LHB’s Shorties (Zooey Deschanel + Ben Gibbard and More)

Altsounds lists bands to watch in 2009.

Pitchfork reports that actress-singer Zooey Deschanel and Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard are engaged.

DJ Earworm mashes up the top 25 songs of 2008.

Gothamist interviews MTV's John Norris.

Do you keep up with the music blogs? Which do you read regularly, and have you considered starting your own?

My bookmarks toolbar features the usual suspects: Brooklyn Vegan, Stereogum, Idolator, A.V. Club, Paste, Largehearted Boy and of course the 'Fork. I also like Sasha Frere Jones' blog. I have surely thought of starting my own - but would want to do something different. In what way different, that's tbd.

Paste lists the best lists of 2008.

Daytrotter's Monday session features in-studio mp3s from Athens' Dark Meat. Monday's session features the the Peekers.

- David Gutowski