In New Zealand, the Roots are known as an alternative hip-hop outfit - and in their 20-year reign they have made some of the finest, and most intelligent music to come out of that genre.

Wellington's freakiest six-piece embody the notion of psychedelia on their sophomore album.

On the face of it, news that nu-metallers Korn were dabbling with dubstep sounded like the worst kind of bandwagon jumping imaginable.

Vile invites you into his world with his seemingly stream of consciousness lyrics, self-deprecating optimism on life and a no-gimmicks-required songwriting ability.

Oscar Kightley witnessed Run-D.M.C. play The Powerstation in Auckland on 18 November 1988.

Somehow, on last year's Brothers record, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of the Black Keys managed to sound like two stealth slackers. It had that swaggering, hip-hop-influenced blues rock sound that has become their trademark over the past 10 years.

If you're really going to celebrate a 10-year birthday, as Damon Albarn's cartoon band the Gorillaz are doing, then surely a deluxe double-disc collection of songs is the best way to go?

After four films and four happy endings, the Shrek franchise may have come to an end but the wonderfully entertaining spirit lives on thanks to its scene-stealing feline.

English folk-rocker Harper - now 70 - is much eulogised by senior British rock critics and has latterly been hailed by the neo-folk movement (Fleet Foxes, Devendra Banhart, Joanna Newsom).

Red is well known across the ditch as the kelpie/cattle dog who roamed Australia in the 70s looking for his lost master.

Having collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump and Maroon 5's Adam Levine, Gym Class Heroes have some credit with those fan groups, and having Busta Rhymes and Estelle guest on 2008 album The Quilt earned them a few hip-hop fans.

At one point in this minutely attentive study of the fabled restaurant of the title, three of the chefs are at the market and ask the fishmonger for a single fish tongue.