Every new Eels record is like checking in on Mark Oliver Everett. How's he doing? Is he in love? Has someone close to him died? Has he gotten another cat?

The band that used to sound free flowing and lo-fi now has an orchestrated feel with broader instrumentation and tighter playing.

This record could be called "Arena Rock Lullabies for grown ups." I know how crazy it sounds. But it fits. The Joy Formidable have artfully woven a symphonic patchwork made up of delicate and dreamy moments joined with screaming guitars and cacophonous percussion.

Yo La Tengo's 13th album is centered on the relationship of Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, who've been married for the band's nearly 30-year history.

Muse's latest album is a testament to high production values in an era when anyone can record an album.

Sometimes avant-garde appeal surpasses commercial appeal. Alt-J fit that niche at exactly the right moment.

In 2012, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis bridged the gap between underground indie hip-hop fans and the daytime TV audience of The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

It's nice to have a few new attempts at well-worn Christmas tunes by current artists.

Without the pressures of his "real band," you can hear the burdens melt off Gibbard's songwriting, much like Jeff Tweedy has done with his non-Wilco projects.

A new compilation traces the history of electric blues from its rocky start through its heyday.