James Kaplan

Concept Albums. They’re the pop-music equivalent of the novel. But, sometimes … novels can be really, really boring. On today’s Soundcheck Smackdown, music critic Amanda Petrusich and Steven Wilson of the prog-rock band Porcupine Tree debate whether the concept album is ingenious…or just indulgent. Plus, journalist and biographer James Kaplan tells us about the concept album’s surprising history.

Frank Sinatra was a definitive entertainer of the 20th century, ushering in the era of the solo singer, with no shortage of drama. A new biography, Frank: The Voice, chronicles the often-turbulent details behind the life of "Ol’ Blue Eyes," from his humble Hoboken days spent singing for quarters in his family's bar to the rebirth of his career as an Oscar-winning actor. We speak with author James Kaplan. This is a repeat edition of Soundcheck.

Frank Sinatra was a definitive entertainer of the 20th century, ushering in the era of the solo singer, with no shortage of drama. A new biography, "Frank: The Voice," chronicles the often turbulent details behind the life of “Ol’ Blue Eyes”, from his humble Hoboken days spent singing for quarters in his family’s bar to the rebirth of his career as an Oscar-winning actor. We speak with the author James Kaplan.

New Jersey is the Garden State, but it's also known for its highways and chemical plants. Young writers from New Jersey make sense of their home state's mixed reputation in a new collection called Living on the Edge of the World: New Jersey Writers Take On the Garden State. Contributors ...