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music critic
Feature writer and critic who covers music and the pop charts for Pitchfork, Slate, NPR Music, and more
PROFILE
Chris Molanphy
Guest
FROM Chris Molanphy
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Why are the Grammys called Grammys? And other questions Grammy nominations are out today and Beyonce’s album “Lemonade” leads the pack. But the prestige of winning a Grammy has seemingly fallen to the cultural wayside. Frank Ocean, who released one of the most critically acclaimed albums this year, said he wouldn’t even submit it for consideration. We answer all your questions about the Grammys.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Adele's Record-Breaking Record Adele’s new album, 25, has broken the music industry’s record for most albums sold in a single week. And the week is barely halfway through! The record, released on Friday, has already sold more than 2 million copies. Only one other album has done that since Nielsen began tracking sales in 1991: N*SYNC’s No Strings Attached, in 2000. What does Adele’s success tell us about her unique appeal and the music industry in general?
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
'Walking on Sunshine' Sells for $15 Million The song 'Walking on Sunshine' has been used or covered in so many TV commercials, shows and movies, that it earns about a million dollars a year. It was released by the British group Katrina and The Waves in 1985. Now, 30 years later, the record label BMG has paid nearly $15 million for the rights to every song written by the band.
Recommended
Good Food
'Dandelion and Quince,' food and crime, 'All About Eggs' Sarah Lohman talks about the murder and historic recipes that form the backbone of her new book, “Ohio 1910,” and Rachel Khong shares highlights from Lucky Peach’s last cookbook, “All About Eggs.” Michelle Mckenzie tells us how to cook oft-forgotten fruits, veggies and herbs, and Jonathan Gold reviews AR Cucina in Culver City. Plus: raspberries at the market and a special guest DJ set from Alton Brown.
Bookworm
Morgan Parker: There Are More Beautiful Things than Beyoncé Morgan Parker says that the poems in her book There Are Things More Beautiful than Beyonce take a stand against the clichés of the dominant culture.
UnFictional
The Other Man Stories of two men who meet by chance and emerge indelibly changed – or at least, one of them does.
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Previewing James Comey's blockbuster testimony Former FBI director James Comey testifies Thursday in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but his opening statement has been released. In it, he says he felt pressured by Donald Trump to declare loyalty to him and publicly clear him of any wrongdoing in the Russia investigation.