NPR Names Laurie Anderson's "Homeland" Among the Five Best Genre-Defying Albums of 2010

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Laurie Anderson's Homeland has made NPR's list of The Five Best Genre-Defying Albums of 2010. "Some of the most compelling music being made today comes from the increasingly blurry boundary between indie-rock and contemporary classical music," says WNYC's John Schaeffer. "And it's some of the most provocative and exciting work of the year." As dark as Homeland may be, "this is as accessible and rocking a record as Anderson has made in 25 years," Schaeffer insists. "Whether singing, speaking or doing that in-between thing she does, she is in great voice, and the production sounds awesome."

Copy

Homeland, Laurie Anderson's first studio album in nearly a decade and now a Grammy nominee, has made NPR's list of The Five Best Genre-Defying Albums of 2010. "Some of the most compelling music being made today comes from the increasingly blurry boundary between indie-rock and contemporary classical music," says John Schaeffer, host of WNYC's Soundcheck, who chose the albums for the list. "Basically, we're talking about musically literate (i.e., able to read and write classical music notation) singers and players who grew up with and still play some form of rock music. The result is a convincing blend of styles."

In fact, Schaeffer corrects himself, rather than a mix of styles, this crop has created "something new, something distinct and original. And it's some of the most provocative and exciting work of the year." That would certainly be an apt description of Homeland, which takes a critical look at an array of contemporary issues, part political dialogue, part poetry song cycle combining words, electronics and live music.

"In her long and singular career, Laurie Anderson has never sounded quite so pointed, and perhaps so dark," Schaeffer insists, while recognizing that "Anderson's trademark wit is still here," however dark. "Having said all that, this is as accessible and rocking a record as Anderson has made in 25 years. Whether singing, speaking or doing that in-between thing she does, she is in great voice, and the production sounds awesome."

Read more of what Schaeffer has to say about the album and his other choices for Best Genre-Defying Albums of the year and listen to the Homeland track "A Dark Time in the Revolution" at npr.org.

To pick up a copy of Homeland, head to the Nonesuch Store, where the CD/DVD is now just $15.40 as part of the store's 3rd anniversary sale's 33% off all CDs, LPs, and DVDs.

featuredimage
Laurie Anderson: "Homeland" [cover]
  • Thursday, December 9, 2010
    NPR Names Laurie Anderson's "Homeland" Among the Five Best Genre-Defying Albums of 2010

    Homeland, Laurie Anderson's first studio album in nearly a decade and now a Grammy nominee, has made NPR's list of The Five Best Genre-Defying Albums of 2010. "Some of the most compelling music being made today comes from the increasingly blurry boundary between indie-rock and contemporary classical music," says John Schaeffer, host of WNYC's Soundcheck, who chose the albums for the list. "Basically, we're talking about musically literate (i.e., able to read and write classical music notation) singers and players who grew up with and still play some form of rock music. The result is a convincing blend of styles."

    In fact, Schaeffer corrects himself, rather than a mix of styles, this crop has created "something new, something distinct and original. And it's some of the most provocative and exciting work of the year." That would certainly be an apt description of Homeland, which takes a critical look at an array of contemporary issues, part political dialogue, part poetry song cycle combining words, electronics and live music.

    "In her long and singular career, Laurie Anderson has never sounded quite so pointed, and perhaps so dark," Schaeffer insists, while recognizing that "Anderson's trademark wit is still here," however dark. "Having said all that, this is as accessible and rocking a record as Anderson has made in 25 years. Whether singing, speaking or doing that in-between thing she does, she is in great voice, and the production sounds awesome."

    Read more of what Schaeffer has to say about the album and his other choices for Best Genre-Defying Albums of the year and listen to the Homeland track "A Dark Time in the Revolution" at npr.org.

    To pick up a copy of Homeland, head to the Nonesuch Store, where the CD/DVD is now just $15.40 as part of the store's 3rd anniversary sale's 33% off all CDs, LPs, and DVDs.

    Journal Articles:Artist NewsRadio

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, April 26, 2024
    Friday, April 26, 2024

    The Library of Congress has acquired the collection of manuscripts, instruments, costumes, video and audio recordings, and more from Kronos Quartet and its non-profit organization, Kronos Performing Arts Association. “It’s gratifying to know that Kronos’ legacy will be preserved in perpetuity alongside the manuscripts and other treasures of so many other influential musicians from the US and around the world," said KPAA Executive Director Janet Cowperthwaite. "We are perhaps even more excited to reflect upon all the musicians and scholars who will have access to these materials in years to come, informing their own work and carrying Kronos’ inspiration and influence into the future.” The Library also appointed Kronos founder, artistic director, and violinist David Harrington as the Kluge Chair in Modern Culture and inducted Kronos’ 1992 album Pieces of Africa into the National Recording Registry.

    Journal Topics: Artist News
  • Thursday, April 25, 2024
    Thursday, April 25, 2024

    Vagabon (aka Laetitia Tamko) will support the band Crumb on tour this October. The shows begin in California—Santa Cruz, Oakland, and Sacramento—then head to Salt Lake City and Denver and on to Texas—Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and El Paso—and Albuquerque and back to California to close out the tour in Santa Ana, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

    Journal Topics: Artist NewsOn Tour