Toro Y Moi aka Chaz Bundick may be emerging from the same pool as Memory Tapes and Washed Out. However, his choice of hazy textures and lo-fi synth pop seem to tell us bits of his life story. Whether it’s the not-so-clear memories of college parties (which is demonstrated in his video, “Blessa”) or just chilling on a sunny afternoon with nothing to do, Bundick’s ways of sliding slices of funk into his massaging beats bring us back to those days when we all used to groove so naturally. Even though we have more responsibilities as we grow older, the music of Toro Y Moi does a fantastic job of capturing all those memories we can’t necessarily reminisce through clarity of the mind but through those warm and relaxed feelings that were tucked inside the soul.

Check Toro Y Moi and his music below in our BeatCrave Fav series and see if you end up feeling that way as well!

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The Air Force Reserves versus The White Stripes. Who ya got?

In a statement posted on the Third Man Records website, The White Stripes have charged the Air Force Reserves with copyright infringement regarding the song “Fell In Love With A Girl,” which the Stripes, their label and their management claim was used without permission whatsoever for a TV advertisement that aired during the Super Bowl.

Click below for Third Man’s statement.

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For some reason, Audi’s Super Bowl ad has become one of the most controversial topics in regards to the message they were sending out. Unlike the Vizio VIA TV commercial, Audi’s highlight on making a Green lifestyle “feel right” came across loud and clear as the “Green Police” were arresting people left and right for using plastic bottles and grocery bags, not composting orange rinds and using foam cups.

However, what we at BeatCrave find most interesting is that the ad not only featured Cheap Trick’s classic, “Dream Police,” but that the band themselves had re-recorded a version just for the ad turning it into an environmental anthem.

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There were plenty of commercials during the Super Bowl last night with musical guest appearances including KISS, T-Pain, Will.I.Am., and even Stevie Wonder (in the previously mentioned Volkswagon/Grizzly Bear ad). Most of them were well-received based on levels of humor or cleverness. However, not all of them were accepted by viewers and critics. Vizio, who had a one minute spot for its new VIA TV and started their ad with Beyoncé singing “Sweet Dreams,” was a severe hit or miss.

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While the post-wardrobe malfunction world we live in seems guarantee that no one under 60 will ever, ever play a Super Bowl Halftime set again (hey, we all love The Who, but ouch), the music licensing surrounding the game is beginning to sound a little more comfortable in too-tight jeans and drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon, if not nipple shields.

The music of indie rock standard bearers such as Arcade Fire and Grizzly Bear both made appearances in last night’s telecast of Super Bowl 44, with Arcade Fire doing a good deed and Grizzly Bear doing a… well, they sold some Volkswagens.

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By the time Pete Townshend hit the last chords of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” it should have been perfectly clear The Who had every intention of making their 12 minutes in the Super Bowl halftime spotlight a rock n’ roll, good time for all. Just as Townshend mentioned in January, the Super Bowl set-list was a mash-up of Who classics: “Pinball Wizard,” “Baba O’Riley,” a snippet of “See Me, Feel Me” from Tommy, “Who Are You” and “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

It was about as safe a set-list The Who could have put together. In any other situation there might be more grumbling here, but for the corporate behemoth that is the Super Bowl – it all worked out rather nicely.

Now, let’s get to the highlights….

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Kanye West has laid down low for the most part after he embarrassed himself along with Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards last year. Some say he went to India. Some say he even died (obviously, not true). His blog was spared of all the caps he liked to pound out in posts which were infamous for long rants. Some say this unusual silence from the rapper turned auto tune-singer has almost given him redemption, but his ego’s stigma still has an effect on others.

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As Super Bowl XLIV looms closer, we’re not only wondering if it’ll be the New Orleans Saints or the Indianapolis Colts who claim the championship trophy, but whether or not The Who are going to kick ass during the halftime show.

Joining The Who for Super Bowl Sunday will be Carrie Underwood, performing the “The Star Spangled Banner,” and Queen Latifah, who will sing “America The Beautiful” during the Super Bowl XLIV pregame show.

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We know we’ve deprived you from our BeatCrave Favs for a little bit, but we’re happy to say the series is back in full effect! So without further ado… We’ve picked out favorite artists of the week. Now it’s your turn to pick yours!

Is your favorite Those Darlins, the trio who makes country sound more like punk (listen here)? Is it the incredible banjo master and soulful Bluegrass crooner, Olentangy John (listen here)? Is it Blair who reminds us of Liz Phair’s greater days (listen here)? Or do you enjoy local experimental rockers, Vanaprasta (listen here)?

The number one voted artist will be eligible for our BeatCrave Fav of the Month poll! So support your favorite band and vote for them in our BeatCrave Fav Poll!

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