NPR Series: Song Of The Day http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4703895&ft=1&f=4703895 Listen as reviewers share their favorite songs. Discover music from artists both new and old. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Song Of The Day http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4703895&ft=1&f=4703895 NprSongoftheDayhttp://feedburner.google.com(Enter a personal message you would like to have appear at the top of your feed.) Jon Hopkins: Ethereal Tones, Grimy Rhythms Hopkins' atmospheric "Insides" lumbers with a beat that's 50 stories tall; each gruff bass note hits like a defibrillator to the brain, with subtle glitches providing aftershocks. The music breathes erratically as the rhythmic stomps start to thrash. An astral chorus reaches for the heavens, but everything sputters to a halt, leaving a single note to whisper in solitude. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/5fRxO4iekG0/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120708265&ft=1&f=4703895 Hopkins' atmospheric "Insides" lumbers with a beat that's 50 stories tall; each gruff bass note hits like a defibrillator to the brain, with subtle glitches providing aftershocks. The music breathes erratically as the rhythmic stomps start to thrash. An astral chorus reaches for the heavens, but everything sputters to a halt, leaving a single note to whisper in solitude.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120708265&ft=1&f=4703895 Liam Finn And Eliza Jane: Shards Of Sound "Imagine what is possible if you could separate time," the two sing at the outset of "Long Way to Go." They provide a glimmer of what they have in mind during their live performances, wherein Finn samples himself playing one instrument before hopping over to the next, folding moments over on themselves until he's created a temporal loop of multiple Finns existing in one fragmented moment. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:00:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/Dei60cH61sY/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120701735&ft=1&f=4703895 "Imagine what is possible if you could separate time," the two sing at the outset of "Long Way to Go." They provide a glimmer of what they have in mind during their live performances, wherein Finn samples himself playing one instrument before hopping over to the next, folding moments over on themselves until he's created a temporal loop of multiple Finns existing in one fragmented moment.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120701735&ft=1&f=4703895 Jemina Pearl: Winning Friends With Iggy Pop There's just something about Iggy Pop. It's that voice: implacable, tomblike, capable of conferring gravity upon the slightest slip of a song. In this case, the song is the cheery ode to misanthropy "I Hate People," by 22-year-old Jemina Pearl, former frontwoman of the short-lived, much-loved Be Your Own Pet. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 10:32:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/lGuSiFjir2k/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120682525&ft=1&f=4703895 There's just something about Iggy Pop. It's that voice: implacable, tomblike, capable of conferring gravity upon the slightest slip of a song. In this case, the song is the cheery ode to misanthropy "I Hate People," by 22-year-old Jemina Pearl, former frontwoman of the short-lived, much-loved Be Your Own Pet.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120682525&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Beyonce's 'Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)' (2009) Sure, "Single Ladies" actually came out in 2008. But since we don't have numbers on this year yet, it's fair to argue that it's the jam of 2009. (Though, admittedly, some would argue that it's neck and neck with Miley Cyrus' "Party In The U.S.A.") Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:12:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/vHphQYjqwQs/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618331&ft=1&f=4703895 Sure, "Single Ladies" actually came out in 2008. But since we don't have numbers on this year yet, it's fair to argue that it's the jam of 2009. (Though, admittedly, some would argue that it's neck and neck with Miley Cyrus' "Party In The U.S.A.")

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120618331&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Taylor Swift's 'Teardrops On My Guitar' (2008) In "Teardrops on My Guitar," Swift tells a common story. She likes this guy named Drew; he likes another girl; she fakes "a smile so he won't see" how much she hurts. Simple enough, but what differentiates Swift from other teen pop stars is that her songs impart viscerally what it feels like to be a teenager, when hyper-real emotions can still be conveyed with timidity. Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:35:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/aY-xfdmdw3Q/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120557728&ft=1&f=4703895 In "Teardrops on My Guitar," Swift tells a common story. She likes this guy named Drew; he likes another girl; she fakes "a smile so he won't see" how much she hurts. Simple enough, but what differentiates Swift from other teen pop stars is that her songs impart viscerally what it feels like to be a teenager, when hyper-real emotions can still be conveyed with timidity.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120557728&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Rihanna's 'Umbrella' (2007) All alien-science synthesizers, crispy hi-hats and galvanizing delivery, "Umbrella" is what happens when an unclassifiable singer meets an ineffable song. It turned out to be the summer jam of 2007, echoing across the world to an indelible refrain: "ella, ella / ay, ay, ay." Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:32:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/kZ2mnk-Zrqw/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120530500&ft=1&f=4703895 All alien-science synthesizers, crispy hi-hats and galvanizing delivery, "Umbrella" is what happens when an unclassifiable singer meets an ineffable song. It turned out to be the summer jam of 2007, echoing across the world to an indelible refrain: "ella, ella / ay, ay, ay."

