An ode to Nick Drake and London circa 1970.

The Flaming Lips' 13th studio album is different. It's one sustained mood, nine tracks of droning, unsettling noise, its lyrics full of death and violence and fear. And it kind of freaks them out.

As Mardi Gras recedes in the rear view mirror and April looms large, it's near impossible for a fan of American roots music not to ponder a pilgrimage to the Crescent City.

From Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel to "Forrest Gump" by Frank Ocean.

It's hard to pick and choose from these tales of wildness and woe -- there's just too much juiciness and care involved -- but the common denominator is Stanley Booth's identification with, friendship, appreciation and concern for the wellbeing of the musicians who create America's only indigenous art form.

Instead of sounding like cats and dogs in heat, Harris and Crowell now sound like two old friends who have traveled a long road.

Author of the Jim Morrison biography "No One Here Gets Out Alive," Jerry Hopkins reflects on the iconic rocker's controversial death, on playing "musical bicycle" with Frank Zappa, and of his fascination with cross-dressers.

How New York City tried to regulate bebop to death.

The insightful new book, "A History of Opera," inspires an exploration of select challenges facing opera -- and offers suggestions for how those issues might be addressed.

Thanks to some incredible box sets, some advances in digital technology and some assorted surprises from companies like Orange, there's still plenty out there to light up the faces of music lovers all over.

There are plenty of reasons to make an EP--whether it's to whet our appetites in between full-lengths, find a proper home for B-sides or serve as an introduction to an up-and-coming group before their official debut. Whatever the motivations were, these 10 Best EPs of 2012 prove that size doesn't always matter.

The bands, including the Walkmen and the Japandroids, that brightened the year.

A new book on Led Zeppelin's leader, Jimmy Page, sheds serious light on this poorly understood, enigmatic musical genius.

Has the Material Girl finally run out of material?

A proposed soundtrack for winning the gold or ending up last.

The songwriter, who is just wrapping up a long touring cycle behind Death Cab's latest, "Codes and Keys," is also set to release his own solo album, Former Lives, this fall.

Even when our most cherished acts get back together, we never expect much from the inevitable "new album." But a breakup or a disparaging hiatus can lead to something worthwhile.

Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All-Time includes few women. But there are plenty of women out there who have the chops to put most axe-wielding dudes to shame.

Hip Hop star Killer Mike has labored for almost a decade to deconstruct the divide between street concerns and political aims.

"Big Station" might be the best example of Escovedo returning to his roots. It's his third album working with both writing partner Chuck Prophet and producer Tony Visconti, and the combination has delivered a powerful collection of vivid songwriting and freewheeling spirit that showcases what Escovedo is perhaps most well-known for: his live perfor