The grown-up anthems of Arcade Fire. Read more...

The boundary-eroding music of M.I.A. mashes the personal and the political with toughness, wit, and beats. Read more...

Before Bob Marley was a visionary and culture hero, he was a musician.

Robert Christgau on the enduring power of Louis Armstrong's horn -- and voice.

Why Lil Wayne resides in a musical universe all his own. Read more...

Vampire Weekend’s second outing is no sophomore slump. Read more...

After twelve months of listening, the songs that beg to be heard again. Read more...

Fourscore (plus three) records worth remembering from a year's devoted listening. Read more...

Robin D.G. Kelley's new biography of Thelonious Monk inspires a reflection on a musician and composer whose gifts keep on giving.

A country star finds his voice. Read more...

The creator of Mr. Natural and Fritz the Cat takes on...the Creation.

The indie-rock bohemias of Toronto, New York, and Chapel Hill -- chronicled by the participants. Read more...

Considering Leonard Cohen's place in the Tower of Song. Read more...

Politics and transcendence in the art of the Congolese soukous. Read more...

Unearthing the buried pleasures of Serengeti's satirical creations. Read more...

Craig Finn's bar-band-made-big holds steady to its singalong roots. Read more...

Two collections offer new perspectives on the fine art of the cover tune.

The lure of nostalgia isn't the only thing that makes writing about baseball so tough. Read more...

The brash singer's sophmore effort revels in wit over drama. Read more...

Does it take a Village to make a Bohemia? Read more...

The Dean of Rock Critics dives into the pages of 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. Read more...