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Soundcheck Archive


July 2008

Superhero Sounds

Thursday, July 31, 2008

From The Hulk to Iron Man to Batman, superheroes are saving the day in Hollywood movies this summer. Today on Soundcheck: the latest superhero soundtracks. Plus, a conversation with
Hans Zimmer, the co-composer of the score to "The Dark Knight," the hugely popular Batman sequel.


The Music of Joni Mitchell

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Joni Mitchell became a vastly influential singer-songwriter by combining a deep, personal style with the sounds of pop, jazz, and the avant-garde. On today's show, Lloyd Whitesell, the author of a new book on Mitchell reveals some of the hidden aspects of her creativity. Also: Bon Iver is a project fronted by Justin Vernon, the soulful folk songwriter based out of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He wrote and recorded the songs on his acclaimed debut "For Emma, Forever Ago" during three months of isolation in his father’s hunting cabin. He joins us to perform live.


iPhone, iHate

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Apple iPhone has inspired a cultish devotion for its music applications and sleek design. But there’s a growing backlash of “haters” who argue that the hysteria is all hype. On today’s show, a no-holds-barred smackdown on the iPhone.

Also: Old Chaplin, new music. Composer Carl Davis joins us to talk about writing scores for three of Charlie Chaplin's greatest shorts.


Why We Can't Resist Abba

Monday, July 28, 2008

30 years after the song Mamma Mia! first hit the charts, the music of Abba is pulling in crowds on Broadway, in movie theaters, and in records stores. On today's show, we look at how songs by Abba, and others, become "musical wallpaper." Also: Kids Music rock star Dan Zanes performs live.


Crowning 2008's Song of the Summer

Friday, July 25, 2008

Every summer, one song seems to blast from every beach radio, car stereo, and block-party boombox around the city. Blender editor at large Lizzy Goodman joins us to crown this summer’s biggest jam. Also: Singer-songwriter Brendan James went from a check-out clerk at Urban Outfitters to a favorite of Carly Simon and other stars. He joins us to perform live.

Cast your vote for the song of the summer - and watch clips of the contenders here.


Music and the Infant Mind

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Are you paying attention to how you bounce that baby on your knee? If you want him to be a country star, bounce him to the two-step. If a waltz is more your preference, then rock him to sleep on every third beat. On today's show, we look at the effects of exposing different music, and rhythms, on developing brains with a brain researcher and a music writer-dad. Also: composer Joshua Camp shares his new composition honoring Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.

Online Poll! Be sure to vote for the hottest song of the summer. Tune in Friday, July 25 to hear the results.


Straight to Video Games

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Music video games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" have grown so popular that bands like Guns 'n' Roses and Metallica are releasing their music on the consoles before the record store. Today we take a look at the power of video games to sell songs. Also: The New York rock quartet Ambulance LTD draws on influences ranging from The Beatles and the Rolling Stones to My Bloody Valentine. They worked with The Velvet Underground's John Cale on their latest album and today they join us to perform live.


Who's the Audience for Contemporary Classical?

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

While some music fans love contemporary classical, others consider it musical spinach, forced on concert audiences before they can enjoy their Brahms. On today's Soundcheck Smackdown, humorist Joe Queenan joins us for a debate on the merits of new music. Also: Afro-Peruvian ensemble Grupo Afroperuano Caracumbe perform live.


Bruce Springsteen Saved My Life

Monday, July 21, 2008

In the memoir, Greetings from Bury Park the British-Asian author Sarfraz Manzoor recalls growing up in the Eighties as a fanatical Bruce Springsteen fan. Today: Manzoor discusses the appeal of the Jersey rocker on a Muslim kid in working-class England. Also: Justin Timberlake promised to bring sexy back, but Norwegian dance-rock band Datarock are bringing nerdy back. The tracksuit-wearing duo, Fredrik Saroea and Ketil Mosnes, join us to share their funk tinged indie-dance sound live in the studio.


The Future of Hip Hop

Friday, July 18, 2008

For years, DJs and MCs fended off declarations of hip hop’s demise with innovative beats and chart-busting albums. But these days, hip hop is stuck in a deep funk. Today on Soundcheck, we look at hip hop’s soul-searching journey into the future. And later: West African Lionel Loueke mixes the giants of jazz with African traditions. He talks about his turn on Herbie Hancock's Grammy winning album and plays in our studio. This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.


"Stunt" Pieces

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Next week, 500 harpists will perform together in the Netherlands. Meanwhile, a new DVD features a string quartet by Stockhausen performed on four helicopters. These are but two examples of a long tradition of outrageous performances. Others that we explore today include a 200-electric-guitar composition and a performance on the Central Park boat pond by 24 musicians playing in rowboats. Also: Brendan Canning, from the indie-rock band Broken Social Scene, joins us for a live performance.


The Last Play at Shea

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Tonight and Friday, Billy Joel performs what will be the very last shows at Shea Stadium. Today we look back at some of the ballpark's musical highlights -- from the Beatles' legendary 1965 concert to Jimi Hendrix's Festival for Peace. Plus: it's Stravinsky remixed. Andrew Cyr and Ricardo Romaneiro talk about re-mixing the Rite of Spring as electronica.


