Mikey's Pick--Underworld

Finally was able to give their latest 2010 album "Barking" a listen, and well I have mixed feelings.  What is interesting about this album is how many guests are featured leaving each song extremely different from each other and the band's previous sound.  I wouldn't say it is a let down of an album I would say it's just unremarkable.  Underworld has been an electronic Renaissance  for almost three decades so they are allowed an okay album once in a while.  I will say I have been able to have seen them live on the Oblivion With Belles tour, and it was one of the best shows of my life.  Underworld will always be one of my all time favorites, this album...not so much.
Some of the best tracks from their latest:

Underworld--Bird 1

Underworld--Grace

And some older well known, I hate to say it, better tracks.  But they have so much music so dig in.

Underworld--Born Slippy

Underworld--Pearls Girl LIVE!

Underworld--Jumbo

Underworld--Push Upstairs

Mikey's --Brian Eno

If you are not familiar with the name Brian Eno, I am sure you have felt his influence in some way or another.  Brian Eno might be the most influential artist of all time.  His work is everywhere.  Most recently he has put out an album titled Small Craft on a Milk Sea.  A review?  It's Eno, it's beautiful.  You can watch some of the improvisational videos, and interviews along with some of the tracks of the album from his website.

Here is the link:
Brian Eno--Small Craft on a Milk Sea

A couple links to some excellent earlier solo material:

Brian Eno--This

Brian Eno--St. Elmo's Fire

Brian Eno--Baby's on Fire

Mikey's Pick--The Decemberists

The Decemberists will release their album The King is Dead in two weeks but they are currently streaming the album in it's entirety on NPR.  This Portland folk/rock band continues their use of a variety of instruments, and good harmonizing, on each track.  The album as a whole is pretty good lyrically and musically.  Personally, I am not going to run out and buy it but I did very much enjoy the free listen.  It is worth a listen for sure.  If you like any previous music by them, you will be very satisfied with The King is Dead.  Thanks NPR. 

The Decemberists--The King is Dead (New Album)

Mikey's Pick--Ape School

Not a huge fan of this band but I wanted to highlight this song/video.  Yesterday Shaun posted a great animated video done by Anthony F Sheppard for Blockhead--The Music Scene.   I was blown away so I looked up the animator to find some other work of his.  Turns out he also created a video for Ape School.  Ape School is a band who to me is really hit or miss as a far as their music goes.  They have some amazing songs but are few and far between.  Let's enjoy my favorite song by them (perhaps their most well known) while highlighting this great animator.

                                               Ape School--Wail To God

Shaun's PIck--Blockhead

You might know Blockhead as Aesop Rock's producer, but as a solo artist making spacey homemade beats, his music is complete gold. I bought his most recent album titled The Music Scene and it's a crazy trip from start to finish, packed with the usual weird sound clips and infectious beats. For some glorious cartoon eye candy, check out this video for the title track:

The Music Scene

It's Raining Clouds

And a really good guitar solo on this track from his older album Downtown Science:

The First Snowfall

Mikey's Pick--Dr. Dog

 This Philly rock band put simply, kicks ass. Tour dates were released last month and I am very excited to finally go see him.  Dr. Dog has been also releasing free live tracks via their website which has been very cool of them.  With five solid albums they are well established and definitely here to stay.  If you haven't listened to these guys yet, here's your chance.  Enjoy.

Dr. Dog--Shadow People

Dr. Dog--The Old Days

Dr. Dog--The Ark

Dr. Dog--LIVE NPR Tiny Desk

Mikey's Pick--Karl Denson

This San Fran man does almost everything.  He sings, produces, and play the funkiest saxophone and flute I have ever heard.  I have been lucky enough to have seen him at a festival with DJ Logic.  It was fantastic.  Karl has been putting out albums since the late eighties, I recommend you go pick one up, or better yet he starts his tour this month, if he is in your area be sure to check it out.   
Here are a few tracks off of Dance Lesson #2:

Karl Denson--Dance Lesson #2

Karl Denson--Flute Down

Karl Denson--Like Like Dope

Karl Denson--The Mighty Rebel LIVE!

Mikey's Pick--Pretty Lights

Love this.  Great song and great video to lose your mind to.

Pretty Lights--Future Blind 

Shaun's Pick- The Grouch & Eligh

The Grouch & Eligh are an underground rap group from Los Angeles, CA, far away from all these pine trees and snow. Possibly the greatest thing about this group besides the beats is the unstoppable sporadic flow of their raps and the lyric content. I find myself spacing out and wandering off into the music. They say it best in their song 'Say G&E':  "The G is for good, the E for elevation"

They only have one album out (other than a very unmentionable first album from 2000) but I can tell you that I'm going to purchase their next album...whenever that might be. Here are songs from their album "Say G&E!":

 
All In

Say G&E

Teach Me the Way

Mikey's Pick--Mumford and Sons

I don't know much about these guys but they keep coming up.  So here they are.  And yes, I am very impressed.  From what little I have heard from these guys, I can say they are pretty good.  Pretty damn good at that.  Check them out.

Mumford and Sons--Little Lion Man

Mumford and Sons--Winter Winds