Things you might not know about but you probably should: Music Edition vol.1

As we said prior, our goal here at Bushwood is to enlighten you on the finer things in life. Whether that's movies, music, television, beverages, or the best place to find underground goldfish races in San Diego,our goal is to improve your quality of life by making it more awesomer.

With that being said the first edition in this ongoing series will be about the time honored tradition of music. I don't think that makes sense now that I wrote it, but you get the point. I'm not going to pretend that any of these bands/artists are unheard of nobodies, but they might be to you. If they're not, let us know what you dig or don't dig about them because this is America and the Internet so you can say those things without fear of having your hands cut off.

On with the show, you'll find a selection from each in the handy player below. Now continue reading.

Matisyahu: Matisyahu is an American Hasidic Jewish reggae musician. Go ahead and read that again, I can wait. Now that you've had a chance to process that, let me confess this: I don't really like reggae nor am I Jewish. That does not mean that I haven't done the impaired white man dance to Bob Marley at island themed events, or ever turned down a high stakes dreidel game. Regardless of any of these things, this is music I can firmly get behind. A wicked sick lyrical flow and simplified beats highlight Matisyahu's talents, even if you don't like drinking Red Stripe with your latke cakes.

Grab these: King Without a Crown, Glavanize w/ The Crystal Method

Crash Kings: If I had a theme song that played when I walked down the street I would want it to be Mountain Man by Crash Kings. Best described as what Maroon 5 would sound like if they weren't terrible, this trio from Los Angeles brings the thunder with only a bass guitar, piano, and drums. Opening for Chris Cornell,The Stone Temple Pilots, and The Bravery should help give you a better idea of their sound. Once you listen tho I promise you you'll be thinking one thing, I want that for my theme song too. Go ahead, we can share.

Grab these: Mountain Man, You Got Me

Fanfarlo: How Fanfarlo haven't turned up in a movie starring Michael Cera or directed by Wes Anderson is a mystery to me. Fanfarlo wreaks havoc with violins, pianos, guitars, trumpets, those washboard things people in cults use to clean their clothes in rivers, and God knows what else. Fitting snugly into the Indie Rock genre, they bring a unique sound that puts their British roots on display. These crazy snaggle toothed kids have success written all over them.

Grab these: Harold T. Wilkins, The Walls Are Coming Down which has a sweet video

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: If before you listen to Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros your first see a picture of the band, you might think to yourself "Huh, I didn't know they gave homeless people recording contracts." But this visual train wreck comes together to create something that must've been teleported here from 1976, but works amazingly well. Part The Doors, part Fleetwood Mac, and all original in 2010, you need to hear it to possibly get it. But I guarantee Home rekindles your interest in whistling.

Grab these: Home, 40 Day Dream

Phoenix: Yes, 1901 is that song from the Cadillac commercial. And yes, if anyone from Cadillac is reading this I would gladly take a free one, but i want an old one like Doughboy's. Phoenix is French but we're not going to hold that against them because frankly, they're wicked. It's like indie-rockish music was thrown into a blender with synthesizers and The Killers, and out comes a delicious jamming smoothie.

Grab these: 1901, Lisztomania

So there it is, the first installment in an ongoing series to make your life more enjoyable. Spread the word.

Judge Smails