy of the artist

Songs We Love

Songs We Love: Porter Robinson, 'Divinity' (feat. Amy Milan)

August 5, 2014 • Porter Robinson, 22, has already started headlining EDM festivals without a full-length album to his name. That will change on Aug. 12, when Astralwerks releases his first LP, Worlds.

Songs We Love: Porter Robinson, 'Divinity' (feat. Amy Milan)

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