Hey everyone, since I’m totally strung out in preparation  for graduation, just wanted to give you a quick mix. I’ve been out for a bit, so I’m gonna give you the accelerated version. As I occasionally do, here’s a little stream-of-consciousness mixtape of my recent musical findings.

(On the go? Here’s the entire mix as a ZIP file [zShare].)

First, from a fantastic compilation a friend of mine picked up in Northampton, just a slice from what is one of the grooviest collections of funk I have ever heard. Get it. Dance.

• MP3: Vibes Alive – “The Spoken Word (Remix)” from The Best of Cookin’

Positive vibrations ongoing. Upcoming Song of the Day on this next band soon. Their album is on frequent rotation over here–though I hear “it’s been out FOREVER!!!”…

• MP3: School of Seven Bells – “Half Asleep” from Alpinisms

Speaking of shameful neglegence–Midlake. Apparently, I missed out on these guys a bit at the time, but seriously… SO good. SO underrated.

• MP3: Midlake – “Young Bride” from The Trials of Van Occupanther

A brilliant compilation with emotion to be had from every performer. Probably the strongest attempt at getting so many popular indie artists together like this.

• MP3: Andrew Bird – “The Giant of Illinois” from Dark Was The Night

I have no clue where this song came from but its texture gets stuck in my head.

• MP3: Lands & Peoples – “Isabella”

Hmmm…. this one is happier. Like… WAY happier. I mean, it has bells… as we’ve come to expect from these guys.

• MP3: The Boy Least Likely To – “A Fairytale Ending” from The Law of the Playground

Speaking of celebrating happiness, Wilco is always refreshing… and they never mind laughing at themselves. I’m unbelievably psyched for their upcoming album (*cross fingers* Late June), supposedly includes some form of this song.

• MP3: Wilco – “Wilco (The Song)” from The Colbert Report

Can’t wait? Check out Wilco’s new DVD out now!!!!!

• MP3: Wilco – “Ashes of American Flags (Live)” from Ashes of American Flags DVD

Wilco keys player, Mikael Jorgensen, has his own thing going too and his influence is clear.

• MP3: Pronto – “When I’m on the Rocks” from All Is Golden

Another band I feel is underrated, Akron/Family has been getting me anxious for their new album.

• MP3: Akron/Family – “River” from Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free

On the local side, these guys have been making great music down the street, and I wasn’t hearing it. Thanks Brendan!

• MP3: Magic Magic – “French Song” from Magic Magic

As always, Passion Pit deliver with a bite from their upcoming.

• MP3: Passion Pit – “The Reeling” from Manners

Here’s a solid 9-minute electro-journey to the inside of your brain. Grab a bunch of their stuff for free on MySpace.

• MP3: Death By Panda – “Passion Fruit” from Celebration

My Morning Jacket has been pumping out the soul on all cylinders recently. Remember, if you haven’t seen them live… do it.

• MP3: My Morning Jacket – “They Ran” live in Las Vegas

This is just a really great song. You got it right, Binky… you got it.

• MP3: Binky Griptite – “You’re Gonna Cry” from One Time, You’re Mine 7″

Fact: Soul Sides is without a doubt the blog I could not live without.This trippy GEM reminds me of the score from Fantastic Planet.

• MP3: Ian Carr’s Nucleus – “Roots”

There will be a new Lips album this year… hopefully this summer… I CANNOT F%#King Wait! A nice little outro…

• MP3: The Flaming Lips – “In Excelsior Vaginalistic” from the Christmas on Mars OST

Stay tuned for more. I have a lot to tell you.