Anyone who has a radio or computer knows that it's tough to keep track of recent music and artists. The popularity of MySpace and other websites allow almost anyone to record music and become a star, almost as soon as the music is online.

Each month, NEA Member Benefits will give you the scoop, including music clips, on several of these popular artists to take some of the mystery out of classroom conversations and iPod playlists, whether the genre is hip-hop, pop, rock, or country.

The Fray

In 2002, Denver schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King decided to call their newly formed band The Fray. The name turned out to be an apt one, because there was constant strife among the band members. The bickering led to many lineup changes until about 2004, when the group began to receive some positive critical acclaim. Now the line up seems to be fairly stable with 4 members, all in their 20s: Isaac Slade, Joe King, Ben Wysocki and David Welsh.

The band’s first album, “How to Save a Life” (2005, Epic Records), won critical acclaim plus a Grammy Award nomination. The title of the album is taken from a song written by band cofounder Isaac Slade about his experience mentoring a crack-addicted teen; it has become the band’s musical calling card and has won them many teenage fans.

Although the band has sold millions of records and toured throughout the world, critics have derided their music as too generic. They are currently at work on their third album, which they have asserted will be “edgier” than past work.

The Fray released a self-titled album in February and are currently touring in support of it.

For more information about The Fray and their music, check out their album "The Fray."

Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore first came into the public’s consciousness as a teen singer in the 1990s while Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson and Christian Aguilera were gaining popularity. Although Moore never achieved the tabloid fame that those three singers did, she toured with the phenomenally popular “boy band” the Backstreet Boys, and her albums—including “So Real” and “I Wanna Be With You”—sold 10 million copies.

Despite a promising acting career in TV and films—she most recently played the young bride-to-be in “License to Wed” —Mandy largely faded from public view until this past March when she married alternative/country singer Ryan Adams. Adams is often in the news for his emotional flare-ups. Many see the coupling as unusual since Moore is rather mild mannered but the two maintain it is a perfect match.

Moore, 25, is currently on tour promoting her latest album, the eponymously titled “Amanda Leigh” (her given first and middle names). She worked hard on this album to make the musical style more mature by taking cues from singers she admires, including Stevie Nicks and Todd Rundgren.

For more information about Moore and her music, check out her album "Amanda Leigh."

Katy Perry

Many who have heard Perry’s suggestive lyrics might be surprised to learn the 24-year old American singer was baptized a born-again Christian and sang in her parents’ ministry. Although Perry wasn’t allowed to listen to “secular” music while she was growing up, she was determined to pursue a career as a singer. After passing the GED while a freshman in high school, she headed to Nashville to work with music industry professionals who had first heard her singing in church. Although Perry originally signed to a Christian label and released a Christian CD in 2001, she soon moved to several mainstream labels, although an album failed to materialize.

In 2005, her song “Simple” was released on the soundtrack for the film “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.” Her “official” debut album—“One of the Boys”—was released in 2008 and her bad-girl image was established with such songs as “Ur So Gay” and “I Kissed a Girl.” Perry won a host of awards for the album.

Perry is currently on tour in support of “One of the Boys.” As part of her recent shows, she has kissed female audience members (the majority of her fans are young girls), causing controversy around the country, which is presumably just what she wants.

For more information about Perry and her music, check out her album “One of the Boys.”

Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas are an American hip-hop group that formed over a decade ago, but didn’t gain popularity until the album “Elephunk” was released in 2003.

That album was the first to feature Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson as the band’s lead singer; her energetic attitude and modern styling attracted many fans. The band’s popularity was also bolstered by the hit single “Where is the Love?” featuring the heartthrob pop singer Justin Timberlake. The band hit top chart positions in many countries and won critical acclaim. The Peas’ 2005 album “Monkey Business” was equally successful.

By this time, though, the personal lives of Fergie, age 34, and band leader will.i.am, also 34, seemed to overshadow the band.

Fergie was photographed intoxicated in many public places and there were constant tabloid stories about her personal life, including rumors of bisexuality. In January, Fergie married actor Josh Duhamel. She also has said she kicked an addiction to crystal meth.

will.i.am made his own news. He was selected by Michael Jackson to collaborate on new music. In addition, he worked with other high-profile artists including John Legend, Carlos Santana and Justin Timberlake. will.i.am is active in politics, most recently rallying support for then-Presidential candidate Barack Obama. He made a video, “Yes We Can,” that used a star studded lineup to sing the words of an Obama campaign speech, that went viral.

The successful solo careers of Fergie and will.i.am have led to some speculation on whether the Black Eyed Peas would disband. In June the band released a new album “The E.N.D.” which stands for “The Energy Never Dies.” With the release of the album, the band is on tour.

For more information about the Black Eyed Peas and their music, check out the album "The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies)".

Aerosmith

Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, formed in 1970, is still releasing new albums and touring extensively. Although the band’s breakthrough came in 1975 with the album “Toys in the Attic,” the band hit hard times in the 1980s. Besides internal conflict, band members—including lead singer Steven Tyler, 61, and lead guitarist Joe Perry, 58—became addicted to drugs. The two were known as “The Toxic Twins” because of their drug abuse on and off stage.

Aerosmith had several lineup changes and Tyler left the band for several years in the ‘80s. It wasn’t until 1987, when he and other band members became sober, that the band regained its footing as evidenced by that year’s album “Permanent Vacation.” The album sold five million copies and had three major hits including “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” “Rag Doll” and “Angel.” The band has continued to be wildly popular in the U.S. The band’s status has been bolstered continually through high-profile performances such as the 2001 halftime show for Super Bowl XXXV. They have introduced themselves to a younger audience by performing with teen favorites Nelly, ‘N Sync and Britney Spears.

Band members have also stayed in the news with solo music projects—notably by Perry and Tyler—and Tyler’s appearance in several films. He is also often mentioned in interviews given by his daughter, actress Liv Tyler.

The band released a 2004 blues album “Honkin’ on Bobo” and a compilation album, “Devil’s Got a New Disguise,” in 2006.

The band was sidelined temporarily when Tyler needed to have throat surgery. The National Geographic channel used footage from the procedure in a show about the human body.

The band is currently on tour with ZZ Top and plans to release a new rock album this year.

For more information about Aerosmith and their music, check out the album "Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith."