In my quest to bring you a new commercial every week, I’ve begun to start hunting by artist to prove that no one is safe from the boob tube. When I found this AT&T Valentine’s Day ad featuring Ryan Adams’ “Gonna Make You Love Me,” I had to post it — mainly because I have a hard time picturing Adams being cool with this, but also because he’s fucking crazy. Where did your blog go, Mr. Adams? Please come back.

MP3:

I know you’re upset. I’m one day late. But after spending days and nights arguing the definition of a mix with the Stranger, I came to the conclusion that, alas, Meow Mix was not a mix. This is partially my fault - I never really intended it to be a mix, but rather a collection of some songs I’ve been listening to in the past week. And if I’m lucky maybe there a couple of bands in there that you’ve never heard of before. After all, that’s the only reason to come back, right? Anyways, we shall never speak of Meow Mix again - from this day forward I declare Meow Mix to be Meow Picks.

This week’s episode includes The Bar-Kays “Soul Finger,” a track off the funktastic Superbad soundtrack, and Lykke Li’s “Dance Dance Dance” (because people need to be reminded how good her music is after this). The Ruby Suns “Kenya Dig It?” caught my attention because of the fact that it sounds like it belongs in an Animal Collective or Panda Bear album. And finally, I need to give a special thanks to ipickmynose who posted Iver’s “Skinny Love” a few weeks ago and reminded me of how much I love that song. Ennnnnnjoy.

MP3s:

After grabbing some Nick’s Crispy Tacos (tasty, tasty) I headed on over to the Red Devil Lounge Thursday night to hear a triple header of Bay Area electronica. The genre isn’t something I listen to on a regular basis, but I don’t mind the occasional mellow of Boards of Canada, Squarepusher, Thievery Corporation or Air. As a matter of fact this was only my third live experience.

Fluorescent Grey started the night with an impressive set of experimental. The layering of atmospheric sounds formed a sublime aural masterpiece with complex rhythms that had Indian influences. It wasn’t something that I imagine you would dance to, but rather something you approach as you would the viewing of a painting in a gallery. Not to mention that he commanded the mixer as if he were a classical pianist tickling the ivories. More »

Like I’ve said time and again, Stones Throw Records just refuses to put out anything remotely bad. Check out this live performance of Ethiopian jazz legend Mulatu Astatke and DJ Shadow’s former backing band, The Heliocentrics, live in London earlier this year:

Mulatu Astatke & The Heliocentrics - Yèkèrmo Sèw [Live 4/17/08]

If you haven’t heard it, check out The Heliocentrics 2007 album, Out There. If you’re into Sun Ra Arkestra, or any trippy jazz, funk or psychedelia, you’ll eat it up with a spoon.

MP3:

One of my current favorites covering a favorite from my angsty teenage days? Sounds too good to be true, but it’s not. A recording of Spoon covering The Smiths’ “Panic” from a recent show found it’s way onto the internets, and we’ve posted it here for your listening pleasure.

God, one of the things I love about Spoon is their ability to cover a song faithfully, while still making it their own (see: “Peace Like a River,” “Don’t You Evah“, “Tear Me Down,” etc.).

MP3s: