Rock

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews the music featured in Days of Thunder, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, and Dick Tracy. Whatever you may think of the movies, each soundtrack album has at least a few gems.

Chester Arthur Burnett didn't become a professional musician until he was 38, when he adopted the stage name Howlin' Wolf. Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the musician's move from the South to the North, and the development of his urban blues sound.

As the season comes to an end, Ken Tucker reviews some of his favorite new releases, including albums by The Time, Mariah Carey, The Allman Brothers, and Bonnie Raitt.

During the 1950s and '60s, record labels were subject to criminal investigations over their practice of paying radio stations for airplay of their songs. A new book by Fredric Dannen, about the way the payola system has re-emerged, is called Hit Men.

Ken Tucker reviews the former Stooges frontman's record Brick by Brick. He says Iggy Pop's solo career has been uneven, but this new effort is fitfully good.

Fresh Air producer Amy Salit interviews Yankovic, who now has eight parody albums under his belt. Before he writes his version of a song, he secures permission with the original artist -- which has given him the opportunity to meet several musicians he admires.

Rock critic Ken Tucker says critical darlings David Berwald and John Hiatt are striving for a commercial sound, but their new, dolorous albums fall flat. On the other hand, Steve Earle's The Hard Way -- the latter half at least -- delivers the goods.

Two of the band's members, Sterfane Mellino and Mathieu Canavese join Fresh Air to talk about the history of their group, and their new album, Mlah. The liner notes are entirely in French -- the band says the decision helps preserve their national identity abroad.

Part I of the Fresh Air interview. Stone's newest movie, about the rock band the Doors, will soon be in theaters. The director is a Vietnam War veteran who earned a Purple Heart; his was experiences informed his early movie, Platoon.

Several bands that emerged from the 1970s punk scene -- including Television, the Talking Heads, the Ramones, and Blondie -- got their start at the Manhattan nightclub. Rock historian Ed Ward tells its story.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews "Banned In the USA" by 2-Live Crew. Their previous album, As Nasty as They Wanna Be, was declared obscene, and they were later arrested for simply performing their music at a concert. Tucker doesn't find much merit in 2-Live Crew' often misogynistic songs, but he vigorously condemns the efforts to criminalize their music.

The band, comprising brothers Dorsey and Johnny, as well as guitarist Paul Burlison, were contemporaries of Elvis, and released several memorable records. But their music was constantly overshadowed by other artists. Rock historian Ed Ward has this profile.

Along with bandmate Stephen Stills -- and occasionally Neil Young -- Crosby and Nash have been writing and recording folk rock songs with distinctive, tight harmonies. Their career began in the 1960s, and has weathered addiction and personal conflict. Crosby, Stills & Nash have a new album called Live It Up.

Ken Tucker reviews the first solo album by the Electric Light Orchestra and Traveling Wilburys alum. Known for his past complex and often sterile music, Lynne has since adopted a looser, rougher style that's big on charm.

Rock musician Chrissie Hynde. She's the head of the rock band, "The Pretenders." The band's got a new album called "Packed!" It's on Sire/Warner Brothers.

Rock historian Ed Ward takes a look at censorship in rock and roll.

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews new albums by the bands Sonic Youth and John Doe.

Rock critic Greil Marcus. Dutton books has just issued a third revised edition of Marcus' 1975 classic analysis of rock and roll in America, "Mystery Train."

Rock historian Ed Ward profiles the Gee and End record labels. They were the first to produce vocal-group records for teenagers by groups like Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Cleftones, and Arlene Smith and the Chantels.

Rock and roll historian Ed Ward continues his look at the history of surf music. (We're talkin' Beach Boys, we're talkin' Jan and Dean, we're talkin' the MIGHTY CHANTAYS!!!!)