Accessibility links
Music Reviews Music reviews of new albums in pop, rock, folk, jazz, blues, classical, world, and hip-hop.

Music reviews

Grieg's Piano Concerto, a Classical Workhorse

When he was a child, music critic Tom Manoff heard the music of Edvard Grieg, particularly his piano concerto in A-minor. This piece of music is known as a workhorse. In pop music, it would be referred to as a "greatest hit." Tom Manoff talks about the status of the warhorse in classical music and we hear Grieg's piano concerto performed here by Leif Ove Andsnes.

Grieg's Piano Concerto, a Classical Workhorse

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4512250/4512251" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

M. Ward Rounds Up Diverse Influences on New Album

Matthew Ward grew up in a home filled with music. The singer and songwriter, who performs under the name M. Ward, remembers hearing a wide range of tunes including Louis Armstrong's version of "Hello Dolly," the Carter Family's spirituals and the Doors. Our reviewer says Ward's new album, Transistor Radio, attempts to capture that diversity.

M. Ward Rounds Up Diverse Influences on New Album

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4510551/4510552" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Devotchka: 'How It Ends'

The musical quartet Devotchka uses upright bass, glockenspiel, tuba, accordian, trumpet and theramin in an exotic mix of South American rhythms, Eastern European gypsy melodies and North American folk music. Mikel Jollett of Filter magazine reviews the CD How It Ends.

Devotchka: 'How It Ends'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4503539/4503540" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Everything '80s Is New Again for Global Musicians

In pop culture, everything old gets recycled — and it's not just an American phenomenon. Reviewer Chris Nickson looks at a recent vogue among global artists for '80s cover tunes.

Everything '80s Is New Again for Global Musicians

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4502339/4502340" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Music Interviews

Israeli Pop Star Mines Ethiopian Folk Music

Israeli musician Idan Raichel won his country's song of the year honors with a piece that mixed pop and ethnic Ethiopian music. Raichel has helped introduce the music of Israel's immigrant Ethiopian community to a wider audience and is just finishing his U.S. tour.

Israeli Pop Star Mines Ethiopian Folk Music

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4501255/4501256" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Composer Jan Garbarek's 'In Praise of Dreams'

Norwegian composer Jan Garbarek blends jazz, atmospheric ambient music and European folk traditions, making his music tough to classify. Critic Jim Fusilli says that on his latest CD, In Praise of Dreams, Garbarek heads even further into the ether.

Composer Jan Garbarek's 'In Praise of Dreams'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4500654/4500655" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

The Hilliard Ensemble's Machaut Motets

Musician and Day to Day contributor David Was reviews a new recording of motets by the 14th-century composer Machaut. Was finds some very modern elements in the music, performed by the Grammy-nominated Hilliard Ensemble.

The Hilliard Ensemble's Machaut Motets

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4498403/4498404" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Composer Pierre Boulez: New Recordings

Fresh Air

French composer and conductor Pierre Boulez. He turns 80 years old next month. In celebration of his birthday next month, the record label Deutsche Grammophon is issuing five new recordings of Boulez's work. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz has a review.

Composer Pierre Boulez: New Recordings

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4498368/4498369" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Perfect for Mardi Gras: 'Big Ol' Box of New Orleans'

Just in time for Fat Tuesday, critic Michelle Mercer has a review of the four-CD set Big Ol' Box of New Orleans. It features a number of different musical styles popular in the Big Easy throughout the years.

Perfect for Mardi Gras: 'Big Ol' Box of New Orleans'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4491190/4491191" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">