Music Reviews

Director's Cuts

Director's Cuts : Fresh Picks

April 29, 2001 • Liane speaks with Weekend Edition Sunday music director Ned Wharton about the latest crop of new releases on CD.

Director's Cuts : Fresh Picks

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Isolation Drills

Fresh Air

April 20, 2001 • Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Isolation Drills the new release by the band Guided by Voices.

Isolation Drills

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Stephen Malkmus

April 18, 2001 • The band Pavement — from Stockton California — epitomized the slacker ethos of the 1990s. But they broke up last year. And now, the band's leader, Stephen Malkmus, has a new CD. Critic James Sullivan says Malkmus's music has a new, less cynical attitude. (4:00) Stephen Malkmus' self-titled CD is on the Matador label, release number ole-444, www.matador.recs.com.

Stephen Malkmus

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Daft Punk

April 10, 2001 • Daft Punk is a French music duo known for their electronic dance beats. They released a big smash dance floor CD in 1997. Their new release is the first thing since. The CD is called Discovery. Writer Will Hermes has a review. (3:30) The CD Discovery by Daft Punk is on the Virgin label.

Daft Punk

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'What's Next to the Moon'

April 2, 2001 • Music critic James Sullivan reviews What's Next to the Moon, a CD by Mark Kozelek. (4:00) The CD is distributed by the Badman Recording Company, San Francisco, Calif.; www.badmanrecordingco.com.

'What's Next to the Moon'

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Lou Harrison Review

Fresh Air

April 2, 2001 • Lloyd Schwartz reviews Rhymes with Silver by Lou Harrison.

Lou Harrison Review

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Orishas, 'A Lo Cubano'

March 1, 2001 • Banning Eyre reviews A Lo Cubano by the Cuban hip-hop quartet called Orishas. While spin-off releases related to the Buena Vista Social Club are captivating music fans outside Cuba, on the island of Cuba, the Orishas are big. This band is now based in France, though they insist they are not in political exile.

Orishas, 'A Lo Cubano'

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Blind Faith

February 21, 2001 • Music Critic Tom Moon says a new release by the old band Blind Faith is an example of the revival of free-form rock and roll. It's called the Deluxe Edition, and it contains some previously unreleased 1969 jam session recordings. (5:30) The Deluxe Edition 2-CD set by Blind Faith is on the Uni/Polydor labels.

Blind Faith

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Demons and Angels

Fresh Air

February 21, 2001 • Critic Milo Miles reviews a new 3-CD set Demons and Angels (Shanachie) collecting the recordings of blues guitarist Rev. Gary Davis.

Demons and Angels

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Director's Cuts

Director's Cuts

February 11, 2001 • Liane speaks with Weekend Edition Sunday music director Ned Wharton about the latest crop of new releases on CD.

Director's Cuts

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'Restless' Music from Rapper Xzibit

Fresh Air

February 7, 2001 • Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the recordings Live at the Fillmore by the group Cypress Hill, and Restless by the rapper Xzibit.

'Restless' Music from Rapper Xzibit

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Dolly Parton

January 29, 2001 • Sarah Bardeen, an editor at Listen.com, reviews the latest album by Dolly Parton. It's called Little Sparrow. (4:00) Little Sparrow, by Dolly Parton is on Sugar Hill/Blue Eye records. Also see http://www.Listen.com.

Dolly Parton

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'Mama's Gun' from Erykah Badu

January 25, 2001 • Music critic Tom Moon reviews the soulful sounds of Erykah Badu on a CD called Mama's Gun. Her music is a mix of 70's soul and modern hip hop. Moon says that on this record, through improvisation, Badu has found a way to make hip-hop regain its spontaneity.

'Mama's Gun' from Erykah Badu

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World Music Critic Milo Miles

Fresh Air

January 9, 2001 • World music critic Milo Miles reviews the new box set by Little Feat: Hotcakes and Outtakes: 30 Years of Little Feat (

World Music Critic Milo Miles

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Bevis Frond

December 28, 2000 • David Greenberger reviews the Bevis Frond's new album called Valedictory Frond. They are an English band who have been together since 1987.

Bevis Frond

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