One of Australia's most popular and celebrated singer-songwriters enjoys touring America. Even if she isn't known on a first-name basis in this country like fellow Aussies who simply can go by Olivia, Kylie, Keith and Nicole.

With Yellowcard's release of the acoustic version of their critically-acclaimed album When You're Through Thinking, Say Yes last week, it only proved that Yellowcard is indeed back.

With the economy teetering on collapse with the new debt deal, music fans can prepare for the mournful times ahead by listening to the sad, evocative songs of Gillian Welch, whose sound is steeped in Depression-era bluegrass but updated for today's hard times.

John Hiatt's new album Dirty Jeans And Mudslide Hymns kicks off with a pretty universally themed song, "Damn This Town." It's true, no matter what town you grow up in, every kid can't wait to get out of it.

Women rule this week. Gillian Welch, ‪Beyoncé‬, and Dolly Parton dig for Americana, country, and pop gold, while Selena Gomez gives the tweens another dose of Disney. Poor American Idol David Cook doesn't have a fighting chance.

This week, we feature music from Elvis Costello, Ed Harcourt, Lou Reed, and Steely Dan among others.

Basically, The Other Side Of Zero -- the new album by Elizabeth & The Catapult -- is a commentary on the parallels of Elizabeth Ziman's New York City life and Leonard Cohen's inability to achieve Buddhist ideals.

The son of famed producer Glyn Johns, Ethan says he's always known he'd make his life in music. Fast forward to 2010, and it becomes clear that his passion for music has brought him a long way.

Nothing has given me more pleasure this year and this decade than music. It's my therapist, joy, shoulder, understanding and just about everything else that compliments the emotions.

This week's column features music by the B-52's, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nina Simone, Jeff Buckley, The Wallflowers and Pink Floyd.

Leonard's voice really has grown better over the years, Yeah Yeah's new album is 42 minutes of electronically retro-licious pop, and Sara Watkins is as a serious lyricist with a mission.