Gabrielle’s Outlook, Music — By Gabrielle Clark on November 24, 2009 at 2:07 pm

If you’ve watched a car commercial in the past decade I guarantee that you’ve heard something of mr. Scruff’s.

Andy Carthy is a British DJ and musician who chose his stage name from the state of his facial hair. He has gained most of his renown for being featured in car commercials and various television spots. mr. Scruff has been active since 1994 and released his latest album this year.

His genre varies widely, encompassing anything from jazz, hip-hop, electronic, funk and soul, or combinations of them, making a truly awesome sound. He really likes tea, and has a reputation as being the DJ with the tea shop. Carthy also draws the most adorable album art for all his CDs, most of which feature fish, another of his favorite things.

He’s released six studio albums to date, his first one, the eponymous “Mr. Scruff”, released in 1997, “Keep It Unreal” released in 1999, Trouser Jazz released in 2002, “Mrs. Cruff”, a redo of mr. Scruff with more tracks, released in 2005, “Ninja Tune”, released last year, and “Bonus Bait”, released on February 9th of this year.

I’ve heard his music tons of times, but I only found out his name a few days ago after hearing something of his one night last week. The jazz tones he uses are exquisite, and he uses elements of the aforementioned trip-hop and electronica to compose his tunes.

My personal favorites include “Get a move On”, which has been featured in commercials for Volvo and Lincoln (and has a wonderful saxophone loop), and most recently, a bump for the Adult Swim segment of Cartoon Network, “Spandex Man”, featured in top Gear, and “Trollmarch”, an upbeat song with nice drums mixed into the electronic sound that sounds something out the Looney Tunes universe.

Most of his music is available for free listening at imeem.com/artists/mr_scruff/, and his website is at mrscruff.com.

1. Cougar: Rhinelander — Crossing progressive, technical rock with ethereal, Gregorian chant-like vocals qualifies this Madison, Wisconsin-based 5-piece band for the title of “alternative.” Stream the track below or download the MP3 from RCRD LBL.

2. Jeremy Fisher: Scar That never Heals — Super feel-good harmonious sunshine about a mysterious gun-running lady.

3. Citay: Careful With That Hat — Hailing from San Francisco, Citay recalls the city’s sound of 40 years ago perhaps moreso than of today’s. great vocal harmonies and psychedelic strains infuse the jam-rock track you can download for free at the Fader.

4. Polvo: right the Relation — You don’t need a perfect SAT score to enjoy Polvo’s brand of surreal math rock. Check out a new video from the Chapel Hill, North Carolina quartet below.

5. Festizio: Every Now and Again — Right-click to download this track from San Francisco’s Festizio, who you can also check out on Facebook.

6. Elizabeth & the Catapult: Taller Children — Fun video for a track that reminds us of something important about “growing up.”

Elizabeth & the Catapult :: TALLER CHILDREN

elizabeth & the catapult | MySpace Music Videos

7. Field Music: Measure — Combining Beatles-esque harmonies and hooks with strings and acoustic guitar, this duo of brothers from Sunderland, England offers a free download at Spinner.com.

8. Dream Pilots: Comedown — Check out the video from the Norwegian rockers’ track “Comedown” below, or right-click for a free download courtesy of Quality Junk.

9. Brian Jonestown Massacre: who killed Sgt. Pepper? — the new album from the psychedelic San Franciscan alt-rockers won’t be officially released until January 1 of next year, but you can stream the entire thing now at the band’s website. [via Rock on the Streets]

10. Grizzly Bear: Ready, Able — This insane claymation video from Brooklyn’s experimental rock outfit Grizzly Bear is like Gumby on acid, with a wistful ethereal soundtrack.

Really, you should be listening to music every day, but thanks to Twitter, Monday has become the best day of the week to discover new songs, show some love to the tune currently dominating your iPod playlist and quietly judge the listening habits of your closest friends.

Yes, it’s #MusicMonday, one of Twitter’s most enduring trending topic. and since we’re all big fans of the site — not to mention music — we decided it was time to get in on the act, too. so, for the first time, we’d like to present “MTV News’ #MusicMonday,” a weekly look at the songs we’re obsessing about here in the Newsroom. and given that this is our big debut, we’ve recruited a big-name talent to help us out: “American Idol” champ Kris Allen.

