December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. This year we asked some of the staffers what inspired them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008. more ›

As we said yesterday in this column, Robert Francis fell ill earlier this month, prompting the cancellation of his Monday night residency at the Silverlake Lounge. Good news, though, the new favorite local artist of ours is playing tonight at El Rey at 8:45 p.m. with the Australian Missy Higgins performing after. There's no better way than letting you get to know Francis via a few songs below. more ›

Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ Henry Fonda Yo La Tengo @ Ivar Pretty in Stereo @ Whisky Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus @ Honda Center Low Vs Diamond, Something For Rockets @ Viper Room Enon, Love of Diagrams, Model/Actress @ The Echo Minus the Bear, The Helio Sequence, Grand Archives @ Avalon Xu Xu Fang, Lion Fever, Winter Flowers, Magic Mirror @ Spaceland Jon Brion @ Largo Bootie LA @ Safari Sam's Melee @ Troubadour... more ›

The Pogues @ The Wiltern - Tonight ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead, Dethklok @ UCLA - Tonight Redd Kross @ Echoplex - Tomorrow The Polyphonic Spree, Rooney @ Henry Fonda - Tomorrow Yo La Tengo @ The Ivar - Tomorrow Low Versus Diamond @ Viper Room - Tomorrow The Bronx, The Mercy Killers @ Safari Sam's - Tomorrow Rodrigo Y Gabriela @ Henry Fonda, 11/3 Yo La Tengo... more ›

Bloc Party, The Like @ The Wiltern Rod Stewart @ Staples Center Amy Winehouse @ Spaceland canceled Richard Cheese (above) @ The Derby Evidence @ Amoeba Michael Penn @ Largo Stars & Scars, Oso, The Mirrors @ The Good Hurt Time Flys, The Nice Boys, Birds of Avalon, Sweet Evil @ The Scene The Tender Box, The After Midnight Project, The Hedrons, The Scanners @ Key Club The Helio Sequence, Dirty on Purpose, Besnard... more ›

Mon 5/8 – The Submarines / Goldspot @ Viper Room ($10) – The Submarines debut album doesn’t come out until 6/20 but you can sample some tracks on their website or on Myspace. The album has call and response boy/girl lyrics about the two singers’ relationship (both the breakup and reunion). The electronic blips call to mind the Stars and some Folk Implosion. Her voice is in the neighborhood of the woman from Mates of State. Goldspot is a big Nic Harcourt band. If you prefer underground rap go see Soul Position at the Echo. more ›

FRIDAY more ›