Seu Jorge and Amadou & Mariam at Millennium Park, Chicago

Chocolate Swim EP, Brian Eno & David Byrne (MP3), Shapes and Sizes (MP3). more

• Adult Swim has a nice free EP: Chocolate Swim.
  Features Lady Sovereign and Mos Def.
  
  
• Brian Eno & David Byrne - Regiment (MP3)
  Hmm, the baseline resembles Biggie's Hypnotize. Funky stuff with ethnic flavor from two great musicians/producers.
  gyptian pop, cut up and spliced together to create a new blend of world music with electronica.
  
  
• Shapes and Sizes - Wilderness (MP3)
  Canadian pop is hot right now. Shapes and Sizes don't disappoint; check them out on the Asthmatic Kitty label.
  
  
• Arctic Monkey snubs Kate Moss
  
  
• Sleater-Kinney's last show is in Chicago for Lollapalooza

Beck - Girl (video), Arcade Fire news, The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma at Millennium Park, more

• Beck - Girl (video)
  Pretty cool video: the world as a series of giant fold-ins.
  
  
• Arcade Fire ready new album
  
  
  
  
• Last night, there was a terrific free concert featuring the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma at Millennium Park. I know nothing about world music, yet I was floored, as were most of the tens of thousands in attendance. Yo-Yo is a great ambassador for classical and world music. The night opened with a Chinese piece, then a Venetian canzoni, followed by other Chinese, Indian, and gypsy selections. It was quite an eclectic ethnic mix. The first highlight was Sandeep Das going crazy on the tabla on "Tarang". I swear he used all of his interphalangeal joints to play that thing. The finale entitled "Ambush from Ten Sides" was among the most phenomenal live performances I've ever heard, combining cello, viola, tabla, violin, bass, guitar, and various exotic instruments. For those that wouldn't leave (pretty much everyone), they entertained with at least two encores (I left before the second one concluded).
  
  Trust me, you don't want to see the garbage pictures I took with digital zoom.
  
  
• Obscure Sound has some live Radiohead goodies.
  Pretty good quality unreleased songs. Some of these are keepers.
  
  
• The Residents sell blank CDs.
  $15 for two blank CDs. What a deal! The concept is that they actually give you the material via download, updated every other week during the summer like an old-time radio show. A cool but somewhat aggravating task for fans.

No day 2 for me, New Fiona Apple (MP3), Free shows at Millennium Park

• Sorry, I didn't make it to day two of Intonation. Let's just say that next time, I'm gonna boil the spicy sausage before sauteeing it with my pasta. I know, TMI. Showers probably didn't help matters either, for those that were there. I invite you to check out Chicagoist's coverage.
  
  
• ONTD has a new song featuring Fiona Apple: Come On And Get It (Up In 'Dem Guts)
  Cringeworthy but hilarious. Let's hope this is not a new genre direction for her.
  
  
• Free shows at Millennium Park:
  Today (June 26): Yo-Yo Ma
  I don't know much about classical music, but any chance to hear the best cellist in the world for free is an opportunity not to be missed.
  
  
  
  June 29: Seu Jorge and Amadou & Miriam
  I remember fondly Jorge's hilarious renditions of David Bowie songs in Portuguese in Wes Anderson's 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou'. You bet I'm excited about this free show. Amadou & Miriam hail from Mali. They are a blind married couple who fuse Mali, African, French, and Syrian influences for a unique and funky world sound.

Royksopp - Remind Me (video), Pitchfork's 100 Awesome Videos, Intonation Music Festival, Lollapalooza schedule

• Royksopp - Remind Me
  Easily the coolest music video of the year. In fact, it almost immediately shoots into my top 10 of all time. I love the infographic overload.
  
  
• Don't forget to check out Pitchfork's feature: 100 Awesome Music Videos
  
  
• Intonation!
  Damn, Saturday's lineup kills Sunday's. If you're gonna be there, don't be a stranger. E-mail me.
  
  Where am I at Intonation? Shows I will probably be attending:
  
  Saturday
  3:10 p.m.: Jose Gonzalez
  5:20 p.m.: The Stills
  6:55 p.m.: Boredoms
  7:50 p.m.: Ghostface
  8:45 p.m.: Lady Sovereign
  9:20 p.m.: The Streets
  
  Sunday
  2:30 p.m.: Constantines (maybe)
  3:10 p.m.: Rhymefest
  3:45 p.m.: Annie
  6:15 p.m.: Jon Brion (maybe)
  8:15 p.m.: Dead Prez
  9:05 p.m.: Bloc Party
  
  
• Lollapalooza schedule is out!
  Damn them for scheduling Stars with the Editors, Lady Sovereign overlapping with Iron and Wine, Ween vs. Death Cab, Feist vs. The Go Team, Gnarls Barkley vs. Sonic Youth, Blackalicious overlapping with Dresden Dolls, Common vs. the Flaming Lips, Thievery Corporation vs. The New Pornographers. Day 3, it's pretty clear I'm going to Wilco, Broken Social Scene, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Chicagoland Stuff, 3kstatic, Spin DJ Short Film, more

