Tune Up
The contemporary pop music world can sound mighty bland. Only a few of the musicians featured here are famous, but each has the potential to shake up the current scene.
Ted Gioia is the author of ten books on music and popular culture. His latest book is How to Listen to Jazz from Basic Books.
GOLDEN SLUMBERS
Tunes for the unconscious are a hot music trend. But how do you assess songs you sleep through?
Don’t Fret
A couple of decades ago, the guitar still ruled in rock and pop, but now it’s in eclipse. These 14 albums reveal how guitar music is reinventing itself in the new millennium.
OUT OF SIGHT
From Banksy to Daft Punk, innovators in the new millennium are increasingly hiding their identities behind aliases, masks, and avatars.
New Trove
61 years after jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker died, a new album of hitherto unheard recordings is being released, and yet no one will say where they came from.
Moldy Gold
Within ten years, dead musicians will generate more revenues than live ones. Not only is this creepy—it does a real disservice to living musicians who need an audience.
NO RETRO
Other artists in their seventies are going retro, but not Paul Simon, who sounds as creative as ever in his new album, ‘Stranger to Stranger.’
Reboot
The music is hot again, but it’s happening outside of the traditional jazz economy and some jazz musicians are scornful when they should be jumping for joy.
Enigma
Did any American popular vocalist of the 20th century possess so much talent, yet do so little with it?
Inhospitable
Twitter desperately needs an overhaul, lest it become the next MySpace and Friendster. It could start by becoming friendlier to artists, musicians, and writers.