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Soundcheck / March 28, 2006

Soundcheck

Tuesday, March 28, 2006
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  • Las Rubias Del Norte
    Las Rubias Del Norte (Lisa Kereszi)

    Beyond the Sophomore Jinx

    From U2 to The Strokes to the Beastie Boys, musicians with hit debut albums face a big problem: their sophomore album. As the trio the Yeah, Yeah Yeah's releases its sophomore album today, we look at how artists do battle with the sophomore jinx. Nathan Brackett, Senior Editor at Rolling Stone joins us with his of the best and the worst sophomore CDs. Also: Their music looks back at a motherland they never had. The Brooklyn-based band Las Rubias Del Norte puts a Cuban spin on everything from boleros and cumbias to cowboy songs and Mozart. They release their second album today and perform live in the studio. And flutist Eugenia Zukerman and organist Anthony Newman introduce us to a program of music written for the musical clock.

The Sophomore Slump

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs made big news with their 2003 breakout record, "Fever To Tell." Today, they release their sophomore effort, "Show Your Bones." A look at the sophomore jinx, which plagues every artist who's striving to follow up on a hit debut.
» The Yeah Yeah Yeahs Web site

Las Rubias Del Norte

The "Blondes of the North" join us with a live performance.
» Las Rubias Del Norte Web site

Like Clockwork

American flutist Eugenia Zukerman and organist Anthony Newman share music written for the musical clock.
» Eugenia Zukerman's Web site

cab

Noteworthy New York

Soundcheck

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.

vote

Your "Democracy Song"

Soundcheck

As we march toward Election Day, Soundcheck wants you to identify a song that captures the spirit of democracy. It might be Woody Guthrie’s populist classic “This Land Is Your Land” or Sly and the Family Stone’s funky hit “Everyday People.” It might even be a current Top 40 hit with mass appeal. Put on your musical thinking cap, get creative, then post your song here.

walmart

Buying Music: A Smackdown Series

Soundcheck

Check out our ongoing series of Soundcheck Smackdown debates on the music marketplace -- and how we shop inside it. Part I: the pros and cons of MySpace. Part II: two documentarians throw down over music at Wal-Mart. Coming up: Part III: iTunes and Part IV: iPod vs. Zune

Atmosphere

Atmosphere

Soundcheck

With minimalist beats and confessional rhymes, the hip-hop duo Atmosphere became the toast of the hip-hop underground after it formed 10 years ago. Now, the group has turned to classic funk and soul, and frontman Slug is still telling captivating stories. They perform in our studio.

Tin Pan Alley

Tin Pan Alley

Soundcheck

A two-block stretch of West 28th Street was once the home of American songwriters and music publishers. But buildings in area are now up for sale, and preservationists fear a major development is in the works. We look at the history and future of Tin Pan Alley.

Michael Azerrad

I Am Azerrad ... No, I Am Azerrad!

Soundcheck

Nirvana biographer and indie-rock historian Michael Azerrad writes about musicians for a living. Now, the British band Tubelord (pictured) has written about him -- and the lyrics are a tad scary.

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile

Soundcheck

Two major players from the worlds of classical and American roots music have joined forces for an album of new material. They perform in our studio.

Tina Dico

Tina Dico

Soundcheck

Singer-songwriter Tina Dico tops the charts in her native Denmark. She joins us to share songs from her latest full-length album, "Count to Ten," as well as a trilogy of EPs.

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