Music

Music & Culture

Who Sang It First? Mockingbirds And Musicians Cover Each Other In New Orleans

7:47pm October 23, 2014

by Eve Abrams

The mockingbird is known for latching on to sounds and repeating them. But in the case of a certain four-note phrase New Orleans musicians use to communicate, the bird may be the original artist.

Queue Listen Now

'Season Of The Witch' Shines A (Black)Light On The Occult In Rock

10:42am October 23, 2014

by Jason Heller

Rock 'n' roll rebellion is mainstream today, but Peter Bebergal's new book summons a more shadowed past, when artists like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin brought an occult mystique to the music.

Herbie Hancock's new memoir is titled Possibilities.

Herbie Hancock: 'On A Path To Find My Own Answer'

10:26am October 23, 2014

by NPR Staff

In a candid interview, the ever-innovative pianist traces the lines between Buddhist chants, Sly Stone and Miles Davis, while shedding new light on some hard facts about his past.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Music Review: 'You're Dead!' By Flying Lotus

6:28pm October 22, 2014

by Oliver Wang

Steven Ellison has built an impressive reputation among critics and fans in the know for mixing hip hop, jazz and electronica into something original. But even for the aforementioned followers, the new album from Ellison — better-known as Flying Lotus — is a surprise. It's all about death, not as something to be mourned but as a journey to be anticipated.

Queue Listen Now

Sam Hunt has written hits for both Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban. His debut album, Montevallo, is out on Oct. 27.

Music & Culture

Are These The Next Crossover Country Stars?

2:47pm October 22, 2014

by Ann Powers

Now that Taylor Swift has left Nashville behind, a handful of other up-and-coming stars are showing how country crosses over with other genres — and hoping for success that does the same.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Taylor Swift Sells White Noise In Canada

7:32am October 22, 2014

A single for Taylor Swift's upcoming album came out on iTunes in Canada Tuesday. But it was only a few seconds of white noise, likely a technical glitch. The track shot to No. 1 on the charts.

Queue Listen Now

Protesters rail outside the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center on opening night of the opera "The Death of Klinghoffer" on Monday in New York.

Opera About 1985 Achille Lauro Hijacking Draws Protests At Met

11:29am October 21, 2014

by Scott Neuman

Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani was among those who denounced The Death of Klinghoffer by John Adams, calling it anti-Semitic and anti-Israel.

Alexander Scriabin originally set out to write a piece called "Orgiastic Poem," centered on physical ecstasy, but later decided to alter the title to something more ambiguous.

Music & Culture

Postlude To A Kiss: Scriabin's Raging 'Poem Of Ecstasy'

11:03am October 21, 2014

by Marin Alsop

Mystical Russian composer Alexander Scriabin saw music, heard colors and wrote music that goes from ecstasy to frenzy. Baltimore Symphony conductor Marin Alsop explores Scriabin's best-known piece.

Queue Listen Now

Music & Culture

Ex Hex's 'Rips' Does What It Says On The Cover

3:12pm October 20, 2014

by Ken Tucker

The initial triumph of Rips is that nearly every one of its songs is sing-along-catchy, immediately memorable.

Queue Listen Now

Janet Weiss (left), Carrie Brownstein (center) and Corin Tucker of Sleater-Kinney. The trio's first album since 2005 will be out on Jan. 20.

Music & Culture

Sleater-Kinney Reunites, Announces New Album

11:19am October 20, 2014

by Robin Hilton

Eight years after going on indefinite hiatus, the trio is back. They'll release a new album on Jan. 20 called No Cities to Love. Hear the song "Bury Our Friends" now.