Cover Story

Robert Downey Jr.

How the brilliant but tormented rebel defeated his demons to become Hollywood's badass superhero. By Erik Hedegaard

VIDEO: Peter Travers on Robert Downey Jr.'s Best Performances

Features

Will the Democrats Blow It?

Only if they act the way they did in the last two presidential elections. By Michael Moore

John Mellencamp's Blues

The heartland hero has settled into a happy middle age — but he's just put out his unhappiest album yet. By Brian Hiatt

ALBUM GUIDE: The Essential John Mellencamp, from his days as Johnny Cougar to Live, Death, Love and Freedom

The Mall Massacre

Last December, a troubled teen shot up a Nebraska mall and slaughtered eight people. What motivated the rampage? And why was it all forgotten within weeks? By Mark Boal

Rock & Roll

Kid Rock: Back on Top

The rocker's secret to returning to the top of the charts

WHAT'S UP WITH: How the California duo Shwayze crafted "Buzzin'," the hottest beach-party jam of the summer

ON THE ROAD: Coldplay and Jay-Z rock Pemberton fest

Rock Daily Reports Live from Pemberton

ON THE ROAD: Trent Reznor rolls out summer NIN tour

ON THE ROAD: Steve Miller's endless tour

IN THE STUDIO: The Killers prep experimental third CD

IN THE STUDIO: Lucinda Williams teams up with Elvis Costello on joyful, raucous album

IN THE STUDIO: Robin Thicke finds inspiration in Obama and the Seventies

PROFILE: Guitar virtuoso Ry Cooder

Q&A

Katy Perry

The newly minted pop star on hating Bill O'Reilly and losing her virginity

VIDEO: Katy Perry Performs "I Kissed a Girl" Live

Reviews

Disney's New Teen Titans

Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens and the Jonas Brothers toe the line between kiddie pop and sophisticated rock.
PLUS: Ra Ra Riot, Staind, Lykke Li, Lloyd, Ice Cube, the Dandy Warhols, One Day as a Lion

KEY TRACKS: Hear the best of this issue's review section

Movies

Tropic Thunder: War Is Funny

Ben Stiller brings big laughs in this sendup of Hollywood war movies. By Peter Travers
PLUS: Hamlet 2, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Also In This Issue...

COLD NEW WORLD Cold War Kids Get Dark on Loyalty to Loyalty

Top 10

The Best in TV, the Web, Books and Beyond: The Bejing Olympics finally spark the torch as The Hills ramps up another brainy season. Yes, it's time to crank up our new "BeerTender"
PLUS: Quick and Dirty With... Anna Faris

Smoking Section

AC/DC; Crosby, Stills and Nash; the Stills By Austin Scaggs

INTERVIEW: Crosby, Stills and Nash Talk About Their New Movie and Old Bands

Fricke's Picks

Strange Broadway: Stew
Foreign Intrigue: Socrates Drank the Conium
Folk-Rock Theatre: Johnny Flynn's Sussex Wit