Nothin' But a Good Time

Over a long July weekend, Poison, Twisted Sister, Ratt, and dozens of other spandex-lovin' bands descended on a muddy Oklahoma field for hair metal's very own Woodstock. Lock

They Might Be Giants, 'The Else' (Idlewild/Zoë/ Universal)

Iconic Brooklyn indie geeks go for catchiness over kookiness.

Maybe it's because this duo have funneled all their unconventional ideas into children's music lately, but the Giants' 12th album (produced by the Dust Brothers) is their most straightforward yet.

Microphone Fiends

Sushi, the Black Eyed Peas, and parrots on bicycles. It's all in a boozy night of competitive karaoke with the New Pornographers, the polite pop savants who turn ruthless and cutthroat -- especially if you call them the other N-word.

The karaoke gods are not smiling on Carl Newman.

Rocklahoma Revisited

John and Adam, two Long Island rockers, journeyed to hair metal's mecca, the Rocklahoma festival, and became instant celebs. This is their story.

Bowerbirds, 'Hymns for a Dark Horse' (Burly Time)

Energetic young folkies go off to brood in the boondocks.

Though he insists that "there is hate all around" ("Human Hands"), it's difficult to imagine lead Bowerbird Phil Moore getting miffed about it.

Alamo Race Track, 'Black Cat John Brown' (Minty Fresh)

Grey's Anatomy pop rockers more wary than weighty.

Not a Nascar venue, but a polite Dutch rock band, Alamo Race Track bring a self-conscious detachment to their multicolored, carefully constructed, pop-leaning tunes.

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