So, here’s what’s on our playlists right now.

Kris Allen, “American Idol” Season eight Champion: “I might be biased, but there’s a couple of songs on the new Switchfoot album that I really like. [Ed. note: Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman co-wrote a song on Allen's album.] ‘The Sound’ is really good. I think it’s Jon Foreman’s voice and the way he sings. He can sing nice, but he can also go up there and sing that rock voice, or he can scream and stuff. It’s cool.”

Jocelyn Vena, MTV News Pop Music Writer: “I am listening to Lady Gaga’s ‘Bad Romance.’ I just think it’s really catchy. She’s got that battle cry in there and it shows her growth as a pop star. It’s her, but taken to a new level.”

James Montgomery, MTV News Rock Editor: “I’m listening to the Flaming Lips’ song ‘Watching the Planets.’ the video just premiered a couple of weeks ago, and it’s got a bunch of naked hippies in it. It’s the last song on their Embryonic album, which is one of my favorite records of the year. I really dig the harsh, lo-fi thing — it sort of reminds me of the Folk Implosion’s ‘Natural one.’ and it’s a really good ending to a really confounding and deep record. and it’s got Karen O screaming on it.”

Tom Hanks comes to New Orleans for opening of new WWII Museum theater and 4-D documentary film

November 4th, 2009 NEW ORLEANS — Tom Hanks is scheduled to be there when the National World War II Museum in New Orleans debuts the war film he produced to immerse audiences with all their senses in key battles. The film “Beyond All Boundaries” will be shown exclusively at the museum’s new Victory Theater, which includes elements billed as “4-D” such as wind and shaking seats to accent vintage footage from Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Bulge playing on a 120-foot-wide screen.

Pearl Jam Say Goodbye to Philadephia Venue In Style

November 3rd, 2009 Rockers PEARL JAM became the latest act to close a fabled music venue on Halloween night (31Oct09) when they performed the final show at the Wachovia Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The group played four sold out nights at the Spectrum and closed the venue with a three hour-and-35-minute set.

John Still Too Ill For Stage Return

October 27th, 2009 SIR ELTON JOHN is still too ill to return to his touring duties – the singer has cancelled another concert as he battles a nasty bout of influenza. The superstar was forced to scrap gigs in Sheffield and Newcastle, England on Friday (23Oct09) and Saturday (24Oct09) after doctors ordered him to rest up.

Dr. No Dies at 91

October 21st, 2009 JAMES BOND’s original nemesis DR. NO has died – the actor JOSEPH WISEMAN passed away on Monday (19Oct09).

Cornell Reunites Temple of The Dog at Pearl Jam Show

October 8th, 2009 Grunge supergroup TEMPLE OF THE DOG briefly reformed in Los Angeles on Tuesday night (06Oct09) when CHRIS CORNELL joined PEARL JAM onstage. The former Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman formed the band in the early 1990s with the musicians that were to become Pearl Jam – and they released one album.

Austin City Limits Festival – The Big Stink

October 5th, 2009 Music fans who attended the third and final day of this weekend’s (02-04Oct09) Austin City Limits Music Festival in Texas were left filthy and smelly when heavy rain obliterated the Zilker Park site, and brought sewage to the surface. according to local newspaper the Austin-American Statesman, organisers have shut the park down for two weeks as they work to revamp newly-laid grassland ruined by festivalgoers.

Vedder & Pearl Jam Rock Austin All Weekend Long

October 5th, 2009 PEARL JAM took over Austin, Texas at the weekend to celebrate their first number one U.S. album in 13 years with a trio of showstopping appearances.

Pearl Jam Return to The top of The U.s. Album Chart after 13 Years

September 30th, 2009 PEARL JAM have scored their first U.S. number one album in 13 years by ending JAY-Z’s run at the top of the charts.

Affleck and Garner Plan Another Movie Collaboration

September 30th, 2009 BEN AFFLECK and JENNIFER GARNER are making plans for their first movie collaboration in six years. The couple first met on the set of 2001 movie Pearl Harbor but didn’t start dating until they were reunited for 2003 film Daredevil.

