Jan 19th, 2010 · Beach House writes gauzy, dreamy songs with droning melodies, but the music is far from formless. Composing concise progressions and arrangements on which to build their sound, members Alex Scally and Victoria Legrand display an affection for intricate '60s-style songcraft and '80s-style synth-pop. Hear the Baltimore duo's new album, Teen Dream, a week before its release on Jan. 26.
Jan 11th, 2010 · Playing nine remarkable shows in Austin in 2009, Local Natives impressed enough fans, critics and record labels to get a release of their new album in the U.K. last fall (release in the U.S. is scheduled for February). Titled Gorilla Manor (in honor of their shared abode in Orange County,) the twelve-track collection is an emotional yet unfailingly cheerful pop offering.
Nov 26th, 2009 · The Ahs began playing a distinctive brand of string music together in 2005. A cellist and a banjo player mix dreamy vocal harmonies and chamber-folk on its second album, Leonard Cohen's Dream.
Nov 14th, 2009 · The latest film in the teen supernatural romance series Twilight opens Friday. This installment, New Moon, pits dreamy vampires against hunky werewolves in a battle for the hearts of teenage girls across America. Meanwhile, two humorists — Joe Garden and Bob Powers — have authored two self-help books for new members of the vampire and werewolf communities. The authors talk with Guy Raz about the misconceptions and challenges facing the vampire and werewolf communities.
Oct 26th, 2009 · Freelance Whales' dreamy pop is getting a lot of attention, both on the streets and in the blogosphere. The group is often spotted playing on sidewalks, in train stations and at humble New York City venues. Lugging an atypical array of instruments — including the harmonium, banjo, glockenspiel, guitars, bass, drums and the waterphone — Freelance Whales' members make music that's undeniably quirky and fun.
Sep 15th, 2009 · The alternately dreamy and experimental pop group from Hoboken, N.J., celebrates its 25th anniversary with a brand-new album and a full concert, webcast live on NPR Music Sept. 17. The performance, featuring music from the new Popular Songs and old favorites, will begin streaming online from Washington, D.C., at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Aug 24th, 2009 · We never thought we'd do it, but on this edition of All Songs Considered, we've got a tribute to Doris Day. Nellie McKay, an often irreverent and comical singer, reworks songs made popular by Day on a new album called As Normal As Blueberry Pie. Hear McKay's spare and elegant arrangement of "The Very Thought of You." Also on the program: a retrospective from the old-time string band New Lost City Ramblers; dreamy folk from the Canadian trio The Weather Station; the British electro-rock duo The Big Pink; experimental soundscapes from Blind Man's Colour; and the Vijay Iyer Trio remembers the music of Julius Hemphill.
Jun 29th, 2009 · Fanfarlo's upbeat attitude infuses their contagiously melodic music and passionate, dreamy stories. Their new album, Reservoir, reveals itself with each listen: The melodies are full of emotion and the way the songs hang together is delicate and powerful. Hear the album in its entirety.