Album

Hip hop pays tribute to masters of the slow jam

Listening to the music Again

Doomed R&B singer's last great recordings

It's an odd time to evaluate Paul Simon's solo career in light of his successful 2004 reunion tour with Art Garfunkel. But maybe all that boomer nostalgia needs a little levity, and the sweep of his solo work proves Simon has never dwelled on the past. The Studio Recordings 1972-2000 is that rare bird—an attempt to collect an artist's entire oeuvre.

Clock-stopping, pulse-raising mega-pop

First new material in eight years from heartland rockers

"Downright disgusted and sick to the soul"of the music they were hearing out there, Hayseed Dixie cut 2001 debut A Hillbilly Tribute To AC/DC in two days, loaded on beer and bourbon. Now, from the (sadly) fictional valley of Deer Lick Holler, comes this: 12 Appalachian blasts through Kiss, Queen, Motörhead and more.

Atmospheric math-rock debut from Texan quartet

Twenty-ninth solo album from original Van Der Graaf generator

Songwriting duo who made up the important bit of Crowded House