Music Reviews : NPR

Brandy Clark Tells The 'Stories' That Are Tough To Hear

Brandy Clark's new album is titled 12 Stories. Becky Fluke/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Becky Fluke/Courtesy of the artist

Brandy Clark Tells The 'Stories' That Are Tough To Hear

Fresh Air

October 31, 2013 • Ken Tucker calls the country singer-songwriter's new 12 Stories a "modestly amazing album." Every song is striking, textured and finely detailed.

Cut Copy's new album, Free Your Mind, comes out Nov. 5. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

Review: Cut Copy, 'Free Your Mind'

October 27, 2013 • A few lost nights out rekindled the Australian foursome's flame for acid house, which has resulted in an album bearing clear evidence of that style's rallying call to let your hair down.

Cut Copy, 'Free Your Mind'

Audio for first listens is no longer available after the album is released.

The members of Caravan Palace are practitioners of electro-swing. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Europe Swings The Body Electric

Fresh Air

October 23, 2013 • What had been an infrequent novelty — mixing electronic and '30s beats with scat and big band-ish horn solos — has become more and more common among European dance musicians and producers. Critic Milo Miles looks at two compilations that highlight this European dance trend.

It's A Family Affair On Linda Thompson's 'Won't Be Long Now'

Linda Thompson's new album is called Won't Be Long Now. Annabel Vere/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Annabel Vere/Courtesy of the artist

It's A Family Affair On Linda Thompson's 'Won't Be Long Now'

Fresh Air

October 22, 2013 • The singer-songwriter's new album sounds like a collection of songs that could have been sung a hundred years ago, or written and recorded just a few weeks ago. She's joined on the album by her ex-husband, Richard Thompson, and their three children.

'Traces Of You': Anoushka Shankar's Memorial To Her Father

Anoushka Shankar's new album, Traces of You, comes out Tuesday. Harper Smith/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Harper Smith/Courtesy of the artist

'Traces Of You': Anoushka Shankar's Memorial To Her Father

October 21, 2013 • The sitar player and composer's father, Indian music pioneer Ravi Shankar, died while she was recording her new album, Traces of You. Banning Eyre reviews the record, which features Anoushka's half-sister, Norah Jones.

Review: William Onyeabor, 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'

Who Is William Onyeabor? is being released by the Luaka Bop record label. It comes out Oct. 29. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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First Listen

Review: William Onyeabor, 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'

October 20, 2013 • Even the compilers of a new funk collection don't fully know who William Onyeabor is.

William Onyeabor, 'Who Is William Onyeabor?'

Audio for first listens is no longer available after the album is released.

The Poets Of Rhythm: A Troop Of German James Browns

The Poets of Rhythm were a group of young retro-soul musicians from Germany. An anthology of their work was recently released. Julian Rosefeldt/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Julian Rosefeldt/Courtesy of the artist

The Poets Of Rhythm: A Troop Of German James Browns

October 18, 2013 • In the early 1990s, a group of young musicians from Munich perfected the sounds and rhythms of '60s and '70s American funk. Writer Oliver Wang reviews a new anthology of their music.

Tal National: The Rock Stars Of West Africa

Kaani is Tal National's third studio album. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Tal National: The Rock Stars Of West Africa

October 17, 2013 • Led by a guitar-playing judge, the Niger-based group is well known for epic live performances and grooves bursting with exuberance. Critic Banning Eyre discusses the band's latest album, Kaani.

Two Bluegrass Truths From James King And Alan Jackson

James King. Julie Lilliard King/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Julie Lilliard King/Courtesy of the artist

Two Bluegrass Truths From James King And Alan Jackson

Fresh Air

October 10, 2013 • On Three Chords and the Truth, James King picks from the canon of country music to rearrange its songs as bluegrass. Alan Jackson has recorded his first collection of bluegrass music.

Two Bluegrass Truths From James King And Alan Jackson

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Ahmad Jamal Weaves Old And New On 'Saturday Morning'

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Ahmad Jamal Weaves Old And New On 'Saturday Morning'

Fresh Air

October 9, 2013 • The jazz pianist uses his new record to recall works of yesteryear and simultaneously illustrate his new sense of direction. Jamal isn't playing the way he did 60 years ago, now that he's finished warming up.

Sleigh Bells: Stomping The Fine Line Between Sweetness And Menace

Bitter Rivals is Sleigh Bells' third studio album. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sleigh Bells: Stomping The Fine Line Between Sweetness And Menace

October 8, 2013 • The duo incorporates many genre influences to fit its hard-edged pop sound. Critic Will Hermes says the formula still works on Bitter Rivals, which finds the two musicians trying to expand their boundaries even further.

Barbara Hannigan and Bejun Mehta in the Festival at Aix production of Written on Skin. Pascal Victor/ArtComArt hide caption

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This Opera Will Eat Your Heart Out

Fresh Air

October 4, 2013 • In few operas does all the mayhem express what underlies George Benjamin's Written on Skin. The work conveys a profound awareness of human cruelty and its inextricable connection to passion and art.

On 'Days Are Gone,' Three Sisters HAIM It Up

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On 'Days Are Gone,' Three Sisters HAIM It Up

Fresh Air

October 2, 2013 • Can the highly publicized band turn its hype into hits? Ken Tucker wants to join the fan club.

Steady And Swingin': Tootie Keeps The Tempo

From left: pianist Ethan Iverson, drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath and bassist Ben Street. John Rogers/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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John Rogers/Courtesy of the artist

Steady And Swingin': Tootie Keeps The Tempo

October 1, 2013 • At 78, jazz drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath is still displaying his aptitude for making songs swing while keeping them firmly in time. Critic Tom Moon reviews Tootie's Tempo, Heath's collaboration with two younger jazz players.

Dave Holland's 'Prism' Goes To 11, Elegantly

Left to right: Craig Taborn (piano), Dave Holland (bass), Kevin Eubanks (electric guitar), Eric Harland (drums). Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Dave Holland's 'Prism' Goes To 11, Elegantly

Fresh Air

October 1, 2013 • Prism features one of the loudest bands of the bassist's career. The pleasures of the groove here are complex and deep — it's not just about moving feet.