Troubled Souls Unite — Twenty nine years ago today, John Lennon's life was tragically cut short. It's tough to write about such a prolific and influential musician, if only because there's too many accomplishments to focus on in too few years. While he's not my favorite Be... more info

Guardian Music — Armed with a hoard of antique instruments, this multi-tasking band create ornate pop full of sepia-tinted nostalgiaHometown: Portland, Oregon.The lineup: Micah Rabwin (vocals, guitar, musical saw, keyboard), Sean Ogilvie (vocals, keyboard, guitar, ac... more info

Rawkblog — Dispatches from a week I mostly took off: Real talk about the state of music criticism. A sweet live Toro Y Moi video. An Elliott Smith documentary is beginning to make the rounds. Live-Tweeting the American Music Awards. [Turkey photo by David Green... more info

Guardian Music — Susanna Karolina Wallumroed, from Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, performs her version of Thin Lizzy's 1976 hit Jailbreak exclusively for Observer Music MonthlyElliot SmithAndy Gallagher more info

Guardian Music — Susanna Karolina Wallumroed, from Susanna and the Magical Orchestra, performs an exclusive live version of her song HangoutElliot SmithAndy Gallagher more info

Rawkblog — An Elliott Smith documentary, Searching For Elliott Smith, is beginning to make the festival rounds — the first such movie to examine the life and untimely death of the troubled, peerless musician. Some of Smith’s friends and colleagues have been... more info

The Playlist — In late 2003, this writer and another friend spent a few weeks doing some old-school serious reporting and digging to write a feature on the death of L.A. indie-songwriter Elliott Smith. Half the work isn't even represented here, but countless interv... more info

Guardian Music — Last week was all about a cry for help. This time we want you to suggest songs about reaching maturitySometimes I feel like a motherless child. Particularly when my mum is on the phone telling me off for not remembering my aunt's birthday. Fortunatel... more info

The Playlist — Details have arrived on the soundtrack to Jason Reitman's humanist, downsizing dramedy, "Up In The Air," that stars George Clooney, Vera Farmiga and a startlingly good Anna Kendrick.We already mentioned much of the music featured in the film —... more info

Rawkblog — Live: The Main Drag (pictured) at CMJ 2009, Grizzly Bear at the Hollywood Palladium. New Music: Ravens & Chimes’ “Hearts of Palm,” Reverie Sound Revue’s “You Don’t Exist If I Don’t See You,” Adam and Darcie’s totally wonderful Calif... more info