Guardian Music — The Maccabees, On tourOnce an appealingly eccentric indie band, the Maccabees have since signed a major deal and streamlined their sound. No one would begrudge them that, especially since theirs so far has been a slightly difficult journey. On their ... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Etta James was one of the most emotive -- and influential -- singers around. Current R&B superstar Adele says Etta James has been the biggest musical influence on her career. more info

Guardian Music — As this column ends, I thought it appropriate to talk about rock's profound sense of beginning – its power and possibility, its surging promiseThis column began five years ago, born, in a roundabout way, out of a friendship with my editor, Michael.... more info

XLR8R — Taken from his forthcoming BLK EP, Time Wharp's "yrLyf" borrows a bit of R&B king R. Kelly's talk-sing-croon from "Real Talk"—chopping the vocals into pieces before sprinkling them into a cosmic sound world full of sitar solos, twinkling ... more info

411 Mania — Does the 27 Club that claimed the lives of Kurt Cobain and Amy Winehouse really exist? Do we need 32 more chapters of R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet"? Was Melanie Amaro the right choice to win The X Factor? 411's Joseph Lee and David Hayter debat... more info

411 Mania — And there will be no end for "Trapped in the Closet..." more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — R. Kelly has written 32 new chapters in his "Trapped in the Closet" saga, while "American Idol's" Adam Lambert was briefly detained in a Finnish jail after a bar fight with his boyfriend. more info

Guardian Music — All our 'best of 2011' lists, and some festive listening treats to tide you over until 2012All our best-of-2011 list shenanigansPJ Harvey - Let England Shake. Our number one album of the year.Albums of the year: How our critics votedThe best songs of... more info

ContactMusic — R Kellys performance on the US version of The X Factor was a wake up call The I Believe I Can Fly hitmaker appeared on the TV talent show this week and the level of talent from the contestants made him realise what he is up against from the... more info

411 Mania — News and thoughts on Drake getting called out by Common, R. Kelly looking to add more chapters to "Trapped in the Closet," The Weeknd dropping a new mixtape and more! more info