Sep 13th, 2008 · The government stepped in to help Bear Stearns and recently orchestrated a takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. How far will the government go to rescue other firms like Lehman Brothers? Business journalist Joe Nocera talks with host Scott Simon about the moral and practical hazards.
Sep 3rd, 2008 · It's hard to listen to The Silver City, the new CD from Minnesota chamber-pop artist Jeremy Messersmith, without thinking of Sufjan Stevens. Both artists have similar voices and a love of richly orchestrated story songs. They also find inspiration in geography.
Aug 22nd, 2008 · Often compared to the likes of Ben Folds, or even a muted incarnation of Queen, Jukebox the Ghost makes music that's buoyant without leaving a saccharine aftertaste. Exhibit A: the flamboyantly orchestrated "Good Day."
Aug 12th, 2008 · For An Invitation, George wrote the songs with just her voice and a guitar, then sent them away to master arranger Van Dyke Parks. The result is a lushly orchestrated, theatrical song cycle, which buoys George's unique vocal phrasing with a small orchestra.
Aug 11th, 2008 · Isaac Hayes, the legendary soul singer and composer, died Sunday in Memphis, Tenn. He was 65. His signature sound laid the groundwork for the lush orchestrations of disco and the hip vocals of rap. He was known more recently as the voice of "Chef" on South Park.
Jul 30th, 2008 · The combination of studying the classical tradition and traveling around the world informs the New York songwriter's brand of folk music. He visits WNYC to recount some of his experiences and perform music from his new album, Window Seat.
Jul 17th, 2008 · John Meeks has been playing and recording for 15 years, but his new Three Song Demo is the pre-release EP to his first full-length album, due out this Fall. It isn't as if Meeks has spent more than a decade trying to come up with some complex musical formula. In fact, what is so compelling about Meeks' music is his simple, straightforward approach. The three acoustic, country-twinged songs are free of artifice, aren't overly produced or orchestrated, and sound effortless.
Jul 16th, 2008 · Stars Like Fleas' music is disjointed, meandering, chaotic, and wonderfully unique. The group's second full-length release, The Ken Burns Effect, is a gorgeous jaunt through experimental orchestral pop that is as engaging as it is utterly confusing. The record seems at times aimless and at other times perfectly composed, if insanely so. With a wealth of instruments (at the album's recording the group was a 12-piece collective) that clash as often as they harmonize and tracks that drift from beautiful symphonies to discordant pandemonium on a whim, the album stands as a work of mad genius. Stars Like Fleas have created a sound that, though certainly not easily digestible, is extremely rich.