Chili Peppers bassist Flea talks about his recent high-speed crash – and why the band are excited about their new phase without producer Rick Rubin. Plus: Country hope Brandy Clark, indie rocker Mitski, and bands that started out with terrible names.

In this episode, we swallow our pride and take a hard look at underwhelming – and sometimes downright mean –Rolling Stone reviews of albums that are now acknowledged classic, from Led Zeppelin I to Weezer's "Pinkerton." Also: new music from Beck

David Fear, Rob Sheffield and Nathan Brackett delve into Lonely Island’s new Bieber send-up, “Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” and ask the bigger question: Why are the best movies about music so often mockumentaries? Plus: Car Seat Headrest, Phish

How much would you pay for a photo with Drake? Okay, now what if he throws in a goodie bag with a special “6 God” air freshener? We take a tour of the most absurd concert VIP packages available this summer, from Guns N’ Roses to Nick Jonas.

Paul Simon is still restless after all these years, as he proves on his excellent new album “Stranger to Stranger”; he talks to Rolling Stone’s Andy Greene. Plus: the rise of feel-good Chicago MC Chance the Rapper.

Radiohead have been one of rock’s most exciting bands for decades, but many fans had mixed feelings about 2011’s The King of Limbs. Is their new album, A Moon Shaped Pool, a return to form? Plus: Writer Mark Binelli on Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Why do you like what you like? And what does that mean? Host Nathan Brackett talks to author Tom Vanderbilt about the real roots of music taste. Plus: Inside the new Beyonce and Drake albums, and Pearl Jam’s new tour.

Many pop stars have causes - but when are they really able to make a difference? RS editors run down the most successful examples of rock activism, from the No Nukes concert to Bruce Springsteen's North Carolina boycott. Plus: D.R.A.M., Cate Le Bon

In this special, all-Prince episode, a writer remembers his 2014 daylong visit at Paisley Park for an aborted Rolling Stone cover story, and critics go deep into their favorite Prince songs

Punk’s not dead! For the 40th anniversary of the Ramones’ first album, we took a crack at naming the greatest punk records of all time, from “Never Mind the Bollocks” to Bikini Kill. Plus: new Paul Simon and Schoolboy Q

Inside the epic life and music of Merle Haggard, the only outlaw-country superstar who actually spent time in prison and rode the rails. Plus: Drake; Bleached; and readers react to our 100 Greatest Drummers list.

Senior writer David Fricke talks about Iggy Pop’s new album with Josh Homme– and why it might be the Stooges great’s last. Plus: The National unleash their secret Grateful Dead obsession, and new music from Sturgill Simpson

What happens when a big rock band loses its head? We look at the best and worst case scenarios, from AC/DC to Stone Temple Pilots. Also: new music from Arctic Monkey Alex Turner’s side project, Last Shadow Puppets, and Zayn.

Can Axl Rose and Slash pull off the rock reunion of the year? A deep dive into the monster band’s ups and downs; plus: new music from Andrew Bird and Fiona Apple; and what did Beatles producer George Martin actually do?

Bob Dylan just dropped a magical treasure trove of music, film and writings onto the world; Rob Sheffield and Andy Greene delve deep into the heart of this Dylanologists’ dream. Plus: has Kendrick Lamar brought back jazz?

HBO's "Vinyl” aims to capture the wild energy of the music biz in the 1970s. So what does it get right about rock and roll, and what does it gets wrong? Plus: The 40 greatest emo albums; Car Seat Headrest; and Parquet Courts

Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo talks about the unusual places he looked for inspiration for Weezer’s upcoming “White Album” – among them, the beach, and … Tinder! Plus: FKA Twigs’ new song; lost Elliott Smith tracks; and DIIV.

Rolling Stone writers and editors talk Kanye West’s pained, fragmented new album “The Life of Pablo” Plus: Aussie rocker Courtney Barnett makes ramen cool; and one very-outnumbered writer mounts a passionate, lonely defense of the compact disc.

"Almost Famous" director Cameron Crowe talks about covering Frey and the Eagles as a teenage correspondent for Rolling Stone in the 1970s. Plus: Beyoncé's "Formation"; Sunflower Bean; and does the gold record still count?

Is Hillary Clinton really a Lana Del Rey fan? And why does Ben Carson like "MacArthur Park" so much? RS editors and writers delve deep into the candidates' music tastes. Plus: Inside the Grammys, and Vampire Weekend's Rostam

The inside story behind Bowie's remarkable comeback in his final years, featuring an interview with Bowie's longtime producer Tony Visconti. Also: Beck, Mick Jagger and Nile Rodgers remember Bowie; Rihanna's "Anti" and the age of the surprise album.

The writers and editors of Rolling Stone take you inside the biggest stories in music. Featuring interviews with our favorite artists; what's playing in the office; expert insight on the week's biggest music news; and much more.