By way of historical context, Laurie Anderson's last studio album, 'Life on a String,' was released a month before 9/11, largely written and recorded in the earliest months of Bush Lite's first term. On her new album, 'Homeland,' she proves again to be an astute commentator on the state of America (and the world). Even better, Anderson hasn't lost one iota of musical passion and provides an invigorating soundtrack for her fascinating travelogue.   

There’s rarely a chance these days to witness musicians who represent both the roots and evolution of a genre. In the ’60s, for instance, you could see music history being written in Jazz clubs all over the country, featuring artists who were not just masterful players but creating and expanding an entire musical tradition.