• Well, I'm all moved into Chicago. I think I love the city. Everything except the parking. Damn expensive or non-existent. Anyway, here's the view from my studio near the Navy Pier:
  
  
  
  
  Night view:
  
  
  
• I explored Lincoln Park today. I found a parking lot where the first 45 minutes were free. So I ate my Boston Market meal faster than a school of piranhas devouring Mary-Kate Olsen, then ran to the barbershop, only to find out it was booked for the next hour. Oh well, made an appointment for tomorrow. I've been running around all day and still neglecting stuff I need to do before I start work. I was unable to make it out to the Taste of Randolph, which features Son Volt, The Bellrays, The Black Keys, and Toad the Wet Sprocket, among others. Hopefully, I have time to stop by tomorrow.
  
  
• All ye that live in Chicagoland, note these upcoming free shows!
  Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Bloodyminded, Oscillating Innards at Empty Bottle (Monday, June 19, 2006)
  
  Seu Jorge, Amadou & Mariam at Millenium Park (Thursday, June 29, 2006)
  
  And of course, don't forget Intonation, next week at Union Park!
  
  
• 3kstatic - Give Us Even More
  Not sure how to classify this. It lives somewhere between acid jazz, acid house, and muzak. It might be a worthy addition to your electronic playlist.
  
  
• Spin
  Great short film. Gives new meaning to "Last night a DJ saved my life."
  
  
• Remix the Barenaked Ladies.
  If I have time, I might try this contest.
  
  
• New Pixar trailer: Ratatouille
  
  
• Robots in heat
  Oh no they di'nt! NSFW?
  

  The sexed robots are autonomous wheeled platforms fitted with nylon genital organs, respectively male and female. They are programmed to explore their environment, occasionally entering a "in heat" mode, where they will try and locate a partner in the same state. If a partner is located, the robots will attempt to mate.

  
  
• The Monkey Chow Diaries
  Some dude tries to survive on monkey food pellets. Gross.
  
  
  
• USA! Let's go, gringos!

The Bird Flu Dance (MP3), New Broken Social Scene video

• Bird flu dance fever is sweeping the Ivory Coast.
  
  It has also spawned a future dancehall hit:
  1Dance and Sample King - Bird Flu
  
  This begs the question, how do you actually do the Bird Flu Dance? While we await a definitive tutorial, here are some YouTubers eager to show us how it's done
  
  
• Broken Social Scene - Fire Eye'd Boy
  This awesome new Broken Social Scene video has a Wes Anderson meets American Idol feel to it. So put aside your locker room fears and watch!

Number Stations, New Regina Spektor video, Cold War Kids (MP3), Iceland's next big thing?

• Number Stations
  Shortwave radio. Strange music. Strings of numbers. What does it all mean? While no one knows for sure what information is being transmitted by number stations, it's speculated that it is a way for spy organizations to communicate with their operatives. A very interesting read at the above link and here.
  
  I found the original number station clip that Wilco used for their "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sample". It is quite intriguing. I love the woman's accent, but I wonder what the hidden message was.
  
  The original Yankee Hotel Foxtrot sample
  Credit to The Conet Project.
  
  
• Regina Spektor - Samson
  This song is lovely, and the trippy video only enhances my appreciation of it. I must admit, I am really getting hooked on Regina's new album. You will too when it finally comes out next week.
  
  
• Cold War Kids - The Soloist in the Living Room
  Man, I love the drums in the intro. Toobad the song is so short. The Cold War Kids hail from Cali. The lead singer sounds like Walter Martin of The Walkmen, which I guess isn't a bad thing.
  
  
• At the recommendation of the Sigur Rós site, I checked out Iceland's next big thing: Jakobínarína. Say that 10 times fast. Haven't yet decided if I like it or not (there's only one song clip).

Bjork in Street Fighter (video), Bobby O'Donnell - United Creations (crazy megamix MP3), Curious GWB (video)

• Bjork in Street Fighter
  OMG, this is a must-see. Don't mess with Bjork!
  
  
• Bobby O'Donnell - United Creations (MP3)
  This is seriously an almost all-inclusive megamix:
  Trip-hop? Yup. Alternative? Check. 80s? Got it. Mash-ups? Uh huh. Detroit? Yeah. Jungle? You betcha. New wave? Yes. Pop, Big Beat, Gangsta Rap, and lots more. You get the idea.
  
  Here's the source. Some songs are improperly attributed and some things are misspelled. I've made a few corrections. One of the risks of making a mix to appeal to all comers is that it will appeal to no one. Well, I certainly appreciate the effort. Hats off to this guy.
  
