Cover Story

The End of the GOP

A president driven by ideology. A Congress rife with corruption. A party hellbent on a "permanent majority." How the radicals who hijacked the GOP wrecked the longest conservative ascendancy in American history.
By Sean Wilentz

Video: Five Ways Bush Sunk the GOP

Features

The Return of the Dude

When it was released in 1998, The Big Lebowski was a flop. But this ode to laziness, bowling and stolen rugs has become the greatest comedy of its generation. On its 10th anniversary, Jeff Bridges and Co. explain why the Dude is a man for these times. By Andy Greene

• Video: Jeff Bridges on the Dude
• Q&A: Steve Buscemi on Lebowski
• Q&A: John Goodman on Lebowski
• Inside the Dude's Stoner Soundtrack
• Lebowski on the Web

NASCAR's Rock Star

Tony Stewart brawls, cusses and (usually) drives a race car better than anyone on earth. How did a potbellied prima donna become the soul of auto racing? By Mike Guy

Randy Newman's Bad Mood

The man who released three of the darkest records of the Seventies opens up about his political new disc, memory loss and bad-mouthing Bob Dylan. By Mark Binelli

Album Guide: The Essential Randy Newman

Rock & Roll

Here Come the Blockbusters

Can highly anticipated new discs from Jay-Z, AC/DC, Metallica and others help revive the record industry?

TRIBUTE: Remembering Jerry Wexler, legendary producer

Wex on Wax: Twenty Essential Jerry Wexler Productions

TRIBUTE: Friends pay homage to soul icon Isaac Hayes

ON THE ROAD: Backstage at All Points West with Radiohead, Kings of Leon and more.

Rock Daily Reports Live from All Points West

ON THE ROAD: Rage, Gnarls, Raconteurs Bring the Noise at Lollapalooza

Rock Daily Reports Live from Lollapalooza

PROFILE: With a killer new record, David Byrne and Brian Eno talk about their 30-year creative partnership

Bono Checks In With Rolling Stone

BREAKING

Artists to Watch

From chamber-pop brainiacs to a trash-talking Colorado rap duo, the six acts who are defining music in 2008

Hear music and watch videos from all six featured acts

Reviews

Byrne and Eno's Electro Gospel

The Talking Heads frontman and the groundbreaking producer reunite for a set of jubilant hymns for dark times.
PLUS: Brian Wilson, the Academy Is . . ., Elton John, Young Jeezy, the Verve, B.B. King, Santogold/Diplo, Death Vessel and more

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

Movies

The Season of Smart Films

From box-office gold (Max Payne, Revolutionary Road) to early Oscar favorites (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk) to under-the-radar gems (The Class, I've Loved You So Long), first looks at fall's 31 hottest movies. By Peter Travers

Video: Peter Travers' Fall Movie Preview

Also In This Issue...

Smoking Section

The Police, Mark Ronson and a tribute to Bill Withers
By Austin Scaggs

Fricke's Picks

A Fond Farewell: the Go-Betweens
Baghdad Blues: Give Me Love: Songs of the Brokenhearted — Baghdad 1925-1929
A Nonstop Party: Endless Boogie