L.A. Times - Music News

Cold War Kids return with the safety off at the Fonda

By August Brown — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:43:00 PDT

The first lyrics on Cold War Kids' newest album, "Dear Miss Lonelyhearts," sum up the band's predicament right now. "I was supposed to do great things," Nathan Willett howls over a speedy piano plink. "I wasn't raised to shoot for fame, I had the safety on."

Blake Shelton's 'Healing in the Heartland' set for May 29

By Gerrick D. Kennedy — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:39:00 PDT

Blake Shelton’s benefit concert for Oklahoma is set for May 29.

In Hollywood, a rowdy goodbye for Slayer's Jeff Hanneman

By August Brown — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:19:00 PDT

The afternoon light leaked through the open doors of the Hollywood Palladium on Thursday. But inside the venue, everything was lighted red enough to resemble a reign in blood.

Critic's Pick: Christian Scott Quintet

By Chris Barton — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:10:00 PDT

If there's a broad failure to the vast majority of popular music in 2013, it's that very often nothing of consequence is being said. This is not an issue for jazz artist Christian Scott.

Mariah Carey has wardrobe malfunction, lets curse slip on 'GMA'

By Gerrick D. Kennedy — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:40:00 PDT

The great thing about early morning news is how unpredictable and often over-the-top the anchors are at the hour.

'Behind the Candelabra': Fun facts about the legendary Liberace

By Susan King — Fri, 24 May 2013 12:33:00 PDT

Steven Soderbergh’s latest film, “Behind the Candelabra,” looks at the relationship between flamboyant pianist Liberace (Michael Douglas) and his much younger lover Scott Thorson (Matt Damon). The film, which is in competition for the Palme d’Or at Cannes, premieres Sunday on HBO.

Critic's Pick: Anthony Wilson's Seasons Guitar Quartet

By Chris Barton — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:20:00 PDT

Consider an all-guitar jazz quartet and it's easy for your mind to conjure images of fingers burning up and down fretboards with the kind of mind-scrambling fireworks that've made heroes out of Pat Metheny and John McLaughlin.

Watch a trailer for Metallica's upcoming 3-D concert film

By Mikael Wood — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:19:00 PDT

The last time Metallica was at the center of a high-profile Hollywood movie -- in Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky's revealing 2004 documentary "Some Kind of Monster" -- the members of the influential heavy-metal outfit spent most of their time on-screen talking about their feelings.

Paris Hilton's hip-hop connection: She can hustle

By Chris Lee — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:08:00 PDT

On its surface, the arithmetic is baffling. Paris Hilton plus Cash Money Records equals … sweet, sweet music?

Video: Fan-generated Bruce Springsteen film to debut July 22

By Gerrick D. Kennedy — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:35:00 PDT

What does Bruce Springsteen mean to you? That’s the basis of a new documentary built around the legendary rocker’s influence on his fans.