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 September 28, 2014

First Listen: Foxygen, '...And Star Power'

Foxygen's new album, ...And Star Power, comes out Oct. 14. Cara Robbins/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Cara Robbins/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Foxygen, '...And Star Power'

September 28, 2014 • There's a because-we-can quality to the band's overstuffed, 82-minute second album, as Foxygen delights in letting its loosest threads unravel.

...And Star Power

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

Saturday September 27, 2014

We like his early stuff better, before he sold out and joined The Stray Mob. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

When Was Pop Music At Its Lowest Point?

September 27, 2014 • Haunted by memories of Paula Abdul rapping with a cartoon cat, a reader asks about popular music's worst era.

Saturday September 20, 2014

Saying No To 'Songstress' And Other Forbidden Words

Sarah McLachlan gets called a "songstress" a lot. Translation: "Look everyone, a lady is singing a song!" Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Saying No To 'Songstress' And Other Forbidden Words

September 20, 2014 • A certain someone hates the word "songstress." What else should be abolished from music writing?

Sunday September 14, 2014

Sondre Lerche's new album, Please, comes out Sept. 23. Marius Hauge/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Marius Hauge/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen

First Listen: Sondre Lerche, 'Please'

September 14, 2014 • On the Norwegian singer-songwriter's seventh studio album, the ache and anger of divorce gets re-purposed into a loose, feisty, energetic record that finds Lerche sounding fully recharged.

Please

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

Saturday September 13, 2014

Maybe the release of a new U2 album isn't cause to declare the death of all music. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Do You Ever Just Get Sick Of Music?

September 13, 2014 • Ugh, all of those notes. What's a listener to do when music no longer soothes, enthralls or excites the way it once did?

Friday September 12, 2014

Celebrity Apologies, Regrettable Television

NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Celebrity Apologies, Regrettable Television

September 12, 2014 • After a few words about Joan Rivers, the gang delves into a conversation about apologies, sincerity, authenticity, free speech and PR. Then we give ourselves a quiz and discuss What's Making Us Happy.

Celebrity Apologies, Regrettable Television

Listen · 35:52 35:52

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Sunday September 7, 2014

Where Are All The Great Songs About Football?

No, "The Super Bowl Shuffle" does not count. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

All Songs Considered

Where Are All The Great Songs About Football?

September 7, 2014 • The Good Listener has a modest proposal for those who seek a football anthem everyone can enjoy.

Friday September 5, 2014

Repurposing 'The Simpsons' And Busting Out Of A Rut

NPR

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Repurposing 'The Simpsons' And Busting Out Of A Rut

September 5, 2014 • On the heels of a recent TV marathon, the gang discusses ways to make old things new again. Then it's on to a conversation about cultural complacency, followed by What's Making Us Happy this week.

Repurposing 'The Simpsons' And Busting Out Of A Rut

Listen · 41:49 41:49

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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