Led Zeppelin Audio

On the new web site CassetteFromMyEx.com, essayists dig up mixtapes from old flames and revisit love -- and a recording format -- from a different era. We're joined by the site's creator, Jason Bitner, and one of its contributors, the novelist Fiona Maazel ("Last Last Chance"). Our blog: John Schaefer reminisces about the era of mixtapes Weigh in : Do you have a story about a cassette mixtape from an ex-sweetheart? And, how do CDs and iPods stack up against the cassette mixtape?

In an age when famous rock groups can charge $100 or more for a concert ticket, their tribute band imitators offer an accessible outlet for hardcore fans. In his aptly-titled book Like A Rolling Stone: The Strange Life of A Tribute Band, New York Times reporter Steven Kurutz chronicles one of the most-established acts, Sticky Fingers. He joins us to talk about the ongoing popularity of bands like Lez Zeppelin, Van Heineken, and Mini Kiss. Also joining us is Kevin Gleason , from the Stony Rollers, a Rolling Stones tribute band; and Lesley Wolf , a bassist with Slayer tribute group Slaywhore. Weigh in : Do you attend tribute band concerts? Are you in a tribute band? Tell us why you do or don't like them. 
 
 Our blog : John Schaefer offers his ambivalent view of the tribute band phenomenon

Mario Batali says it's easy to make delicious Italian food on a home grill! His new cookbook is Italian Grill ; his recipes include Fennel with Sambuca and Grapefruit, Guinea Hen Breasts with Rosemary and Pesto, and Baby Octopus with Gigante Beans and Olive-Orange Vinaigrette. Weigh in: Tell us your favorite summer grilling recipes!

Rock radio is in tough shape. Once a playground for local programmers, stations are now virtually indistinguishable from one market to the next. Blame for the situation is often laid at the feet of media conglomerate Clear Channel. Alec Foege , author of a book about the company, Right of the Dial, explains how Clear Channel kept a vise grip on the format – with the help of some willing partners. Our blog : John Schaefer on Clear Channel

From rock star Robert Plant to movie star Brad Pitt to New Mexico governor Bill Richardson to every other indie-rocker around, men are really into facial hair these days. Joining us to unveil the popularity of this trend are Carolyn Sayre of Time Magazine, Zac Holtzman , guitarist of the band Dengue Fever, and Rob Waller , lead vocalist and guitarist of the country band I See Hawks In LA. Slideshow: Beards Our blog : Find out if John Schaefer has ever had a beard ... and what he thinks of them. Tell us Are beards too fashionable? What does one say about a musician?

What happens when you get over a thousand young people in the middle of Union Square dancing to their own individual iPods? A silent rave, of course. 18 year-old exchange student Jonnie Wesson organized the event last Friday evening. Did you participate in the rave? Did you stumble across it? Comment below!

Some people love the Dave Matthews Band and 50 Cent. Others would never dream of listening to "Frat Boy Music" or "Thug Music". Today we look at how identity shapes our music -- and vice versa. We're joined by two guests: Carl Wilson , writer and editor at The Globe and Mail and author of "Let's Talk About Love: A Journey to the End of Taste," and Princeton philosophy professor Anthony Kwame Appiah , author of the book "The Ethics of Identity." Our blog : Read John Schaefer's take on music and identity Tell us : How have you used music to express your identity -- or escape from it?

Soundcheck Smackdown: Mariah Carey – Bimbo or Brilliant? The pop star just surpassed Elvis Presley for most singles on the top of the charts and is releasing today her new album “E=MC²”. Pop music critic Jody Rosen and freelance writer Evelyn McDonnell square off to debate Mariah’s singing style and her power in pop music. Tell us what you think : Mariah Carey: Bimbo or Brilliant?

Some of the greatest jazz groups have lousy names. No wonder all the “quartets” and “quintets” seem alike. Today, we examine how to fix jazz’s image problem with Will Layman , a jazz critic who writes for Pop Matters, NPR and other publications; and Anne Mette Iversen , a composer and bassist who leads the Anne Mette Iversen Quartet.

Soundcheck Smackdown : Music critic and author Michael Azerrad claims R.E.M.'s fourteenth album, "Accelerate," is their hardest-rocking ever. Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis is not convinced. In the first of a new weekly series of musical debates we have both on to discuss the return of one of the most dynamic bands in rock history. And we talk to R.E.M.’s guitarist Peter Buck. Tell us : What do you think of the new R.E.M. album? Are you ready for a "comeback?"