Guardian Music — Our countdown of the year's best albums continues with Hot Chip's In Our Heads. On their stellar fifth album, the great British pop group combined fun, warmth and sincerityWhat a lovely group Hot Chip have become. Quietly, unassertively – this is t... more info

Guardian Music — Merrill Garbus's Tune-Yards bandmate Nate Brenner has struck out on his own with a record about a post-apocalyptic future world. Don't be put off: it's really rather goodReading this on a mobile? Click here to listenHometown: Oakland, California.The ... more info

Guardian Music — (Warp)In pop, the year 2009 will be mostly remembered for the death of Michael Jackson. But in recherché rock circles, 2009 will long be recalled as a hell of a year for the Brooklyn art-house band. Three groups released landmark records marking hig... more info

DrownedInSound — “Be kind to each other” Van Dyke Parks advised his attentive audience at the Barbican on Saturday night, “… or I’ll kill you!” – sage advice from a man who has spent much of his career collaborating with other likeminded musicians. ... more info

Guardian Music — He tried in vain to move the Beach Boys away from surf and bikinis. Today artists from Rufus Wainwright to the Scissor Sisters are queuing up to work with himAs the small, white-haired, bespectacled man in a sleeveless cardigan took his seat a few ro... more info

DrownedInSound — Today the organizers have announced a new batch of news including: Chilly Gonzales, Van Dyke Parks and Britten Sinfonia, Demdike Stare, Revere, Deap Vally, Splashh, Mick Flannery, The Staves, Twin Shadow, Mark Lamarr’s God’s Jukebox presents – ... more info

Impose Magazine — If you met the sweet Alexandra Stewart in person, you would be hard pressed to uncover any of the darkness coming through so much of her debut EP, "Waba." We've got the first shared single, the skrnoky, hard-hitting cut 'Soul Like A Ghost.' While thi... more info

Nialler9 — Some real nice additions to Electric Picnic were just announced. Squarepusher! Van Dyke Parks! SBTRKT and the much-touted Grandaddy festival appearance. An mhaith. Patti Smith Richard Hawley Crystal Castles SBTRKT Grandaddy Squarepusher The Maccabees... more info

Detroit Free Press — Van Dyke Parks has never really been a household name, as he has primarily worked behind the scenes as a producer, arranger, songwriter and session musician and only occasionally released albums as a solo artist. But his significance in the world of ... more info

Mercury News, California — The concert, part of SFJazz's Spring Season, will feature performances from the birthday boy and several special guests, all of whom have worked with Hicks. The roll call includes Rickie Lee Jones, Tuck & Patti, Maria Muldaur, Harry Shearer, John Ham... more info