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Soundcheck

Monday, March 27, 2006
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  • In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
    In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel)

    The Making of a Cult Classic

    "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea," the 1998 album by the band Neutral Milk Hotel, has become a cult classic. Find out why critics consider it to be of the most inventive albums of the last century. The album's producer and the author of a new book about the record stops by the studio. And, Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzales has resisted musical fashions to carve out a unique, soulful style. He joins us with a live performance. Also: the Bombay Dub Orchestra

Neutral Milk Hotel

The story of a little-known band from the 1990s who put out a cult classsic.
» Neutral Milk Hotel's website
» 33 1/3's website

Bombay Dub Orchestra

The Bombay Dub Orchestra combines orchestral arrangements, electronica and the music of Bollywood.
» More on Bombay Dub Orchestra

Jose Gonzalez

The Swedish singer and songwriter has released a new record that's been called "a simple and sublime exercise in music without borders." He performs live in the studio.
» Jose Gonzalez's myspace site
» Jose Gonzalez Bravia Commercial

audience

Soundcheck Smackdown: When Contemporary Met Classical

Soundcheck

Like vegetables stuck into a delicious meal, contemporary classical music is forced on concert audiences before they are allowed to enjoy their Brahms. So says humorist, critic and author Joe Queenan. Today, Queenan and John Berry, Artistic Director with English National Opera, join us for a Soundcheck Smackdown debate on the merits of contemporary music.

musical clouds

You Are What You Hear

Soundcheck

Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi takes us through some of the most famously botched song lyrics in rock history. We’ll explore why the words we make up are usually more interesting than the real version. Then, listeners confess their favorite and most embarrassing reinvented lyrics.

Leave a comment: Give us your favorite set of misheard lyrics! Were you disappointed when you learned the actual words?

Rosanne Cash and Mark O'Connor

Soundcheck

For her, he was a father. For him, he was a boyhood hero. For the nation, he was an icon. Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash and composer and violinist Mark O'Connor join us to talk about how Johnny Cash has inspired their musical collaboration. And they will play live.

Katy

Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll

Soundcheck

Every year, popular and critical opinion somehow converge to settle on a "summer song." In 2007, it was Rihanna's "Umbrella." The year before, it was "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. The practice stretches back to the very dawn of pop radio. Yet defining the essence of a "summer song" is a bit elusive. We enlist the help of Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman -- and of our Soundcheck listeners, in an online poll.

Cast your vote: Soundcheck's Summer Song Poll 2008

Can't decide? Check out audio and video clips of the contestants here.

Our blog: John Schaefer asks what makes a good summer song,

  1. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention (08/25/2008)
  2. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from Denver (08/29/2008)
  3. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention: Day 4 (08/28/2008)
  4. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention: Day 3 (08/27/2008)
  5. The Brian Lehrer Show: Live from the Democratic National Convention: Day 2 (08/26/2008)
  6. The Leonard Lopate Show: 1-2-3 (08/26/2008)
  7. The Leonard Lopate Show: Layered Look (08/27/2008)