Bernal ‘legalise Drugs’

September 3rd, 2009 GAEL GARCIA BERNAL has called for the legalisation of drugs in his native Mexico – to end the country’s bloody civil unrest. The Motorcycle Diaries star is adamant the majority of street battles in the North American country are sparked by the trade in illicit narcotics.

MJ’s mum ‘devastated’ over bitter court battles

August 23rd, 2009 LONDON – after losing two bitter court battles, Michael Jackson’s mother grieving mum Katherine is at breaking point. On Friday, Katherine, 79, failed to stop plans by entertainment giant AEG to cash in by exhibiting her son’s personal items.

Matthews Pregnant

August 18th, 2009 former CATATONIA frontwoman CERYS MATTHEWS is pregnant with her third child at the age of 40. The Welsh singer already has two kids with ex-husband Seth Riddle, who she split from in 2007 after four years of marriage.

Daisy Lowe’s cervical cancer scare

July 21st, 2009 WASHINGTON – English model Daisy Lowe lived a nightmare after being faced with a cervical cancer scare earlier this year. The daughter of singer Pearl Lowe and Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale learnt she would have to undergo surgery after pre-cancerous cells were found during her routine check-up in may.

Japan’s royal couple head to Canada, Hawaii to reach out to Japanese immigrants

July 3rd, 2009 Japan’s royal couple head to Canada, HawaiiTOKYO — Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko hope to reach out to Americans and Canadians of Japanese ancestry during a two-week tour that began Friday, but they won’t be going to Pearl Harbor. “Both Canada and the state of Hawaii are home to many people of Japanese ancestry,” Akihito said in a statement ahead of the trip.

Jackson’s shock death may start long series of legal battles, says lawyer

June 27th, 2009 LONDON – The Jacksons’ family lawyer Brian Oxman has said King of Pop Michael’s sudden death at the age of 50 could be the start of a long series of legal battles. While on CBS’s Early Show, Oxman said the remains of his fortune, his property and his children could all be fought over in court, reports Sky News.

Simultaneous North American Musical Performance Aims to Promote the Benefits of Making Music for Everyone and Kicks off NAMM’s National Wanna Play Music Week In May

CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ — NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, announced today that it will join the Coalition for Music Education in Canada in its sixth annual Music Monday event May 3, 2010, to demonstrate the importance of music education programs throughout North America, and to celebrate the many proven benefits of playing music for people of all ages.

The two organizations are encouraging schools and after-school programs, organizations, groups and individuals across the U.S. and Canada to participate in Music Monday by either performing the designated Music Monday piece or a song of their choice at the exactly the same time on May 3.

The song will be sung and played by all schools and participants across the U.S. and Canada at 10 a.m. Pacific time, 11 a.m. Mountain time, 12 p.m. Central time, 1 p.m. Eastern time and 2 p.m. Atlantic time, and 2:30 in Newfoundland. NAMM is also encouraging people to pick up any instrument of their choice and play anytime on that day.

NAMM has supported the Coalition for Music Education in Canada’s Music Monday event since its inception in 2004. This is the third year that NAMM has hosted this galvanizing event in the United States and featured it as the kick off event for its “National Wanna Play Music Week.”

The number of North American schools participating in this annual event has grown to more than 2,000, representing nearly 700,000 students.

“This partnership highlights the many benefits that music making brings to our children and to our schools,” said NAMM President and CEO Joe Lamond. “We hope to see more countries join in to support music education around the world.”

Help grow participation in this event and register your school or organization as a participant in Music Monday by e-mailing musicmonday@namm.org. Upon your registration, NAMM will provide you with a free support kit specifically created for schools, after-school programs, groups or organizations to implement a Music Monday event in your community. To learn about past U.S. Music Monday events, or to find a music store or music lessons in your area, visit wannaplaymusic.com.

This year’s Music Monday song will be announced shortly by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada. Many arrangements of the designated song will be added to the Coalition for Music Education in Canada’s Web site at musicmonday.ca by the end of the year.

As a not-for-profit association, NAMM has supported research to examine the effects of music on children and adolescents. The studies have shown that playing music positively affects the development of cognitive skills in children and teens. The activity also builds confidence, instills self-discipline, increases productivity and helps kids and teens connect socially with their peers.

