The Quietus — But are too shy to ask... Plus! New material news more info

Topix — As a medium, the rock album is so under siege that even Radiohead made noise in 2009 about giving it up for downloadable singles and EPs. more info

Guardian Music — The leaders of America's underground scene end the year with a dose of panpipes and a nod to the Grateful Dead, writes Kitty EmpireLady Gaga dominated pop's spotlit uplands in 2009. Having released her Fame album in January, she ended the year with e... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — Today's free and legal mp3 downloads: Animal Collective: 2004-08-26, Oakland [mp3,ogg,flac] "Kids on Holiday" [mp3] other Animal Collective posts at Largehearted Boy Chuck Prophet: 2009-11-29, Fall River [mp3,ogg,;fac] "Freckle Song" [mp3] other Chuc... more info

Rock Sellout —     So, it's that time of year when everyone is sharing their “best of the year” lists. I wanted to be part of the fun, but I just want to say before you start reading that these are only my favorite songs of 2009, not the best. Yes, I includ... more info

Rawkblog — Go vote! Grizzly Bear, Animal Collective and Phoenix are in a dead heat for, well, everything. more info

Stereogum — FADER's going big this month: the lifestyle brand mag's annual NOW issue is guest-edited by Animal Collective and features a trio of promising interviews: Noah Lennox (dreamboat!) chatting with Black Dice's Eric Copeland, Geologist talking with the S... more info

Brooklyn Vegan — NPR and Stereogum both posted results of listener/reader polls. At Stereogum the contest is known as the Gummy Awards (an annual event). NPR titles it, "All Songs Considered Listeners Pick The Best Music Of 2009". Both lists rank "Best... more info

8/1 — 40 Kiss - Sonic Boom39 Wilco - Wilco38 Rick Ross - Deeper Than Rap37 Gallows - Grey Britain36 Brakesbrakesbrakes - Touchdown35 Miike Snow - Miike Snow34 Mariachi El Bronx - Mariachi El Bronx33 The Avett Brothers - I And Love And You32 U2 - No Line On... more info

Stereogum — Welcome to the fourth annual Gummy Awards! The following results are based on thousands of Stereogum and Videogum readers' votes for the best of 2009's music, film, television, and Web videos. Because it's almost 2010, you guys also decided on ... more info