With Agony Street, the late Swedish multi-instrumentalist Klas Qvist created music that’s up-tempo, melodic, joyous and Sir James Paul McCartney infectious.

Five key tracks from Bruce Springsteen’s ‘The Rising,’ which arrived 20 years ago this week. Some are well-known, some less so, some weirdly controversial.

The advance single “Winner” is just another effortlessly pleasing soft-rock tune from the talented duo and ambassadors from 1979, Young Gun Silver Fox.

There is no trio like Gordon Grdina’s Nomad Trio, where the vast talents of Grdina, Matt Mitchell and Jim Black are pushed to their limits and the best of each comes forth as a result.

Keeping musicians on their toes always brings out the best jazz. That’s what Ben Goldberg sought out to accomplish with ‘Vol 2: Hard Science’ and he got just the results he was looking for.

‘In the USA: Live Recordings 1972-73′ collects more rare and unheard concert material from ex-Yes guitarist Peter Banks’ subsequent band Flash.

‘Spontaneous folk music’ accurately speaks to the unpretentious nature of the music that Eri Yamamoto, Chad Fowler, William Parker and Steve Hirsh made.

Those favoring something jazzy and a little out of the ordinary will find Tritone Asylum’s ‘The Hideaway Sessions’ a rewarding listen.

Released 55 years ago this week, the Yardbirds’ ‘Little Games’ showed a whole lot of imagination – despite their looming fate.

Don Breithaupt goes in depth on Monkey House’s ‘Remember the Audio,’ how the band has evolved over 30 years and the brilliance of guitarist Drew Zingg.