Saharan musical traditions ancient and modern, in a region riven by conflict.

A pair of courageous new memoirs from married music makers.

From Channel Orange to a Syrian wedding party.

A year's worth of essential listening.

Das Racist may be gone, but they shouldn't be forgotten soon.

In Michael Chabon's new novel, a record store in a troubled bohemia proves a setting as fantastic as any in the author's recent work.

A new study grapples with the long, complex legacy of blackface minstrelsy in performance.

Fiona Apple can be hard to like. Love is a different matter.

Before the era of the phonograph and radio, Americans were opening their ears.

"Outlaw country" singer-songwriter Todd Snider's storytelling talent is its own religion.

How a pair of best friends from Cincinnati are leading the best band in America.

Etta James's voice was a great beauty -- but she never forgot how to play rough.

Robert Christgau's annual rundown of the year's best in pop music.

Looking ahead sometimes means looking back.

Can a wordsmith read his way to comprehension of the global financial mess?