Stephen Thompson Stephen Thompson is an editor and reviewer for NPR Music, where he writes the advice column The Good Listener and fusses over comma placement. He is also a frequent panelist on All Songs Considered, and appears every week on Pop Culture Happy Hour.
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Stephen Thompson
Mates of State's Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel turn Tom Waits' loping "Long Way Home" into a relentlessly sunny anthem. courtesy of the artist hide caption
Long Way Home
On The Mynabirds' recent debut, Laura Burhenn sings a song called "Numbers Don't Lie." So there you go: Check the play count on your computer to answer the question, "What's your most played song?" Lisa Boggs hide caption
The Thermals. Alicia J. Rose hide caption
A reissue of Carissa's Wierd's best work sets mournfully deadpan vocals against a vibrant bed of strings and accordions. Brian Marr hide caption
'The Color That Your Eyes Changed With the Color of Your Hair' by Carissa's Wierd
Sun Kil Moon's "Admiral Fell Promises" is an almost impossibly lovely and tender plea to a would-be lover. courtesy of the artist hide caption
'Admiral Fell Promises' by Sun Kil Moon
Active Child's "Wilderness" winds up somewhere truly beautiful: one part ambient electronica, one part bedroom folk. Brent Mullins hide caption
'Wilderness' by Active Child
Ra Ra Riot. courtesy of the artist hide caption
As sweet strings and handclaps propel "Rio" along, Hey Marseilles offers up an endearing ode to adventure. courtesy of the artist hide caption
'Rio' by Hey Marseilles
Dave Matthews, seen here at Bonnaroo 2010, was a runaway winner of our Owned & Abandoned Sweepstakes. His prize: abandonment. Shantel Mitchell/for NPR hide caption
Folk-punk band O'Death performs at the 2010 Newport Folk Festival. Shantel Mitchell hide caption
Stephen Thompson's collection of long-neglected Prince CDs -- and, yes, The Scandalous Sex Suite is in there. Lindsay Sanchez/NPR hide caption