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Dave Smith, a pioneer of the synthesizer, revolutionized pop music in the 1980s. David Bowie and Madonna are among the legions who used his Prophet 5 synthesizer. Smith died last week at age 72.

Played on three string instruments, this music was the country's soundtrack from the turn of the 20th century to the 1940s.

Despite its success in Australia, You Am I has never made a dent in the U.S. But its new Convicts seems to suggest that other issues besides a failure to break through may explain the four-year delay since the band's last album, 2003's Deliverance.

The critically acclaimed rock group Band of Horses has roots in South Carolina. But the band formed, made its name and recorded its first CD in Seattle. Now its members are back in the Palmetto State, and back with a new album called Cease to Begin.

In Sons and Daughters' "The Nest," Adele Bethel puts her Scottish accent to good use against a detailed backdrop. She sneers her way through a tale of adolescent disappointment with such a barbed tongue that it takes on the dread of gothic horror.

One of the most controversial and acclaimed singers of the last 20 years, O'Connor continues to deny convention and expectations. Hear an interview and in-studio performance by the fiercely uncompromising singer-songwriter.

Citing Bob Dylan and Neil Young as influences, the 26-year-old Irish singer is a master of simple folk songs that focus on his gentle voice and guitar. Regan was raised in a family of musicians, who instilled in him a love of early folk and blues that continues to pervade his music.

The soulful singer-songwriter talks about her new album, The Orchard, during a studio performance chat. Wright opens up about her music, her life, and what's next for her recording career.

People across the globe are turning to social media to connect with each other in new ways. Clay Shirky shows how our increasingly interconnected world is transforming news and politics as well as our roles as citizens.

The trio has always had grand ambition, dissolving and rebuilding the darker sounds of ambient, noise and metal. Locrian could easily score a Werner Herzog film with this rhythmic, proggy new track.

Sylvan Esso's Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn break down the components of their electro-folk sound and share songs by some of the other artists who've inspired them.

The lure of the open road was too much to resist this week, so Alt.Latino turns the volume up on a collection that includes Central American heavy metal, Cuban guitar jazz and Brazilian DJs.

Hear five pioneering examples of women who composed for and directed their own groups.

NPR listeners cast thousands of votes for the year's best music and regardless of how the votes fell, it was an exciting chance to pause and look back on what an incredible year it's been for music.

A guide to some of the most beautiful, thought-provoking and inspiring releases from the year gone by — from luminous choral singing to thunderous percussion to smart violin solos.

On this week's show, host Bob Boilen shares his latest, game-changing idea. It's called "The Sole Of A Band" and involves matching photos of footwear with a band's song.

Jeff Beck's new album — available here in its entirety until its release on April 13 — is a collection of songs that suit his adventurous style, with some cushioned by a symphony orchestra and another featuring the young soul singer Joss Stone.

On this edition of All Songs Considered, we've got special sneak previews of some of the most anticipated albums of the coming months.

A farm tractor pulling a wagon loaded with people overturned and fell into a pond in northern India, killing 26 people, most of them women and children, officials said Sunday.

Preview some of the artists playing the Montreal International Jazz Festival, a musical grand prix.