Born in Texas but raised in his mother's native Venezuela, Devendra Banhart has built an enviable career out of being an outsider. The 28-year-old singer-songwriter broke out in 2002 with a lo-fi album made up of largely folky ditties he left on people's answering machines, quickly amassing a passionate following.

While the dashing French first couple -- President Nicolas Sarkozy and his model/singer wife Carla Bruni -- were referred to as the hottest Gallic import in New York City last week, several thousand music fans in Central Park would beg to differ.

After pushing the envelope with his own output over the last two decades, Beck -- and a group of all-star pals -- are re-imagining the classics.

How many bands does it takes to replace one British songbird? Answer: five.

He's collaborated with star freak-folker Devendra Banhart, but San Francisco-based singer/songwriter Andy Cabic isn't limiting himself to just one genre -- and his band Vetiver's excellent new album proves it.