A couple of weeks ago I was asked by some friends of mine to create a mix of California songs to accompany them on a road trip they're taking in August. It was surprisingly easy to find songs about Cali, but it made me wonder if it's so easy to find songs about all 50 states.

Some would say that the mash-up has seen its heyday. There are only so many ways you can combine pop songs with hip-hop to make creative and interesting ways to make a song. Listen to Girl Talk and you probably got a good enough idea of what a mash-up is. But then here comes Gutbucket Slim. A mash-up artist who asks the simple question: Why does a mash-up album always have to be constructed around hip-hop?

Miniature Tigers’ approach to pop music is simple. Hooks plus simple melodies and catchy choruses equals a solid song. With one album under their belts the band is anticipating the release of their new album, in stores July 27, and their first headlining tour. Charlie Brand, the group’s vocalist and guitarist, talked about the new album and playing live.

Denver’s own Mike Marchant just released the third volume in his Indulgent Space-Folk series titled Binary Beach. The six-track mini album features some great song writing and structure from one of the Mile High City’s most interesting musicians.

After a year of label negotiations and the tragic loss of Mike Linkous (aka Sparklehorse), the collaborative effort between he and Danger Mouse, Dark Night of the Soul, finally officially sees the light of day. The album, which features a star-studded cast of characters, is, for the most part, worth the wait.