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Keep the faith Love, death, religion, war: Arcade Fire explore such epic themes in so thrilling a fashion that critics, fans and their rock star peers find themselves united in wonder. In London and New York, Paul Morley discovers the secret of this special group's magic in their most intimate interview ever. Keep the faith (part two) |
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Spit, sweat and bleeding ears In the hands of a gaggle of ferocious new bands, British heavy metal is riding high. You might even call it hip, whispers Sarah Boden. |
Child's play
They sing about fruit salad, drive a big red car on stage and are the most popular band in the whole wide world for three-year-olds (and their parents, including Alex James and Jerry Seinfeld). Johnny Davis meets the Wiggles.
Goodbye Reg, Hello Elton
Elton John turns 60 this month - his previous identity as plain Reg Dwight long since forgotten. Never seen in print before, exclusive images taken by Val Wilmer mark the moment his transformation took place. By Paul Trynka.
Check out the exclusive photographs here
Flash forward
With all its uber-cool acts, Brazil could not be hotter. So where do the utterly daft Bonde Do Role fit in? Alex Bellos meets baile funk's oddball ambassadors.
The 50 greatest film soundtracks
From Psycho to Singing in the Rain, Slade in Flame to Shaft, our star-studded panel of big screen connoisseurs select the greatest soundtracks in cinema's history ...
Jason Solomons and Caspar Llewellyn Smith discuss what made the best ever soundtracks list in our podcast.
Pre-teen kicks
You can't move for bands re-forming. But a childhood crush is not reason enough to love any of them now, says Miranda Sawyer.
Why nu-folk is real gone with the twindies
Paul Morley detects a tweeness that has been building up strange strength for years.
Flashback: 18 March 1977
The Clash release their first single. Caroline Coon recalls how one of her photographs ended up on the cover.
Elijah Wood
Can he who bore the One Ring to Mount Doom not like the Arcade Fire? Apparently so. But he's an anorak about everything else, learns Paul Mardles.
Hot tunes
All the best from Yorkshire (twice), Lancashire (and Detroit), Dumfries and Canada.
The passion of the Chris
Nothing can dent the sensitive rockers' reputation in Argentina. Not even a dearth of new songs, learns Daniel Neilson.
Soundtrack of my life: Bryan Ferry
The singer and style icon tells Will Hodgkinson that he listens to only one modern band - and that soul and Cary Grant were as important to him as Dylan.
Letters & emails
Letter of the month | Shoot the messenger | Lost boys | Dream on | Come together | Fruit of the loon
The blog
Caspar Llewellyn Smith on the dreaded 'album playback'.
A postcard from ...
... Austin, Texas
Don't get even ... get mad
We trawl the web for clips on a musical theme. This month: pop stars throwing tantrums.
Barometer
Uppers and downers