Studies specifically show that playing music:

• Develops skills needed by the 21st century workforce: critical thinking, creative problem solving, effective communication, and teamwork
• Keeps students engaged in school and less likely to drop out
• Improves the atmosphere for learning
• Helps communities share ideas and values among cultures and generations
• Provides a sense of belonging for teens
• Gives teens the freedom to be themselves, to be different, to be something they thought they could never be; to be comfortable and relaxed in school and elsewhere in their lives
• Helps adolescents release or control emotions and coping with difficult situations such as peer pressure, substance abuse, pressures of study and family, the dynamics of friendships and social life, and the pain of loss or abuse.

This year, NAMM is encouraging more U.S. schools and organizations to sing and play together and heighten the public’s awareness about how music education empowers children with important tools such as creativity, achievement and social engagement. Many schools across the country have cut music programs because of lack of funding and cannot offer students the proven benefits associated with hands-on musical training.

About Music Monday

Music Monday is hosted annually on the first Monday of May in North America by the Coalition for Music Education in Canada and the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). The special event demonstrates an appreciation for music in our lives and in our schools. Many schools, along with community and professional organizations, perform one piece of music at 10 a.m. Pacific Time, 11 a.m. Mountain Time, 12 p.m. Central Time, 1 p.m. Eastern Time, 2 p.m. Atlantic Time and 2:30 p.m. in Newfoundland. The performance is intended to transcend all genres and unite people through the melody and the act of performing the piece at the same time. The idea is that if one were to open the front door of his or her home and stand on the street on the first Monday in May, one would hear music and the skies would be filled with melody. For more information, visit musicmonday.ca.

About NAMM

NAMM is the not-for-profit association that unifies, leads and strengthens the international musical instruments and products industry. NAMM’s activities and programs are designed to promote music making to people of all ages. NAMM is comprised of approximately 9,000 Member companies. For more information about NAMM or the proven benefits of making music, interested parties can visit namm.org or call 800-767-NAMM (6266).

MEDIA CONTACT: Kymberly Drake Scott Robertson, APR Public Relations Manager Director of MarCom NAMM NAMM 760-438-8007, ext. 162 760-438-8007, ext. 102 Fax: 760-438-8257 Fax: 760-438-8257 kymberlyd@namm.org scottr@namm.org

1. Glam.I.Rock: Empty Ave. — Catchy beats and liberal use of the Auto-Tune plug-in make this a hot track on The Sixty One right now. Stream it below or head on over and download it.

2. Jay-Z: Empire State of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys) — The third single from Jay-Z’s latest album The Blueprint 3: you can stream the track below courtesy of LaLa, or pick up a copy of the album for $1.35 (streaming only) or $7.99 (MP3 downloads). [via The Music File]

3. The Hood Internet: Two Weeks of Hip Hop (Grizzly Bear vs. Dead Prez) — We featured a great fan-made video for the Grizzly Bear component of this hip-hop mashup in the Rock and Pop Edition of Free Music Monday. Snag a download of this hot remix courtesy of Pasta Prima. [via Hype Machine]

4. DOOM: Unexpected Guests — Stream the entire album of Doom’s compiled best B-sides and collaborations at Spinner this week.

5. BLVD: Music For People — Download this four song sampler from San Francisco’s genre-bending BLVD, mixing up hip-hop with rock and electro.

6. Hydroponiks: Strife feat. Anika — Great descending acoustic guitar hook with Hydroponiks’ wordsmithing and sultry vocal break from Anika. Stream it below.

7. Mudkids: Ride — Right-click to download a free track from this Midwestern positive-vibe hip-hop group out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Check out more about the artist on their MySpace page, YouTube channel and Twitter account.

8. Gift of Gab: The Writz — Takes an irresistible hook from Irving Berlin’s Puttin’ on the Ritz from the 1930 film score and overlays Bay Area rapper Gift of Gab’s prodigious lyrical talent. He’s been referred to as “a walking encyclopedia of MCing styles;” stream the track below.

9. Poe Picasso: Exhibit B: Manifest Destiny — Snag a free download of the entire album from this Brooklyn-based hip-hop artist, featuring an interactive digital album booklet with lyrics, photos and more.

