L.A. Times - News — Reporting from Beirut — A Russian-made passenger airplane caught fire as it crash-landed in northeastern Iran this morning, injuring dozens of people aboard in the latest in a string of Iranian civil aviation and transport mishaps. more info

Here Comes The Flood — photo: Steve Lunam John Cale 2010/01/16 Enmore Theatre Sydney, Australia Captain Hook Mercenaries Walkin' The Dog Model Beirut Recital Helen of Troy Dying on The Vine I'm Waiting For The Man Femme Fatale > Rosegarden Funeral of Sores Chi... more info

Stereogum — There's been plenty of pre-release hype, viral and otherwise. You've known the tracklist and backstory for a while. And after hearing "Horchata," "California English" (in two parts), "Cousins," and the old-timer "White Sky," you wouldn't be faulted f... more info

L.A. Times - News — Demonstrators set fires, throw stones and chant "Death to the dictator!" as a religious commemoration coincides with the seventh day of mourning for a dissident cleric. ... more info

Stereogum — The lovable pop of Love Is Not Pop may have been somewhat overlooked this year, although El Perro Del Mar's got fans in high places helping to rectify the situation with folks from Beirut, Fuck Buttons, and Arcade Fire singling out Sarah Assbring's s... more info

Stereogum — The current crop of indie rock pinups have had their sartorial sensibilities played with by the New York Times already -- a couple of times! Fashion and buzz bands are highly bloggable bedfellows: the Gray Lady analyzed artists' fashion sense last... more info

Big Apple Music Scene — Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)’s Sounds Like Brooklyn Festival has been a big hit the past two years, with performers like Beirut and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. This year’s lineup includes Les Savvy Fav with openers Vivian Girls (January 29) Rain... more info

Stereogum — Los Angeles dance group We Are The World don't show their hand in the video for "Clay Stones," actually they don't show much of anything about themselves aside from excellent taste in costumes and body movements to pair with the darkened and clacking... more info

L.A. Times - News — Police beat chanting demonstrators and tear gas fills the air, witnesses report, as unrest mounts on National Students' Day. Reporting from Beirut — Protests... more info

We All Want Someone To Shout For — There is something just magic about Jonathan Meiburg’s band Shearwater. The former Okkervil River member has a really haunting voice that fits all too perfectly with Shearwater’s piano based sound. Their sound is very organic and worldy, sort of ... more info