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Though it's titled Grrr..., there's nothing threatening about the third album from the Brooklyn pop-rock band Bishop Allen. Its peppy melodies are framed by sing-along vocals, quirky approaches to wordplay, a solid rock foundation and lyrics about the reliable yet relatable subject of trying to grow up.

When you think about Celtic music, piercing tin whistles, mournful violins and galloping bodhran drums generally come to mind. But in the last few decades, many bands have melded Celtic folk music with punk-rock energy. Hear a five-song sampler.

Army Navy's "Unresponsive Ears" starts out sweet and subtle before dissolving into a tsunami of melody and distortion. In the process, it underscores the youthful essence of power-pop in all its bittersweet glory.

With a gentle acoustic style and evocative lyrics, up-and-coming folksinger Alela Diane has developed a devoted following. The Nevada City native's latest album, To Be Still, blends Americana and psychedelic folk with finger-picked guitar and clear, evocative vocals.

The Platinum Pied Pipers, or Triple P, aims to bring new sounds to soul music. The group's front man Robert O'Bryant, also known as Waajeed, talks about their latest album, Abundance.

Joss Whedon's new television show, Dollhouse, follows a group of young women and men who have volunteered to have their personalities and memories erased.

The comedian, actor and author Steve Martin looks back on his life as a stand-up comic and talks about how he put some distance between himself and the person he used to be.

It was an unusually strong year for great unknown artists. While bigger, more established bands continued to attract the most attention, smaller, lesser-known acts made the most memorable music of 2008. All of the great unknown artists featured here made music that was inspired, original and heartfelt.

The year in television started with a bust — or to be more precise, a writer's strike — but Fresh Air's TV critic says there were plenty of TiVo-worthy programs in 2008. Prominent among them: AMC's Mad Men.

This is a list for the Age of the iPod Shuffle, as more people listen to more types of music than ever before. WNYC's John Schaefer mixes up his favorite CD picks for 2008, offering a wide-reaching smorgasbord of classical, pop, folk and world music.