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A Toronto-based singer-songwriter with an international following, Ron Sexsmith has seen his songs covered by everyone from Rod Stewart to Nick Lowe. Though far from a household name, Sexsmith has won over countless famous musicians, including Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Elvis Costello.

Thomas Dolby arrived in the 1980s with his hit, "She Blinded Me with Science." He sets up new equipment and performs in NPR's Studio 4A, demonstrating how times have changed for electronic musicians.

Sloan's "I Understand" possesses all the earmarks of an instant light-rock classic. Starting with a sweet and wide-eyed electric piano, it throws itself headlong into a bopping thump as acoustic guitars undergird sugary, AM-radio-ready lines about the discoveries and promises of innocent, adolescent love.

Youthful angst, romantic insecurity and naive innocence pervade the music of Bay Area singer-songwriter Jason Quever, who disguises the weighty themes of songs like "Unavailable" in lush delicacy.

The Austin, Texas, band called Explosions in the Sky has spent eight years pursuing what might strike some as a tiny sub-speciality: alternative instrumental rock. The band has a new album called All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.

Singer/keyboardist Emily Haines has made a name for herself as leader of Canada's dancey new-wave outfit Metric. But her solo work, by contrast, reflects a different approach that recalls the warmth and intimacy of a '70s singer/songwriter record blended with jazzy, experimental pop.

Full-sized voices — voices more than willing to flaunt lung power and sheer loudness — are everywhere these days. A voice that can merge force with genuine feeling is another matter altogether, which is where Brandi Carlile, a relatively new talent from Seattle, comes in.

"The Notbirds" nicely sums up Hopewell's ability to craft arena-friendly, '70s-style psychedelic rock. The song offers a sweet ride of near-perfect guitar rifts and lazy, spaced-out rock, punctuated by aggressive bird noises.

The Icelandic composer pits the string orchestra against the computer in an epic struggle of man vs. machine. "Part II - IBM 1403 Printer" sounds barren at first, propelled by the glacial sound of radio frequencies. Then, a string orchestra flourishes and builds to a wall of sound.

Instrumental rock group Explosions in the Sky, electronic artist Eluvium and avant-garde noise-pop band The Paper Chase meet in the nation's capital for a night of music, recorded live from the 9:30 Club.