When the band finished their version of Love’s “Along Again Or” aided by a mariachi horn section I was pretty sure we’d seen the highlight of an already strong show. Then, front man Joey Burns called out “Here’s one for D. Boon!,” and burst into the Minutemen classic “Corona,” taking a gringo punk rock imagining of Mexican music and sending it straight back to Mexico with a straight face. It was perhaps the finest only-in-LA moment... more ›

It is almost impossible to overstate the effect that Ornette Coleman had on the world of American music in the late 1950s. Coleman’s early records for Atlantic - using a band formed in LA, with Don Cherry, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins, trading the drum seat with Ed Blackwell - declared complete freedom from jazz convention, including the restrictions of tonality itself, while remaining rooted in the blues at its deepest level... more ›

Tack, Going Direct, Sam Boyd, Rogue Stallion, Foiled @ Whisky more ›

Rock is back in a real way, including old school rock from some classic rock legends as well as Nicole Richie's dad! May we recommend the Black Keys, Catfish Haven, Everclear, Hella, Roger Manning Jr. (from Beck's band and Jellyfish), The Mars Volta, Los Lobos, (Santa Barbara's) Sugarcult, TV on the Radio, and yes even JT Basement Jaxx - Crazy Itch Radio (XL Recordings) Bettie Serveert - Bare Stripped Naked (with DVD; Minty Fresh)... more ›

If you didn't get tickets to tonight's sold out farewell Guided By Voices show, LAist has collected some excellent alternative plans: more ›