Is Steve Jobs the most influential person in music?

John Schaefer, host of "Soundcheck" and the most well-versed music afficionado I know of, stirred up trouble by suggesting Apple genius Steve Jobs is the most influential person in music over the past 25 years, if not ever.

That's a pretty strong statement, and Schaefer, not afraid of a challenge, gets pushback in today's episode of WNYC's "Soundcheck Smackdown."

As with most things on "Soundcheck," this debate is well worth a listen, regardless of which side of the fence you're on.

New Fountains of Wayne

Tuesday brought the release of the long-awaited new Fountains of Wayne album, "Sky Full of Holes." "Soundcheck" captures them live on release day, in a low-fi performance. 

As I write this, Amazon is selling the MP3 version of "Sky Full of Holes" for only $3.99. After one listen of the album and feeling like they mailed in the "Soundcheck" performance, I'm feeling a bit underwhelmed. But I've learned never to underestimate FOW, so hope it grows on me soon enough. 

Update on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at 10:42 AM by Logan Molen

FOW playing live on "Jimmy Fallon," with spot-on harmonies and energy that seemed lacking on "Soundcheck."

Rebuilding Malaco, the little studio that could

It's difficult to stomach the incredible devastation caused by the string of tornadoes that have swept through the South in recent days and weeks. And it's difficult for residents of those areas to be thinking about entertainment when their lives have been turned upside down. 

But it is heartwarming to hear stories like this "Soundcheck" episode describing efforts to rebuild little Malaco Records, a historic soul-music studio in Jackson, Miss. Small independent companies like Malaco have been a rich part of the Southern culture for decades, so it's fitting the soul and R&B music that transformed a region and its politics a half-century ago will again be part of the healing process.