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John M. Coski is author of The Confederate Battle Flag: America's Most Embattled Emblem. The book looks at the flag's history and the various meanings attached to it. Some people view it as a symbol of white supremacy and racial injustice; others think it represents a rich Southern heritage. Coski is historian and library director at the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Va.

While Harry Potter has grown to become a huge a marketing event, the book series is still, at its heart, a literary event. Critic-at-large John Powers considers kids today lucky to have that experience. He compares it to his experiences purchasing and reading the Hardy Boys mysteries as a child.

He's the world's first Hasidic Jewish reggae star. His rap and beat-box skills can be heard on his truly unique album, Live At Stubb's.

After singing back-up for Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis, The Watson Twins' members step into the spotlight with Fire Songs, a knock-out debut that showcases their seamless vocals. Hear the Kentucky natives in this World Cafe session with host David Dye.

Blue-eyed soul virtuoso Eli "Paperboy" Reed may have grown up in Massachusetts, but he conveys the heart-wrenching emotion of Southern predecessors such as Wilson Pickett and Otis Redding. Hear an interview and performance from WXPN.

British sensation Keane has built a worldwide audience for its infectious piano-rock hits. The band's new record, Perfect Symmetry, rounds out a trio of acclaimed releases, while revealing a departure from the group's characteristic sound with the introduction of synthesizers and electric guitar.

Rock-music veterans whose careers span more than 25 years, The Smithereens' members combine the sounds of Buddy Holly and The Beatles with shades of metal and prog-rock. This year brings Meet the Smithereens!, an album covering Meet the Beatles in its entirety.

Though still only 20, English singer-songwriter Kate Nash has already topped numerous European pop charts and attracted massive buzz in the U.S. Her debut album, Made of Bricks, is full of sweetly infectious pop music, propelled by Nash's thick accent and effervescent personality.

For the first time in her 20-year career, singer-songwriter Sam Phillips goes it alone on the curiously titled Don't Do Anything. Phillips performs songs from her album with violinist and guitarist Erik Gorfain in a session on World Cafe.

Gomez's music constantly evolves, combining hefty rock beats and pop choruses with hints of country, folk and blues. They've lent their tracks to television programs such as Grey's Anatomy and House, and now gear up to promote their newest album, A New Tide.