Mikey's Pick--Painted Palms

The same buddy who showed me Toro Y Moi just put me on this infectious EP entitled "Canopy".  Painted Palms is the San Francisco based electro-pop group behind this fantastic release.  This is the type music that can make anyone's body move, ears twitch and mind wander.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  You can grab the entire album as a free download here.

My Picks of it:

Painted Palms--Canopy

Painted Palms--Water Hymn

Mikey's Pick--Gruvis Malt

A band that I think goes very unnoticed and are extremely underrated.  Gruvis Malt is stacked with talent.  This six piece Rhode Island band is funk, jazz, hip-hop, rock, and good times all rolled into one.  They seamlessly flow from genre to genre using perfect harmonizing hooks and choruses.  They have the sound, and even better lyrics to back them up.  Check these guys out, or at least these two songs. 

Gruvis Malt--The Sticky

Gruvis Malt--Even the Scars Forget the Wounds

Mikey's Pick--Primus

PRIMUS HAS A NEW ALBUM??!!!!  According to Paste Magazine, bass guitar god Les Claypool announced that indeed Primus will be putting out another LP this year.  So yes, Primus still sucks. It has been 12 years since the band has released an album which makes this news really exciting.  It has been awhile but that doesn't mean these guys have not been busy; they are all very successful with other bands and solo careers.  So on that note, let's get back in the mood and blast some of my favorite tracks and awesome videos:
Primus--Tommy the Cat

Primus--Too Many Puppies

Primus--Silly Putty

Primus--Tweeker Jam LIVE!!

Shaun's Pick- Louis Armstrong

Recently, I purchased this interesting 10-part documentary about the history of Jazz created by Ken Burns which aired on PBS back in 2000. It renewed my appreciation for Jazz & Blues music, so I'll be doing some posts centered around the distant past- rather then the present state of music.

Louis Armstrong always called people Pops, and soon enough everyone started calling him Pops. He is best known as the father of Jazz music, because everybody wanted to play trumpet like him. Some might call him one of the best performers of the 20th century for the way that he always knew how to captivate an audience with his presence, distinct voice, and always happy appearance. Even before the Civil Rights movement, Louis had played for both black and white audiences, and was one of the first African-American entertainers to be able to play in segregated events.

West End Blues

Hello Dolly (Live)

Mac The Knife (Live)

Dream A Little Dream of Me

Mikey's Pick--Jack White, Norah Jones, DangerMouse, Daniele Luppi

Yes indeed the White Stripes are over but as most of us know, Jack White has had his fingers in so many projects lately it is no surprise that he has a new album due mid-May entitled Rome.  Jack has teamed up with Danger Mouse, Daniele Luppi, and Norah Jones for this endeavor.  Sounds interesting right?  My guess is this can only mean one thing:  another fantastic album to hear this spring.  The song "Two against One" is streaming now on a few sites but seemingly, the song is quickly being taken down from many of them. So quick take peek!!!!
Listen Here:

Two Against One

Thank you, Some Kind of Awesome

Mikey's Pick--Superbowl

No time for any great posts today due to Superbowl festivities.  Go PACKERS!  In the meantime, enjoy these two excellent videos and songs. 
First, from the band, The Fever:

The Fever--Waiting For The Centipede

And another great song and video from The Avalanches:

The Avalanches--Since I Left You

Mikey's Pick--Toro Y Moi (Bull and Me)

A buddy of mine got me into this guy the other day.  Toro Y moi (Chazwick Bundick) is a North Carolina based music recording artist.  Some might know him from his high school band The Heist.  Last year he put out his first full length LP and has announced his second (Underneath the Pine) to drop Feb. 22. To quote my buddy, "Dude the entire album is amazing. the ENTIRE album, I am beside myself.  I just listened to it three times."  He is currently in the midst of an extensive tour so be sure to check out those dates.  Here are a couple tracks from Underneath The Pine.  

Toro Y Moi--Still Sound

Toro Y Moi--New Beat

Toro Y Moi--How I Know You

Toro Y Moi--Talamak  track off "Causers of This"

Mikey's Pick--Mr. Scruff

How have I never heard of this guy?!!  Some of his previous album covers look vaguely familiar to me but drawing a blank on him.  (no pun intended)  I guess with itunes a track of his comes for free. (I use Winamp) Mr. Scruff, as he describes himself, is a cartoonist/DJ/producer/tea drinker.  I found out about this guy today being another British DJ under the same record label as Wagon Christ.  Mr. Scruff too has an album in the works for 2011.
After doing some research on Mr. Scruff, I can tell you he is very busy.  Not only does he make really great electronic dance tracks, sometimes leaning on the silly side, he also does all his own art work and cartoons to go along with albums/videos/concert sets.  On top of that he sells tea.  Yes, he is very into drinking tea, those kooky Brits.  Anyways, what a great discovery.  Check this guy out his website it is pretty fun.    

Mr. Scruff--Sweet Smoke

Mr. Scruff--Kalimba

Mr. Scruff--Music Takes Me Up--ft. Alice Russel

Mikey's Pick--Wagon Christ

Today I found out that Wagon Christ (Luke Vibert) is putting out another album this year and has released one track off the album.  The album "Toomarow" wil be released early this March.  I almost forgot about Wagon Christ, it being that it's been awhile since he has put out an album under that name.  He goes by many different aliases other than Wagon Christ.  

Here is the new track along with a couple older favorites:
Wagon Christ--Manalyze This

Wagon Christ--Shadows

Wagon Christ--Nighty Night

Mikey's Pick--The White Stripes

Today, The White Stripes ended their career as a duo rock n' roll band.  This is no surprise to me since they have both been doing extremely well solo, but saddening all the same.  I love Jack White and everything he does but his work with The White Stripes was magnificent.  The only real bummer about this whole thing is that I never was able to see them live! The band gave this warming statement: "The White Stripes do not belong to Meg and Jack anymore. The White Stripes belong to you now and you can do with it whatever you want..."  Good news!  Jack then stated that The White Stripes will continue to release previously unreleased material.  In honor of Meg and Jack enjoy these tracks from a fantastic band.

The White Stripes--Icky Thumb

The White Stripes--My Doorbell

The White Stripes--Death Letter LIVE!!!

The White Stripes--Jolene LIVE!!!