First Listen : NPR

First Listen: David Lynch, 'Crazy Clown Time'

David Lynch's debut album, Crazy Clown Time, comes out Nov. 8.

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Chris Saunders/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: David Lynch, 'Crazy Clown Time'

October 30, 2011 • The surrealist auteur has always played up music and storytelling in his films and TV work. His first album as a solo musician lives up to his reputation for dark, dreamlike imagery.

First Listen: Meshell Ndegeocello, 'Weather'

Meshell Ndegeocello's new album, Weather, comes out Nov. 8. Charlie Gross hide caption

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Charlie Gross

First Listen: Meshell Ndegeocello, 'Weather'

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October 30, 2011 • The singer-songwriter's appropriately titled Weather captures the complex and unpredictable emotions that accompany intimacy, desire and alienation.

Laura Veirs' new album, Tumble Bee, will be released on Nov. 8.

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Alicia J. Rose/Courtesy of the artist

First Listen: Laura Veirs, 'Tumble Bee'

October 30, 2011 • Warm, homey sincerity seeps out of every second of the singer-songwriter's sweet children's record.

Tom Waits' new album, Bad As Me, is out on Oct. 24.

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Jesse Dylan

First Listen: Tom Waits, 'Bad As Me'

October 23, 2011 • Waits' first all-new studio record in seven years toggles constantly between heartsick vulnerability and hell-bound defiance.

First Listen: Lila Downs, 'Pecados Y Milagros (Sins And Miracles)'

Mexican-American singer Lila Downs.

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First Listen: Lila Downs, 'Pecados Y Milagros (Sins And Miracles)'

October 23, 2011 • Hear the Mexican-American singer's examination of traditional culture — and see the amazing and vibrant contemporary artwork she's commissioned to accompany her music.

Midnite's new album, Kings Bell, comes out Nov. 1.

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Michael Nissman

First Listen: Midnite, 'Kings Bell'

October 23, 2011 • In recent years, Midnite's Vaughn Benjamin has become the most distinct voice in roots reggae since Bob Marley. The group's new album contains some of the catchiest songs Vaughn has ever written.

First Listen: Girl In A Coma, 'Exits And All The Rest'

Girl in a Coma's new album, Exits and All the Rest, comes out Nov. 1.

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Josh Huskin

First Listen: Girl In A Coma, 'Exits And All The Rest'

October 23, 2011 • The hard-rocking trio sounds better than ever on its fourth album, which wraps the songs of singer Nina Diaz in just the right arrangements.

First Listen: 'The Bridge School Concerts'

Neil Young performs with James Taylor at the 16th annual Bridge School benefit concert on Oct. 26, 2002.

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

First Listen: 'The Bridge School Concerts'

October 16, 2011 • Generous in every way, the multi-disc collection is stuffed with incentives to support its cause.

First Listen: El Rego Et Ses Commandos, 'El Rego'

El Rego: the godfather of Benin funk.

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First Listen: El Rego Et Ses Commandos, 'El Rego'

October 16, 2011 • A thrilling new compilation celebrates Benin's best-kept funk and Afrobeat secret.

First Listen: Joseph Calleja, 'The Maltese Tenor'

Joseph Calleja's The Maltese Tenor comes out Oct. 24.

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Mitch Jenkins

First Listen: Joseph Calleja, 'The Maltese Tenor'

October 16, 2011 • Hear the opera singer's retro sound shine though in a collection of popular tenor arias.

First Listen: Kathryn Calder, 'Bright And Vivid'

Kathryn Calder's second solo album, Bright and Vivid, comes out Oct. 25.

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First Listen: Kathryn Calder, 'Bright And Vivid'

October 16, 2011 • Calder joined The New Pornographers in 2005 as a sub for Neko Case, and became a full member the following year. Musically, the second solo album from the ringer-turned-regular is all about Calder's knack for blending in.

First Listen: Hammers Of Misfortune, '17th Street'

Hammers of Misfortune's new album, 17th Street, comes out Oct. 25.

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Craig McGillvray

First Listen: Hammers Of Misfortune, '17th Street'

October 16, 2011 • The new album examines an embattled soul, with songs that would be heavy with or without amps.

First Listen: My Brightest Diamond, 'All Things Will Unwind'

My Brightest Diamond's new album, All Things Will Unwind, comes out Oct. 18.

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Garrett MacLean

First Listen: My Brightest Diamond, 'All Things Will Unwind'

October 9, 2011 • My Brightest Diamond glitters on this collaboration with the alt-classical yMusic Ensemble, leading to a deeply personal and warmly intimate album.

Real Estate's new album, Days, comes out Oct. 18.

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First Listen: Real Estate, 'Days'

October 9, 2011 • The sun-dappled gems on Days recall comforting classics from countless eras, in the process calling to mind both bucolic settings and the confused, hopeful youth that made those places sing out in the first place.

First Listen: Body Language, 'Social Studies'

Body Language's new album, Social Studies, comes out Oct. 18.

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First Listen: Body Language, 'Social Studies'

October 9, 2011 • With its diverse mix of uptempo dance beats, pop hooks and soulfully funky vocals, Social Studies has something for just about everyone, provided they don't feel like sitting still.

First Listen

Sunday October 30, 2011

First Listen: David Lynch, 'Crazy Clown Time'

First Listen: Meshell Ndegeocello, 'Weather'

KCRW

First Listen: Laura Veirs, 'Tumble Bee'

Sunday October 23, 2011

First Listen: Tom Waits, 'Bad As Me'

First Listen: Lila Downs, 'Pecados Y Milagros (Sins And Miracles)'

First Listen: Midnite, 'Kings Bell'

First Listen: Girl In A Coma, 'Exits And All The Rest'

Sunday October 16, 2011

First Listen: 'The Bridge School Concerts'

First Listen: El Rego Et Ses Commandos, 'El Rego'

First Listen: Joseph Calleja, 'The Maltese Tenor'

First Listen: Kathryn Calder, 'Bright And Vivid'

First Listen: Hammers Of Misfortune, '17th Street'

Sunday October 9, 2011

First Listen: My Brightest Diamond, 'All Things Will Unwind'

First Listen: Real Estate, 'Days'

First Listen: Body Language, 'Social Studies'