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Los Angeles spawned a ton of remarkable music in 2010, and no one knows L.A. better than NPR station KCRW. Music director and Morning Becomes Eclectic host Jason Bentley selects his cream of the SoCal crop.

With Bob Boilen away this week, NPR Music's resident electronic experts return with more favorite new and upcoming releases.

The young Cuban powerhouse draws on the power of Afro-Cuban traditions, the nimble athleticism of jazz, and catchy pop melodies.

Tame Impala's "Lucidity" is more about impact than innovation, but the music still stuns on contact. The track puts the band's best foot forward, with lead-guitar distortion so abrasive, it's like a burnt piece of meat loaf in a rusty frying pan.

Sarah Pekkanen's debut novel will be published in 2010, but it was a long time in the making. After finding that her life was not "best-seller material" — so much for "write what you know" — Pekkanen turned to the experts for help writing her first book of fiction.

In Blind Side, Michael Lewis traces how the humble offensive left tackle has evolved into football's pivotal position. The book also tells the story of a young man with the position's rare qualities — and his escape from poverty through football.

You know him for his rhinestones and hot pants, but Liberace was also an avid chef. A new cookbook collects Mr. Showmanship's favorite recipes, including Salamiami Bouquet, Flamboyant Flambe and Angel Bling Cake Pie.

Prepare your skull goblets: Bob Boilen gets a doomy, crusty earful of the metal bands at Maryland Deathfest.

Colossus marks a departure from the comparatively traditional pop-rock sound of RJD2's 2007 album The Third Hand. His pop influences surface on tracks such as "The Glow," but his textures are driven by kick and snare patterns that resemble the hip-hop of his earlier work. Watch RJD2 demonstrate the process of creating sample-based music, using one of his own songs.

Hear songs from the Brooklyn-based group's hotly anticipated new album, Veckatimest, in an in-studio session at WNYC, streamed live at NPR Music.

The music of much-adored rockers Of Montreal has taken many forms since the group's late 90's emergence. Their latest album, Skeletal Lamping, takes listeners along on lead singer Kevin Barnes' glam-funk transformation into his alter-ego, Georgie Fruit.

Earle discusses his new album Townes, a collection of songs written by his longtime friend and mentor, Townes Van Zandt. The album mixes traditional country sounds and experimental pieces.

With his blend of folk, blues and country, Jesse Winchester embodies the spirit of American music. Winchester celebrates Love Filling Station, his first album in a decade, with a visit to the World Cafe.

The 25th anniversary of the holiday special brings together keyboard players of all stripes. Harold Mabern, Kris Davis, Lynne Arriale and Cyrus Chestnut play seasonal favorites for solo piano.

We listen back to excerpts of interviews with and concerts by singer and guitarist Richard Thompson. A new box set collects more than 40 years of his work.

Former J. Geils Band singer Peter Wolf discusses his new album, Midnight Souvenirs, in an interview on World Cafe. The record features contributions by Shelby Lynne, Neko Case and Merle Haggard.

No longer a solo act, the singer-songwriter and his band The Pariah Dogs released God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise in 2010. In this archival recording, check out their old-school Americana on stage at WXPN in Philadelphia.

Randolph is a true master of the pedal steel guitar. Listen to his band run through blues, funk and gospel during a World Cafe Live show at WXPN in Philadelphia.

What does this song remind you of? All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen bets you'll never guess.

The Alt.Latino crew stops by Weekend Edition Sunday to talk about one of Latin music's most pervasive rhythms.