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With quirky melodies and a uniquely clever songwriting style, Sparks has remained one of the most innovative art-pop bands of the past three decades. While never gaining much more than a cult following, Sparks' peculiar brand of pop smarts has influenced everything from '80s synth-pop to Queen.

The music of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero attempts to reconcile their love of heavy metal music with their traditional style of Mexican guitar playing. Their self-titled debut combines Sanchez's intricate fingerpicking with Quintero's smooth melodic style — and works wonderfully.

One of the few bands to improve with every album, Centro-Matic makes room-filling country-pop that's been winning converts for more than a decade. In "Patience for the Ride," Will Johnson's gravelly, intimate voice sounds warm and inviting — a perfect complement to the fuzzy classic-rock guitars.

The unmistakable voice of Roberta Flack has been part of the American soundtrack since the 1960s.

Already the subject of considerable overseas hype, Gnarls Barkley finds DJ/producer Danger Mouse collaborating with Cee-Lo, co-founder of the Atlanta hip-hop collective Goodie Mob. The duo's debut single, "Crazy," is music for an integrated world.

The product of Swedish multi-instrumentalist Emil Svanangen, Loney, Dear recorded its debut CD mostly in his parents' basement and a tiny studio apartment. But in spite of its modest origins, the disc is an immensely satisfying collection of light, lush pop songs with warm electronic cores.

Driven by singer Glen Hansard's charismatic persona, The Frames have become one of the best live bands working today. Blending atmospheric ballads with rousing rock songs, The Cost finds The Frames' legend continues to grow after more than 15 years in the business.

Snow Patrol's newest release, 2006's Eyes Open, is the band's most cohesive and accessible statement yet. Beautiful and epic, it spawned a popular single in "Chasing Cars," which cemented Snow Patrol's status as a go-to band for romantic movie soundtracks.

If it's possible for a classically trained wind quintet to rock the house, Imani Winds blows the roof off. The five musicians came together 10 years ago with a common goal: To show young people of color there's a place for them in all of the arts. Imani Winds' Josephine Baker: A Life Of Le Jazz Hot! is a CD of original music inspired by Baker's life.

Any history of rock 'n' roll is sure to acknowledge the influence of piano master Jerry Lee Lewis, who popularized his own brand of rock.