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David Gahan is best known for his role as the lead singer in Depeche Mode. His soulful baritone voice and stylish delivery gave the band the kind of appeal a pack of synthesizers has difficulty achieving alone. Hear the now-solo musician in an interview and performance.

Norwegian musician Anja Garbarek's soft, sometimes haunting voice sings over programmed beats and beautifully orchestrated strings. Her sound is distinctively experimental, atmospheric pop that pushes creative boundaries while remaining accessible. Her new CD is Briefly Shaking.

As a fiercely independent and idiosyncratic singer/songwriter who plays the piano, Regina Spektor draws easy comparisons to Tori Amos. But her work feels less remote and more versatile, thanks to a singular songwriting voice that spans genres and personas with grace and apparent ease.

The strength of the 21-year-old Ohio native's voice isn't in its power; it lies in the haunting cool she conveys as she sings with emotional depth and reflective self-awareness. In "Our Hearts Are Wrong," she sounds vulnerable and strong at the same time.

Mighty Voices of Wonder's "I Thank the Lord" melds genres in raw, funky fashion. The opening drums hit with a jagged, ragged edge, and the shouts and hollers push the energy level higher, as the group testifies with a fervor that would impress James Brown or Jackie Wilson.

With a delicate voice reminiscent of Nanci Griffith's and a support crew featuring an impressive assortment of Austin-based musical talent, Idgy Vaughn straddles the line between contemporary folk-pop and traditional country, offering 10 subtly hued yet largely autobiographical stories.

Imbued with a catchy hook, irrepressible energy, and a freewheeling confidence, Magneta Lane's "Secrets Aren't So Bad" commands attention from the song's opening seconds. With a brassy voice that recalls Debbie Harry in Blondie's heyday, Lexi Valentine exudes boundless charisma.

Dora the Explorer has a new voice: Twelve-year-old Caitlin Sanchez has taken over the title role of Nickelodeon's bilingual animated adventure series. The Fairview, N.J., resident plays jazz piano and likes John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk.

Gonzalez's "Killing for Love" opens with the intimate sound of fingers caressing guitar strings. His voice never rises above a clear-eyed tone, but Gonzalez's buzzy finger-picking and Erik Bodin's thwacking conga drum combine to form a hypnotic, driven pulse.

For more than 20 years, Tian's basso voice has filled major American opera houses. As one of the few Chinese stars in opera, his life story has been as remarkable as his work. He spoke with Soundcheck host John Schaefer.

Nouvelle Vague may deny being a novelty act, but there's no arguing with the facts: The brainchild of Parisian producer Marc Collin and guitarist Olivier Libaux, the group performs Brazilian-steeped covers of new wave and punk songs, which are voiced by French singers in English.

Future Islands' sound is as texturally interesting as it is rhythmically accessible -- music designed for both heads and feet. The X factor on songs like "Walking Through That Door" comes courtesy of husky-voiced singer Sam Herring, whose pipes are as elusive in description as the rest of the band.

It's hard to listen to The Silver City, the new CD from Minnesota chamber-pop artist Jeremy Messersmith, without thinking of Sufjan Stevens. Both artists have similar voices and a love of richly orchestrated story songs. They also find inspiration in geography.

Critics have compared the singer's voice to Marvin Gaye's, and the parallels become even sharper upon closer inspection. His new album, a two-disc compilation called Love and War MasterPeace, tackles themes of inner-city violence, war, unemployment and love.

In a rare acoustic performance, the hip-hop group Atmosphere performs with just an acoustic guitar and two voices. Frontman Slug is a Minneapolis native with an inspiring message, especially on Atmosphere's new album, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That S--- Gold.

Sonya Kitchell is just 17, but her voice and lyrics are drawing comparisons to Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones. Rolling Stone says her music belies her age. Kitchell tells Howard Berkes how a young woman from Massachusetts "gets" the blues.

She's been the voice of Eva Peron and the ultimate stage mother. She's also a performer with very high standards. Broadway actor Patti LuPone's new memoir recounts the heartache of Broadway but says she always manages to get something good from the bad.

Sunday is Father's Day. For commentator Neil Morgan, the son of a white minister in North Carolina, the day brings back a powerful memory of his father's role in an emerging civil rights movement. Morgan is a commentator for member station KPBS and founder of Voice of SanDiego.org.

This year has seen a lot of "quirky" kids' music, wherein the sweet-voiced folkies of the past were replaced by growling rocker moms and clear, intimate harmonies. The quality was high this year, with albums rooted in reggae, electronica, folk and rock aimed at young ears.

Sam Phillips once referred to Howlin' Wolf's voice as "where the soul of man never dies." Phillips, who worked with dozens of great Memphis musicians, never changed his mind. Rock historian Ed Ward examines the evolution of Wolf's singular talent.