If you go as far west as you can in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd., right before you wind up in Beverly Hills you will see the Troubadour - one of the most famous rock clubs in the world - established in 1957. Home of the Eagles, Jackson Browne, Elton John, and Linda Ronstadt in the '60s and '70s, the warm, rich club also saw the likes of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, and......

The Fiona Apple comparisons are inevitable. As soon as Sara Bareilles opens her mouth, she reveals the vocal depth of Apple with the pop sensibility of Rachael Yamagata and Regina Spektor and the soulful sultriness of Norah Jones and Feist. In fact, on her website, she says: "I write mostly on piano and I'm a girl, so lots of people say it's Norah Jones, or Fiona Apple. That's fine. I love Norah's subtlety and......

I feel true joy when I’m able to experience the simple pleasures in life. These include loling, warm nights, people thanking me after I’ve let them into my car lane, and chill bars. I get downright giddy when said chill bars include passwords for entrance and a jukebox that plays Elton John, the Violent Femmes AND Smashing Pumpkins. Thank you, God. I’ve been praying for a place like this. R Bar is the newest......

If you are gay or European, or considering becoming gay or European, this record may already be yours. For the heterosexual American who has never heard of Mika, however, fret not. You will not be excluded from this elite club. This album is for you, too. Perky, discoed, electro-pop ala Scissor Sisters (but less Elton John, and more Queen) awaits your every, equal opportunity, partying need. Road trip? Perfect. Getting ready to go out......

In honor of the the 16th International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition (aka Photo L.A.) being this weekend I thought I would make sure every photographer, novice to pro, knows about the event. So, here are some details: LOCATION: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium 1855 Main Street Santa Monica, CA 90401 HOURS: Opening Reception hosted by Graham Nash to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation Thursday, January 18th, 6 - 9pm Public Hours: Friday, January......

New releases! Now newer every week!! We begin this installment with a boatload of terrifying and perplexing tribute records, followed by noteables in every genre, including some promising rock offerings, a vault of soundtracks, fancy cello-ing, and more Frankie Valli than you can shake a stick at. Tribute Various Artists - Bluegrass Tribute to Modest Mouse (CMH) Various Artists - Bluegrass Tribute to the Shins (CMH) Various Artists - Can You Bring It? Sing......

Props to Jack 93.1 FM for their dedication today on the radio. During their "Playing What We Want Lunch Hour" (not to be confused with their "Playing What We Want AM Drive Time," "Playing What We Want PM Drive Time," "Playing What We Want Late Night," and "Playing What We Want Weekends"), they aired a clip from a caller asking that they break station policy and play a dedication in honor of the firemen......

“Ta Dah,” the sophomore studio album by our favorite disco sympathizers, Scissor Sisters, is a transcendent, gold lamé dancefest with thumpy and dazzling momentum that’ll give even the stodgiest fuddy-duddies a kick in the pants. Dead-on-balls-accurate bass playing, melodies catchy like the herpes, and enough “homage” to fuel a thousand hustles, this polished and plucky record reads like a hazy, anthemic lullaby for the lubed. The flaxen five (Jake Shears, Babydaddy, Ana Matronic, Del......

"Artie Lange's Beer League" soundtrack (Lakeshore) A Shoreline Dream - Avoiding the Consequences (LateNight WeekNight) Clay Aiken - A Thousand Different Ways (RCA) Joseph Arthur - Nuclear Daydream (digipak; Megaforce) Black Crowes - Freak 'N' Roll ... Into the Fog (two CDs; Eagle) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Thug Stories (Koch) Canada - This Cursed House (digipak; Quite Scientific) Kenny Chesney - Live (BNA) Chingy - Hoodstar (Capitol) Damnation - Resist (Metal Mind) Chris Difford -......

Are Ben Stiller, Christina Applegate and Taye Diggs American Idol groupies? While they weren’t the only celebs that Fox tcaught on camera at the Kodak, the sightings show how much this pop competition has become a red-hot ticket in Hollywood. Even the networks pulled their regular programming, and those not watching AI were given the choices of Stephen King’s “Desperation” on ABC or the Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS. NBC really threw......

Sample these tracks and let us know what's in your iPod playlist this week. Cary Brothers | Local Rock Ride [download] Brothers garnered exposure on the Garden State soundtrack. After one listen to his new EP, you'll see he is more than a one hit wonder. Though comparisons to Pete Yorn are appropriate, Brothers' vocals are richer. He plays Hotel Cafe on December 6. Amy Jo Johnson | Local Pop Puddle of Grace (live)......