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The news that Bob Dylan was making a Christmas album came as a surprise. Now that Christmas In The Heart has been released, with the announcement that all profits will go to charity, it's caused even more consternation, with commentators divided as to whether it's an earnest effort or one big put-down. Rock critic Ken Tucker offers his opinion.

NPR Music's Song of the Day features a new track every weekday, with analysis of the music, links to each artist's Web site and, of course, a chance to hear the song itself. Here, Song of the Day editor Stephen Thompson talks about recent selections by Laurent Korcia, Tim Buckley and Smokey Robinson.

Akron, Ohio, came together to mourn Jayland Walker, who was shot by police. As residents paid respects at his memorial service, community organizations called for police reform and accountability.

Dobie Gray, in his hit "The In Crowd," famously said, "The original is still the greatest." But is it? Ace Records in London has put out a CD called You Heard It Here First!, with 26 original versions of hit songs. Rock historian Ed Ward takes a look.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Sisters of Life's Sister Bethany Madonna and Mike Phelan of the Office of Marriage and Respect Life about the church's work with people carrying unexpected pregnancies.

Kerry Hays, known as "Peebs" on Twitch, has archived copies of every Super Nintendo game manual in the English language, and made the collection available to the public.

The Oklahoma-based rockers have been steadily mining new sonic territory for over a quarter-century — a trend that continues on their new album. Front man Wayne Coyne discusses the release, plus a very naked music video and a forthcoming homage to Pink Floyd.

The jazz composer Carla Bley doesn't celebrate Christmas, and left the church behind as a teenager. But you wouldn't know it from her new album, which sets her favorite Christmas carols — traditional and original — to her edgy writing style.

Norah Jones became an immediate star after the release of her 2002 album Come Away With Me. Having sold more than 36 million records, Jones decided to move in a different direction with her new fourth album, titled The Fall. Rock critic Ken Tucker says it's an improvement over her last two.

McKay's songs lean on influences like vaudeville and hip-hop, and they display a sharp wit: Her debut album was called Get Away From Me. McKay has a new album of songs originally recorded by Doris Day, titled Normal as Blueberry Pie.