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Spurred by a string of bad news in his personal life, novelist Mikel Jollett turned to writing songs instead of prose for relief. Within months, The Airborne Toxic Event was born. The L.A. band shakes up standard rock with a viola and trumpet in this session from WXPN.

Recently separated from his breakthrough blues band Back Door Slam, Knowles has carried on with a new lineup, rechristening his group Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam. Their first release, Coming Up for Air, was produced by Peter Frampton and features the World Cafe favorite "Taste of Danger," a duet with Jonatha Brooke.

Los Amigos Invisibles' members are true originals. For nearly 20 years, the Venezuelan sextet has been combining elements of funk, disco and jazz with Latin sounds to create a unique and groovy sound. In a session from WXPN, the band performs material from its new album, Commercial.

The Strawbs' members are survivors. Enduring for more than 40 years, their brand of rock has defied categorization, creating a virtual timeline of pop music. In a session from WXPN, the band goes through its long history and performs two songs.

John Doe of X and the Canadian roots-rock band The Sadies have released a new album, Country Club. Doe's leathery voice feels right at home with hits made famous by Johnny Cash and Tammy Wynette, while traditional honky-tonk gets an infusion of The Sadies' '60s-style pop.

Listening to Boston's Passion Pit is a lot like going out dancing; it's easy to get caught up in the music and lose yourself. But the group has more to offer than just catchy hooks. Its brand of shiny electro-pop combines bright, danceable aesthetics with emotionally charged lyrics. Hear the band in session on World Cafe.

The band's music is generally classified as indie-rock, but its songs incorporate old and new elements of punk, hip-hop, techno and pop. The recent The Return to Cookie Mountain stands as one of 2006's most enthusiastically reviewed albums.

On the group's third album, Made in the Dark, Hot Chip adds distortion to the mix. Exploding with background synths, soul influences, and Alexis Taylor's airy vocals, the band moves into ballad territory more than before. Hear an interview and performance from WXPN.

While her band Rilo Kiley is known for its downbeat indie-rock sound, Jenny Lewis finds her foundation in country coming to the fore on her sophomore solo effort, Acid Tongue. Though she recorded the album in just three weeks, Lewis infuses her voice with a hint of jazzy soul without losing her grip on her country-rock roots.

This year, NPR Music published 84 sessions from behind Bob Boilen's desk. From a 23-piece band to a lone guitarist to a massive dance party, here are 15 highlights.