Neil Young's latest album revolves around eco-cars and the economy. But the singer-songwriter's past attempts at concept records have earned mixed reviews. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, Jim Farber of the New York Daily News and Carl Wilson of Toronto's Globe and Mail newspaper debate the new album, "Fork in the ...

Since its emergence in the late 60’s, jazz-rock fusion has been controversial. Jazz purists decry its use of rock styles, electronic instruments, and what they feel are its commercial pretensions. Yet fans consider it visionary and experimental. As fusion makes a comeback with new albums and tours (not to mention ...

Video games like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band" are sparking new life in the music world. But how does playing in a virtual band compare to the real thing? A real bassist, Jonathan Herrera of Bass Player magazine, and a not-so-real bassist, competitive "Rock Band" player and LAGtv host Steve ...

As Wagner's "Ring Cycle" arrives at the Metropolitan Opera this week critics contend that it's the ultimate in long, boring and bombastic music drama. But Wagner fans (or "Ringheads") argue that few composers pack in more thrilling songs, glorious orchestral passages, and big ideas -- and the rewards for the ...

Twitter first made a splash with music insiders at the 2007 South by Southwest Festival. Two years later, the social-networking tool is being used by musicians, fans and critics in ways that make blogs look outdated. But can anything musical really be summed up in 140 characters or less? In ...

Dust off your hacky sacks: On today’s Soundcheck Smackdown, we encroach on the religion of Phish-heads everywhere and debate the eclectic, free-form rock of jam bands like Phish, String Cheese Incident, and the Allman Brothers Band. Is jam band music ingeniously creative or tedious self-indulgence?

U2 is celebrating the release of its 12th studio album with five performances on "Late Show With David Letterman," an art installation in Los Angeles, and a world tour this summer. But as rock's premier band revs up its promotional engines, we dare to ask: Is "No Line on the ...

Beware, Joaquin Phoenix. Even if you're serious about starting a rap career, few movie stars who release albums enjoy critical and commercial success. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, we debate "actor albums" from William Shatner, Zooey Deschanel, Juliette Lewis, Kevin Bacon and many others. Joining us are GQ staff writer Alex ...

The singer-songwriter Morrissey has made an colorful career singing witty songs about heartache and his unrequited desire. The former leader of the 1980’s band The Smiths refuses to cheer up on his new solo album, “Years of Refusal.” Today: A Soundcheck Smackdown debate on Morrissey’s music and career. Guests include ...

Rolling Stone picked the 500 greatest albums of all time. Pitchfork culled the greatest 500 songs from the last 30 years. And a recent Blender magazine story offered “23 Reasons Why 2009 Will Not Suck.” Lists are a handy tool for music books and magazines, but do they undermine the ...

Kelly Clarkson has claimed to have broken up with the American Idol machine that spawned her - to the point of rebelling against mogul producer Clive Davis and titling her second album "Breakaway". On today's Soundcheck Smackdown, Ricardo Baca, pop music critic for the Denver Post, and Maura Johnston, editor ...

Today our Smackdown series enters dangerous territory with a debate over Bruce Springsteen, his new album, and his place in pop music. Phil Freeman of Metal Edge magazine and Lizzy Goodman of Blender magazine join us to spar over "Working on a Dream" and the legacy of the Boss.

It’s been 50 years since Berry Gordy secured the now-famous $800 family loan that he would use to create Motown Records, the world's then-largest black-owned corporation that transformed American pop music and race relations. The history of soul music also rests on the shoulders of Memphis-based label Stax Records, which ...

For years, children’s music was ruled by niche artists like Soupy Sales and Raffi. But these days, “big kid” acts like They Might Be Giants and former Del Fuegos member Dan Zanes are creating clever songs for kids and parents alike. It’s infectious stuff – sometimes too infectious. In another ...

Today, our Soundcheck Smackdown series dares to enter the annual battle over Christmas music. Joining us are Dr. Gerard J. Grzyb, seasonal music coordinator for the public radio station WRST-FM at the University of Wisconsin, and Nigel Rodgers, the president of Pipedown International.

A Soundcheck producer is responding ...

Everyone's a critic -- a music critic, in particular. Blogs and social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook serve some of the curatorial roles once held by music critics. Meanwhile, staff cuts at print media organizations have eliminated many music columnists and arts reporters. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, two guests ...

A Philadelphia-based blogger caused a minor controversy when he claimed he spotted President-elect Barack Obama -- an avowed iPod user -- using Microsoft's Zune MP3 player in a local gym. In another installment of our weekly Soundcheck Smackdown series, we debate the merits of the iPod and the Zune. Joining ...

Seventeen years. Thirteen million dollars. One Axl Rose. This week, the once-mythical Guns 'n' Roses album "Chinese Democracy" finally sees the light of day. But was it worth the wait? In another Soundcheck Smackdown, Lizzy Goodman of Blender magazine and rock writer Sean Manning ("Rock and Roll Cage Match") square ...

iTunes recently surpassed Wal-Mart as the top music retailer in the country, and it has made under-performing genres –- like classical and jazz –- sexy again. But the online music store's critics complain of poor sound quality and harsh copy protection. In another Soundcheck Smackdown, Blender magazine editor in chief ...

Wal-Mart was the top music seller in the country until recently. But the retail chain is still selling CDs at a steep discount and cutting exclusive deals with artists like AC/DC and the Eagles. In the second of a four-part Smackdown on music buying, we debate Wal-Mart's music power. We're ...