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Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews What Exit, the major label debut by violinist Mark Feldman. After touring with Loretta Lynn in the 1980s, Feldman moved to New York, where he got involved with jazz, open improvisation and contemporary classical music.

For an entire year, the multi-talented musician wrote one song a week. "Code Monkey" took off with the Web crowd. Now the songs are compiled in a set of four CDs which will be made available via the indie-music distribution network CD Baby.

Led by Megan Hickey and her '40s lap-steel guitar, the band addresses themes of heartbreak, joy and alienation. With a sweet, strong singing voice — she's been compared to Beth Orton, Gillian Welch and Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval — Hickey delves into personal material on Wire Waltz.

Even at its mellowest, Twilight Singers' music is driving and intense, with an emotional rawness that's only enhanced by Greg Dulli's unhinged vocals. Dulli remains well-known as the former singer and songwriter of Afghan Whigs.

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.