10. M.I.A.: Paper Planes — This track from the 2009 BET Awards’ Best Female Hip-Hop Artist was featured in the soundtrack for the 8 Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionare. Stream it below.

Paper Planes – M.I.A.

Happy November everybody! Shake off that Halloween hangover because we’ve got some awesome new albums due out this month.

But first, as you may have heard, Adam Lambert debuted his new single, “For Your Entertainment,” on Ryan Seacrest’s radio show this past Friday. If you haven’t heard it yet, check it out on his official site here.

Now I may be a little biased since I voted for him a gabazillion times when he was on American Idol, but I absolutely love this song. I mean it’s actually good, right? Maybe now we can forget about the “Time for Miracles” debacle and actually look forward to the album again.

Due out November 3rd, Morrissey’s latest album, Swords, is a compilation album featuring the B-side tracks of his hit singles from the last five years. Now if you’re thinking that an album full of secondhand songs doesn’t sound too promising, you’d be wrong.

Moz is arguably at his finest since rejuvenating his solo career in 2003, and I’d be as bold to say that some these tracks could are just as noteworthy as anything he created with The Smiths.

And just for all you Smiths fans, initial releases of Swords will include an additional disc of eight live tracks recorded live in concert in July 2009. This bonus disc includes a rendition of the Smiths anthem “You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby,” which was also released on another B-sides collection, The World Won’t Listen.

In support of Swords, Morrissey is bringing his ongoing world tour to the U.S. with nine West Coast performances. The U.S. tour kicks off in Seattle on November 29th with more U.S. gigs expected to be announced for late 2009.

1. Meiko: Boys with Girlfriends — Right-click to grab a free download of this tune from Los Angeles-based Meiko’s self-titled album courtesy of the folks at MySpace Music, and be sure to check out the artist’s page and follow her on Twitter.

2. Nate Davenport: Guess this Is Goodbye — Snag this free 320 Kbps MP3 download with a right-click as well. Find out more about San Antonio, Texas-based Nate Davenport and pick up his debut album Sweet Disaster on iTunes or from CD Baby.

3. Sarah McLachlan & Emmylou Harris: Angel — In celebration of the seminal all-female music festival returning in 2010 after a protracted absence, the Lilith Fair is offering a free recording of McLachlan’s track performed by the Canadian chanteuse and the country legend. You’ll have to sign up for the Lilith Fair newsletter to get the track download link. [via Totally Free Music]

4. Patty Griffin: Mad Mission — Classic plaintive tune from the distinctive folk goddess’s first album. Check out the stream below.

5. Joe Purdy: Andrea — Topping The Sixty One’s Folk charts is this guitar and keys ode to Andrea, embedded below.

6. Quincy Mumford: All We Need Is — Find some funk-tinged singer-songwriter goodness in the playlist from Jersey Shore artist Quincy Mumford below, and snag a free download of the first track from Bandcamp.

7. Sheila Nichols: Songs from the Bardo — After a stint on the major label scene and a track on the High Fidelity soundtrack, artist Sheila Nicholls pulled away from the industry to continue writing songs and recording on her own timeline over the next 5 years. The result is this new album, streamed in its entirety below and available for download from Bandcamp.

8. Joel Plaskett: Through & Through & Through — Check out the video to this tune from this Canadian singer-songwriter below and grab a free download by right-clicking this link courtesy of MapleMusic Recordings. Touring and recording almost constantly for the past 15 years, Joel was recently hand-picked to open Paul McCartney’s gig in the former’s hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

9. Ash Koley: Mary the Inventor — Another Canadian, Ash Koley and musical partner Phil Deschambault bring their quirky pop to you courtesy of Nettwerk (right-click here for the free download). Stay tuned next Tuesday November 10 for the release of her new EP, The White EP, available on iTunes.

10. Ashley Arrison: Last of My Goodbyes — Splitting her time between LA and her hometown of Nashville, TN, Ashley blends Americana charm with influences ranging from Sarah McLachlan and Trisha Yearwood to James Taylor. Check out the video of Last of My Goodbyes live below, and find out more about the artist on her official site.