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120530500&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy' (2006) When it was announced that Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo Green and producer Danger Mouse were going to collaborate as Gnarls Barkley, there was no predicting the massive success of "Crazy." It was a song <em>everyone</em> seemed to like, and it remains a left-field wonder of psychedelic soul. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:32:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/IgvzDk3qkW4/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120469364&ft=1&f=4703895 When it was announced that Goodie Mob's Cee-Lo Green and producer Danger Mouse were going to collaborate as Gnarls Barkley, there was no predicting the massive success of "Crazy." It was a song everyone seemed to like, and it remains a left-field wonder of psychedelic soul.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120469364&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Kelly Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone' (2005) In the dynamite 2005 single "Since U Been Gone," Clarkson belts out one of the decade's great pop songs, following a familiar formula &mdash; jilted ex-girlfriend indignantly declares independence &mdash; but infusing it with energy, charisma and full-throated intensity. Sure, the over-the-top, loud-louder-loudest production helps. But it's an unmistakably great pop-rock song, thanks most of all to an unmistakably great pop-rock singer. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:59:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/bLcGqTv64KI/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120442498&ft=1&f=4703895 In the dynamite 2005 single "Since U Been Gone," Clarkson belts out one of the decade's great pop songs, following a familiar formula — jilted ex-girlfriend indignantly declares independence — but infusing it with energy, charisma and full-throated intensity. Sure, the over-the-top, loud-louder-loudest production helps. But it's an unmistakably great pop-rock song, thanks most of all to an unmistakably great pop-rock singer.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120442498&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Britney Spears' 'Toxic' (2004) A product of the post-teen-pop, pre-Kevin Federline Britney Spears of early 2004, "Toxic" was the second single from Spears' fourth studio album, <em>In the Zone</em>. No longer apologetic or defensive for breaking away from her '90s virginal teeny-bopper image and sound, the Spears in "Toxic" is out to have a good time on her own terms. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:41:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/v30NsvktX0Y/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120385043&ft=1&f=4703895 A product of the post-teen-pop, pre-Kevin Federline Britney Spears of early 2004, "Toxic" was the second single from Spears' fourth studio album, In the Zone. No longer apologetic or defensive for breaking away from her '90s virginal teeny-bopper image and sound, the Spears in "Toxic" is out to have a good time on her own terms.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120385043&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: 50 Cent's 'In Da Club' (2003) "In Da Club" was a ubiquitous presence on seemingly every commercial radio station, at every hour of the day. The song made 50 Cent out to be a loveable, huggable roughneck the likes of which the ladies hadn't seen since Method Man. "I'm into having sex, I ain't into making love," he drawls, adding, "So come give me a hug." Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:54:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/Yk7xi4BAinM/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120354750&ft=1&f=4703895 "In Da Club" was a ubiquitous presence on seemingly every commercial radio station, at every hour of the day. The song made 50 Cent out to be a loveable, huggable roughneck the likes of which the ladies hadn't seen since Method Man. "I'm into having sex, I ain't into making love," he drawls, adding, "So come give me a hug."

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120354750&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: Jimmy Eat World's 'The Middle' (2002) Mainstream rock was in dire straits in the early 2000s, but out of a world of jaw-wired-shut self-plagiarizers and rap-rockers came arguably the power-pop anthem of the decade. Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" is a hopeful, energetically poppy punk song about being yourself. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:18:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/ytkTaSZTBFw/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120291047&ft=1&f=4703895 Mainstream rock was in dire straits in the early 2000s, but out of a world of jaw-wired-shut self-plagiarizers and rap-rockers came arguably the power-pop anthem of the decade. Jimmy Eat World's "The Middle" is a hopeful, energetically poppy punk song about being yourself.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120291047&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: OutKast's 'So Fresh, So Clean' (2001) As the music industry began to break apart and go niche, it's remarkable that a group as artistically ambitious as OutKast could break through the way it did. But <em>Stankonia</em> was one of those game-changing records that made everyone perk up and pay attention. Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:32:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/YsIYpsfdyTs/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120255173&ft=1&f=4703895 As the music industry began to break apart and go niche, it's remarkable that a group as artistically ambitious as OutKast could break through the way it did. But Stankonia was one of those game-changing records that made everyone perk up and pay attention.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120255173&ft=1&f=4703895 The Decade In Music: 'N Sync's 'Bye Bye Bye' (2000) Every weekday from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20, Song of the Day will survey the past decade, one year (and one song) at a time, with an emphasis on America's most popular music. For the year 2000, it's 'N Sync's "Bye Bye Bye," which feels like the product of a shadowy pre-Sept. 11 world in which telegenic boys dance in unison. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:23:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/hUlbajcfvqg/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120239197&ft=1&f=4703895 Every weekday from Nov. 9 to Nov. 20, Song of the Day will survey the past decade, one year (and one song) at a time, with an emphasis on America's most popular music. For the year 2000, it's 'N Sync's "Bye Bye Bye," which feels like the product of a shadowy pre-Sept. 11 world in which telegenic boys dance in unison.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120239197&ft=1&f=4703895 Visqueen: A Ferocious Song Of Devotion In Visqueen's crunchy, urgent power-pop song "Hand Me Down," crunchy guitars and Rachel Flotard's incomparable voice simultaneously destroy and mesmerize. As its title suggests, "Hand Me Down" is rooted in a singular bond that spans generations. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:58:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/zBs0rlCBUXQ/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120171214&ft=1&f=4703895 In Visqueen's crunchy, urgent power-pop song "Hand Me Down," crunchy guitars and Rachel Flotard's incomparable voice simultaneously destroy and mesmerize. As its title suggests, "Hand Me Down" is rooted in a singular bond that spans generations.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120171214&ft=1&f=4703895 The xx: The Sounds Of Gothic Soul At first, The xx's "Crystalised" resembles an undercooked demo, as singer-guitarist Romy Croft and guitarist Baria Qureshi strum gloomy notes over muted, rumbling drums. But then the group glides into the chorus and the sudden shift to a bright, melodic key feels jarring in the best sense possible. It's like looking at one of those Magic Eye paintings: Suddenly, everything comes into focus. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:14:00 -0500 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/NprSongoftheDay/~3/a_NgcKpg55g/story.php http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120126971&ft=1&f=4703895 At first, The xx's "Crystalised" resembles an undercooked demo, as singer-guitarist Romy Croft and guitarist Baria Qureshi strum gloomy notes over muted, rumbling drums. But then the group glides into the chorus and the sudden shift to a bright, melodic key feels jarring in the best sense possible. It's like looking at one of those Magic Eye paintings: Suddenly, everything comes into focus.

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]]> http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120126971&ft=1&f=4703895