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Soundcheck

Monday, June 27, 2005
  • The British band Coldplay's third album "X&Y" (EMI)

    Coldplay: Greatest or Most Insufferable Band?

    The British band Coldplay has gone straight to the top of the Billboard 200 chart with its third album "X&Y" (EMI). Some are already calling them the World's Biggest Rock Band but others disagree, arguing that their music is middle of the road, and they are mere pretenders to U2's throne. Today: a face-off over Coldplay with New York Times music critic Jon Pareles and Newsday music critic Glenn Gamboa. We also take listener calls. Also on the show: The husband and wife Newman & Oltman guitar duo join us to share a new work by Augusta Read Thomas, titled "memory: SWELLS." The inspiration for Thomas' 10-minute work is a snippet of poetry by A.R. Ammons.

Best Live Performances of 2008

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We revisit memorable in-studio performances from Toumani Diabaté, Cat Power, Regina Spektor, and others.

The Year in Music and Branding

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Pop music and advertising go together like peanut butter and jelly. Grey Group music director Josh Rabinowitz shares his picks for the best song picks and ad campaigns of 2008.

Critics Week

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Music writers look back at the year's best pop, rock, hip hop, classical, jazz, Latin and world albums. Plus: the worst music of the year and the best online music. Read our critics' lists here. And don't forget to cast your vote in our best-albums poll.

Noteworthy New York

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We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.