  Intro - Brian Cant Camberwick Green
  1. Sneaker Pimps - How Do
  2. Kate Bush - Runnin Up That Hill
  3. St Germain - Rose Rouge
  4. Dj Muggs and Tricky - For Real
  5. Coldcut - Beats and Pieces (Kola Kid mix)
  6. Go Home Productions - (Smile Remixed)
  7. Miss Kitten and the Hacker - Kopfstand
  8. Mory Kante - Yeke Yeke
  9. Swing Out Sister - Break Out
  10. Mr Scruff - Sweet Smoke
  11. R.E.M. - Loosing My Religion
  12. Sneaker Pimps - Suger is Sweeter (Armand Van Helden remix)
  13. The Avalanches - Electricity (remix)
  14. Aphex Twin - Windowlicker
  15. Thomas Dolby - She Blinded Me With Science
  16. Propellerheads and DJ Craze - Big Dog
  17. Audio Bullys - Face in the Clouds
  18. Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus
  19. SL2 - On A Ragga Tip
  20. Brooks - Roxxy
  21. Lemon Jelly - Nice Weather For Ducks
  22. Manic Street Preachers - Repeat (US)
  23. LTJ Bukem - Horizons
  24. DJ Zinc - Reach Out
  25. The Cure - Boys Don’t Cry
  26. Zero 7 - Destiny (Roni Size remix)
  27. Roni Size - Murder Dem (instrumental)
  28. Beatles vs Radiohead - A Day in the Life of a Karma Policeman
  29. The Avalanches - Electricity (Harveys edit)
  30. Go Home Productions - Beastie Boys Come Together
  31. RJD2 - Loose Ends
  32. Sneaker Pimps - Six Underground
  33. Chemical Brothers - Exit Planet Dust (intro)
  34. Mike Theadore Orchestra - M (intro)
  35. Fields of Nephilim - Moonchild (intro)
  36. Bill Hicks - Puppet People
  37. Grandmaster Flash - The Message
  38. Bill Hicks - Send in Vanilla Ice
  39. DJ Shadow - Hardcore Hip Hop (Beats only)
  40. Ganga Kru - Super Sharp Shooter
  41. Goldie - Inner City Life
  42. Tears For Fears - Inner City Life
  43. Eric B and Rakim - Paid in Full (Coldcuts 7 minutes of madness mix)
  44. Focus - Hocus Pocus
  45. UNKLE - Without You Im Nothing (Beats only)
  46. Sixtoo - Chainsaw Juggler
  47. Danny Breaks - The Jellyfish
  48. Max Tundra - Lysngie
  49. Billy Squire - The Big Beat
  50. Soul II Soul - Keep On Moving
  51. The Smiths Vs The String Quartet - Heaven Knows Im Miserable Now
  52. Bran Van 3000 - Old School
  53. Beastie Boys Vs Kraftwerk - Intergalactic Robots
  54. Jurassic 5 Vs The Doors - Golden Peace
  55. DJ Shadow - Organ Donor (Intro)
  56. DJ Vadim - Children Of The Deepfreeze
  57. T.V. on the Radio - Walking The Cow
  58. Rae and Christian - A Different Invitation (Beats Only)
  59. Renegade Soundwave in dub - Holgetron
  60. DJ Zinc - Voodoo
  61. David Bowie - The Man Who Sold The World (Intro)
  62. David Bowie - Magic Dance (Intro)
  63. Angelo Badalementi - Twin Peaks Theme
  64. Pink Floyd - Another Brick in the Wall
  65. Elliot Smith - A Question Mark
  66. DJ Shadow - Six Days (remix feat Mos Def)
  67. DJ Shadow - Six Days (Soulwax Remix)
  68. Bomb Da Bass - Bug Powder Dust (Kruder and Dorfmeister Remix)
  69. DJ Food - Spiral
  70. Bill Hicks - Fevered Ego’s
  71. Fields Of Nephlim - Moonchild (Intro)
  72. West Street Mob - Breakdance Electric Boogie (Beats)
  73. N.W.A. - Express Yourself
  74. Jurrasic 5 - Jayou
  75. Dizzie Rascal - Fix Up Look Sharp
  76. System Of A Down Chop Suey
  77. Placebo - Daddy Cool
  78. Ludus - Let Me Go Where My Pictures Go
  79. Roni Size - Child Of The West
  80. Manic Street Preachers - Love’s Sweet Exile
  81. Motorhead - The Ace Of Spades
  
  
• Curious GWB (video)
  Well, 50 praised W as a gangsta. Here's his debut video.

The Onion on M.I.A., Busta Rhymes mp3, Itchy and Scratchy archive, more

• The Onion weighs in on M.I.A. Being Denied a Visa to Enter the U.S. Hilarious stuff.
  
  
• Busta Rhymes - You Can't Hold the Torch (MP3)
  More from Busta Rhymes' 'The Big Bang' LP. This features Q-Tip and is produced by the late J Dilla (RIP).
  
  
• Quite the archive of Itchy And Scratchy Episodes
  
  
  
  
• Cockeyed.com is auctioning 100 New Friends on MySpace
  A great way to feel popular without actually being so.
  
  
• Nada Surf - What Is Your Secret - Live @ Sonic Boom Records
  Pretty good rendition.
  
  
• How Hot is the MacBook?
  
  
• Lily Allen unveils debut album
  
  
• Play Original NES Super Mario Bros. in 3D