Jason Isbell's solo debut, 2007's "Sirens of the Ditch," showed plenty of promise but seemed tentative, as if Isbell were still getting his bearings after leaving Drive-By Truckers that same year. ...more

March 13, 2009

The calm surface of Wild Sweet Orange's chamber folk-pop music is belied by its lyrics. ...more

September 12, 2008

Whenever he hears about budget cuts in music education, James Crumbly gets a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. ...more

August 13, 2008

Whenever he hears about budget cuts in music education, James Crumbly gets a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach. ...more

August 6, 2008

Playing bass for The Dave Matthews Band might seem like a great gig, what with the sold-out stadiums and hordes of adoring fans and what not. ...more

July 3, 2008

It was less than two years ago that John Legend won a Grammy for best new artist. Now the soul crooner is paving the way for new artists on his own label - including his kid brother. ...more

December 16, 2007

The same egomania that turns Kanye West boorish in public is part of what makes him one of hip hop's most fascinating artists. On 'Graduation,' his third album, his self-esteem comes out in clever, disarming rhymes; and it's tempered with some equally rampant self-doubt. ...more

September 21, 2007