Soundcheck Smackdown: Summer Festival Blues

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Summer festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza are billed as critical cultural events wrapped up in the greatest party on the planet. But with soaring ticket prices, searing heat, tired line-ups, and defective port-o-potties, are they really such fun? Today: debating whether multi-day festivals are holy or hype. Also: Before his performance tonight with the New York Philharmonic in Central Park, pianist Lang Lang joins us to talk about his two (yes, two) new autobiographies.


Music: Weapon of War

Monday, July 14, 2008

Blaring loud music has become a standard interrogation technique in prisons from Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo. Today, a look at musicians who are speaking out about the practice. Also: Colin McGrath's new album "Window Seat" is steeped in storytelling, images of Americana, and sounds of classical, folk and pop music. McGrath performs live in our studio.


China's Music Boom

Friday, July 11, 2008

All eyes are on China, and not just because of the Summer Olympics. Many in Western classical music circles point to China as the future of the genre. But New Yorker music critic Alex Ross isn't so sure. He joins us to talk about the ups and downs of China's music boom and its role in the Summer Games. Also: Kim Deal helped create a roadmap for alternative rock with her bands the Pixies and the Breeders. She joins us to talk about the first Breeders record in six years.


'Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Three decades after this notoriously mangled song lyric become fodder for rock fans, Webster's Dictionary has put a name to the phenomenon – mondegreens. Washington Post reporter Paul Farhi explains how a misheard lyric (such as Jimi Hendrix's "'Scuse me, while I kiss the sky") is a window into the psyche of the listener. Plus: British rocker The Real Tuesday Weld is back with a new sound and a big band, live in our Soundcheck studio.


McLaren Leaves Mark on Times Square

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Sex and rock 'n roll - it's the oldest combination known to music fans. And Malcolm McLaren is still making it happen. The man best known for founding the Sex Pistols talks about his latest project – putting art porn to a rock soundtrack on MTV’s 44-foot movie screen in Times Square. Plus, a live performance by the the Escher Quartet, one of the hot young string quartets on the scene today.


Smackdown: 'Live' or Let Die?

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Live albums created some of pop's defining moments, from Johnny Cash's legendary prison concerts to "Frampton Comes Alive." Now, the impact of live albums is waning in the YouTube era. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate whether the live album is worth saving. Plus: the artist known as Doveman sends up a hit film soundtrack of the 1980s.


Disaster songs

Monday, July 07, 2008

The disasters of the past were not subjects of tabloids or TV shows, but songs. We talk to the producer of a box set on tunes about murders, fires and floods to find out why disaster songs were once so popular. And music writer Greil Marcus explains how they made their way into Bob Dylan's music.

Also: Songwriter Liam Finn is following in the footsteps of his father, Neil, leader of two of New Zealand's best-known acts, Crowded House and Split Enz. On his solo debut, "I'll Be Lightning," Liam displays the same flair for Beatles pop that made his fathers' reputation. He joins us for a live performance.


Learning to write a song

Friday, July 04, 2008

With a little help from famous friends. After teaching himself how to play the guitar in six months, journalist Will Hodgkinson decided to learn how to write a song. So he got help from people like Keith Richard and Cat Power... and wrote a book about it. He joins us to unveil what he learned... or didn’t really.

Also: From bad songwriter to one of the most talented songwriters working today. John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats joins us to talk about his new album, about his passion for heavy metal, his writing problem… and he performs in our studio.


Is Coldplay Rock's Heir Apparent?

Thursday, July 03, 2008

Some critics are comparing Coldplay’s new album to U2’s "Achtung Baby." But others argue lead-singer Chris Martin is only a second-rate Bono. In the latest Soundcheck Smackdown: we debate whether Coldplay deserves to be the top-selling band in the nation.

Also: Choreographer Twyla Tharp talks about her latest work featuring an original score by Danny Elfman.


Change You Can... Dance To

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

As Soundcheck airs our first show from our new Varick Street studios, the New York music scene is also undergoing big changes. New venues like Drom, (Le) Poisson Rouge and The Brooklyn Masonic Temple are in. Meanwhile CBGB, Tonic and The Village Gate are out. And the Williamsburg club Galapagos is moving to Dumbo. We’ll find out what's behind the club shuffle.

Also: Vinicio Capossela is the Italian equivalent of Tom Waits, but his live shows come with scary masks and costumes. He joins us to talk about his new album, which includes collaborators like producer JD Foster (Tom Waits/Calexico) and composer Anthony Coleman.


When Enough Is Enough

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Author J.D. Salinger disappeared from the literary world not long after the success of "Catcher in the Rye." But in music, reunion tours and comebacks make it tough to quit. Today: creative peaks and retirement. Also: Members of the Arabesque Music Ensemble have recorded with pop stars Shakira and Beyonce. But the group's own music skews toward traditional, even obscure, Arab music. They join us to share their latest CD.

This is an encore edition of Soundcheck.