Song: The Whisperlights, “Until Then”Context: This song from The Whisperlights excellent album Wake Up Dead is definitely one of the very best recorded by any Phoenix band this year. The Whisperlights – Until Then by mmcizmar…

Phoenix indie band Kinch has an ambitious plan to promote their new record: residencies in three cities.Starting in January the band will play Monday nights at the Silverlake Lounge in Los Angeles, Tuesday nights at the Soda Bar in San Diego, and Saturday nights at the Rogue Bar in Scottsdale…

Song: Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, “Bright Lit Blue Skies”Context: Reading Michael Lopez’s analysis of the Pitchfork top albums list makes me feel like I should like this Ariel Pink record. So I listened again today. Still not doing much for me, though I like this song, “Bright Lit Blue Skies,”…

Song: Kanye West, “Lost In The World”Context: I’m pretty sure this is my favorite song of 2010. Yeezy – Lost In The World by R0M30…

We’ve got a big show announcement today: The Black Keys are coming to Mesa Ampitheatre on Thursday, April 14.Since I’m also from Akron, Ohio (or a suburb, anyway) I’ve been following their career since they played to half-filled local clubs. (Funny story from my old college newspaper here.)The Keys were…

Are you an aspiring music critic? If so, Mesa band Trains Eye View has a gig for you! There’s no pay. And, ummm, your work won’t be published anywhere. Oh, also, you’re not really being edited by someone who knows anything about journalism or could serve as a reference in…

Song: Andrew Jackson Jihad, “We Didn’t Come Here to Rock”Context: Andrew Jackson Jihad plays Trunk Space tonight. This is a great song from a great record, Can’t Maintain. I was hoping for a new record from the folk-punk duo in 2010 but it never materialized. Let’s hope 2011 brings one…

Song: The Maine, “Growing Up”Context: In going back to listen to prominent releases from local bands to prepare my “Best Local Records of 2010” list I was struck by how mature this song from The Maine is. Ya know, these guys could really grow into something even Phoenix indie snobs…

Congratulations, Alice, you’re headed to Cleveland.Alice Cooper, the shock rocker raised and residing in Phoenix (Detroit is also trying to claim him today) has been selected for enshrinement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on the shores of Lake Erie.Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Dr. John and…

Song: Foals, “Spanish Sahara”Context: NME’s top song of the year is, as the Brits say, a load of donkey bollocks. They’re trying to do that LCD Soundsystem thing where a seven-minute song has five minutes of build-up to two minutes of brilliance but they’re not near pulling it off. There…

KWSS 106.7’s morning show, The Morning Infidelity is making a big push for local music fans. The show, which airs weekday mornings is running a countdown featuring Arizona-only acts every day at 9.a.m. Pretty cool, right?Here’s the details:…

Song: Mariah Carey, “Oh Santa!” Context: Mariah Carey’s 1994 Christmas album is the all-time best, so I’m excited to see she has a new Christmas album out. This is the lead single off Merry Christmas II You. Mariah Carey – Oh Santa by Ju Miguel…

Song: Gay Blades, “Try To Understand” Context: The Gay Blades play Rogue Bar in Scottsdale Saturday night. Their new record, Savages, is excellent even if Jay Bennett liked it barely better than Kanye. The Gay Blades – Try To Understand by Alexandre Diogo…

Santa as a Hatchetman? That’s how’s depicted in this Christmas card from the good folks at Insane Clown Posse’s label, Psychopathic Records. I have to say, this really warms the cockles of my heart. In fact, I don’t think eggnog flavored Faygo or a moderately attractive Juggalette in red and…

Song: 2 Tone Lizard Kings, “The Bail Song”Context: Here’s a little taste from the local ska band that was the subject of this week’s New Times music feature in our print edition. The Bail Song — from Primeval Itch…

Song: T.I., “How Life Changed” Context: Everyone’s apparently too busy wetting themselves over the new Kanye West record that they’re not thinking much about the fact that T.I. just dropped a new album, No Mercy, yesterday. It’s excellent. This track, “How Life Changed,” stands up to anything on My Beautiful…

Song: Matt & Kim, “Cameras” (Mike D Remix) Context: I’m not sure I actually like this version of Matt & Kim’s new single by Beastie Boy Mike D, but I salute his effort to bring attention to the Brooklyn duo. Matt & Kim – Cameras (Mike D Remix) by mattandkim…

Minibosses have been doing their annual Shotfest concert for four years now. That’s a little surprising since the concert, which features local bands doing a shot before each song they play, probably should have sent someone to the hospital by now…Shotfest 4: The Quest For Peace (it’s a play on…

Song: Janelle Monáe, “Cold War”Context: Getting caught up on best of 2010 albums. Paste put Monáe’s The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) at #2. Feels like a reach to me so far. Janelle Monáe – Cold War…

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks will throw herself a huge 21st birthday bash at The Compound Grill in Phoenix on Wednesday, December 22. Yes, the Grammy nominated Sparks will be legal a few days before Christmas, and the NoPho venue will celebrate with a party featuring music from Micah, Jon…