Kara DioGuardi is American Idol's new judge. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
Music
Tinkering with American Idol
Will adding a fourth judge revitalize the show, or ruin it?
Madonna vs. McCain
Who was hurt most by Madonna's video flashing McCain's image next to Hitler's?
Madonna's midlife tour
At 50, can the Queen of Pop still rock?
Why Malaysia might ban Avril Lavigne
Is the pop singer too risqué for Malaysian audiences?
Can Britney Spears rise again?
Spears is nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards this year.
Conor Oberst
Conor Oberst's new album shows that he is on his way to becoming a “songwriter for the ages,” said Josh Modell in Spin.
Randy Newman
In Harps and Angels Randy Newman is still the sharp-tongued songwriter who hides biting satire under an inviting melody.
Brazilian Girls
In their new album New York City, the Brazilian Girls mix styles and change locales, but the result is always “fizzy, smart music for a certain kind of Manhattan party girl,” said Margaret Wappler in the Los Angeles Times.
Gustavo Dudamel
In Fiesta, Gustavo Dudamel and his "wonder band," the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, celebrate Latin American music. The album was recorded during a live performance in Caracas.
Tallan Latz: Can an 8-year-old play the blues?
How important is life experience for a blues musician?
Battle of the playlists: Obama vs. McCain
What does the presidential candidate's musical tastes say about them?
Why ‘Rolling Stone’ is shrinking
Is the 41-year-old music magazine trying to survive, or selling out?
Remembering Isaac Hayes
Legendary soul singer Isaac Hayes died on Sunday at age 65.
Paul Weller
In 22 Dreams Peter Weller has experimented with a variety of musical sounds and the album is one of his "most adventurous" in years.
