Annie - I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me (video), Mystery Jets (videos), The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name (videos), more

• Annie - I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me (video)
  Annie is back and looking amazing in her new vid, "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me", the first single off her forthcoming LP, tentatively titled 'Don't Stop', due out in late summer.
  
  
  
• Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down (video)
  OMG, what a hilarious 80s flashback video. Nice Flock Of Seagulls hair!
  
  
• Mystery Jets - Young Love (video)
  I don't think I've posted this awesome vid yet. I love how Mystery Jets sprinkle in references to their influences, like Television in "Two Doors Down" and Blondie in "Young Love". Contributor Laura Marling even looks a bit like a young Debbie Harry.
  
  
• The Ting Tings - Thats Not My Name (video 1) | (video 2)
  As with "Great DJ", the Ting Tings have two videos for their song "That's Not My Name". Can't wait for the album.
  
  
• The Long Blondes - Guilt (video)
  Kate looks delicious in that outfit and do.
  
  
• Sia - The Girl You Lost To Cocaine (video)
  This video is kinda bizarre. Sia is so goofy.

Labels: electronic, indie rock, pop, video

Coldplay - Violet Hill (MP3), CSS - Rat Is Dead (Rage)(MP3), The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (MP3), more

• Coldplay - Violet Hill (click and sign up to download)
  "If you love me, won't you let me know?"
  The first single from their forthcoming LP, 'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends', is available on their website. Well, I suppose I've ignored Coldplay since 'X&Y' (or actually since their 2nd LP), but this song is reason to pay attention again. The expansive guitar and exaggerated dynamics kinda reminded me of Doves, mixed in with familiar Coldplay elements like Chris Martin's piano and trademark falsetto. (Speaking of which, when the hell are Doves coming out with a new album? Hopefully, this year.)
  
  
• CSS - Rat Is Dead (Rage) (MP3)
  Hooray for new CSS! It's more alt rock/punk than their previous tunes, sharing more in common with Veruca Salt, Belly, or the Breeders than their dance rock counterparts.
  
  
• The Radio Dept. - Freddie and the Trojan Horse (MP3) | mirror
  With all the great music coming out of Sweden, The Radio Dept. still holds its place as my favorite Swedish band/artist, with The Knife and Jens Lekman as close runners-up (not to leave out Robyn, Shout Out Louds, Peter Bjorn and John, Jose Gonzalez, The Cardigans, The Sounds, The Hives, and ABBA). This is the title track off their forthcoming LP, 'Freddie and the Trojan Horse', a dreamy and contemplative blend of pop, synth rock, and psychedelia.
  
  
• Evil Dead - The Musical
  Wow, I really want to see this. Too bad it's only playing in Toronto. Come to Chicago (or at least to Broadway)!
  
  
• Jimi Hendrix Sex Tape
  Add this to the list of things I never want to see.
  
  
• Roger Ebert's Journal
  I don't always agree with his reviews. But it'll be interesting to read his daily ramblings on his new blog.

Labels: electronic, indie rock, mp3, video

Bento lunches as album covers, My Brightest Diamond (MP3), Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (video)

• Bento box lunches decorated as album art
  Forget Food Network. These are the coolest culinary creations you'll see all year. Link above goes to a Japanese blog dedicated to these bento box creations. Translation of some of these in the ensuing link: [via]
  
  
• My Brightest Diamond - Inside A Boy
  Shara Worden has a wonderful voice. She's been compared to Kate Bush, which is only a bit of a stretch. However, if this song is any indication, things on 'A Thousand Shark's Teeth' (the follow-up to her eclectic debut LP) will pick up where they left off.
  
  
• Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (video)
  Old people popping (or trying to pop) is funny. Just don't pop that joint outta place!
  
  
• Coachella by the Numbers
  LA weekly breaks down the numbers at Coachella, like gender of lead singers, ethnicity, indies vs. majors, etc.

Labels: electronic, humor, indie rock, mp3, pop, video

Kings Have Long Arms - Big Umbrella feat. Candie Payne (MP3 and video), The Roots - Birthday Girl (video)

• Kings Have Long Arms - Big Umbrella feat. Candie Payne (MP3) | mirror
  
• Kings Have Long Arms - Big Umbrella feat. Candie Payne (video)
  What a great vocal contribution from Candie Payne. This is the perfect lazy, happy summer song. If you enjoyed 'I Wish I Could Have Loved You', her 2007 LP, I would definitely check this out.
  
  
• The Roots - Birthday Girl feat. Patrick Stump (video)
  Definitely doesn't sound like a Roots song at first. But it ends better than most rock-rap fusion attempts. The video is long on innuendo (pun intended) but doesn't end exactly as you'd expect.
  
  
• Subway Crush
  Can someone make one for Chicago's "L"? It will prevent the need for Missed Connections on Craigslist or all-too-precious sites like this

Labels: hip-hop, mp3, pop, video

Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual (MP3), Mystery Jets (MP3), Orouni (MP3), I Love Math (MP3), Video Blitz: M83, Portishead, AC, Lupe, Usher, Robyn

• Wolf Parade - Call It A Ritual (MP3) | mirror
  Yeah, I'm late to the party. Here is some yummy new Wolf Parade to whet your appetite in the unlikely event you have not heard it yet. Gratuitously lifted from here.
  
  
• Mystery Jets - Young Love (MP3) | mirror
  Perfect song for summer frolicking in the fields chasing after your love... if that's your thing. I am digging most of the new Mystery Jets album, but I especially love this song, especially when Laura Marling's vocal comes in. I'll post the equally excellent Shoes Remix tomorrow.
  
  
• Orouni - A Greased & Golden Palm (MP3)
  Here's a nice submission from Orouni, who apparently hails from France. This here's a nice fanciful pop folk tune in the vein of Jens Lekman or Page France. Check it out.
  
  
• I Love Math - Josephine Street (MP3) | mirror
  Irresistible indie pop from Dallas, Texas. I guess it's not just "steers and qu..."
  
  
• M83 - Graveyard Girl (video)
  With M83, Neon Neon, Crystal Castles, and Hot Chip (to name but a few), there's a lot in the electro/electronic/synth pop realm keeping my ears busy. The new M83 album redirects the wonderfully dark energy of the previous LP into a much more upbeat offering, featuring lovely vocals from Morgan Kibby, lead singer of The Romanovs, who admittedly I know absolutely nothing about except the all too convenient Evanescence comparisons. Her voice fits perfectly with M83's neo-shoegaze soundscape. Too bad she's not on the first single/video. However, be sure to check out the LP and listen to "Kim & Jessie", "Skin of the Night", and "Up!"
  
  
• Portishead - Machine Gun (video)
  Do not listen to this on an empty stomach. Is it worth the 11 year wait? I think so, but I'm still digesting the album.
  
  
• Animal Collective - Water Curses (video)
  Mosaicized nonsense for your viewing pleasure.
  
  
• Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo (video)
  Every time I revisit Lupe's album, I am amazed at its quality and cohesiveness.
  
  
• Usher - Love In This Club (video)
  Catchy earworm is beginning to wear thin.
  
  
• Robyn - Who's That Girl (video)
  Did you know The Knife produced this song? No wonder I liked it so much right off the bat.

Labels: electronic, hip-hop, indie rock, mp3, pop, video

Download YouTube Videos as MP4 Videos, Sopranos Deaths (video), Simpsons Couch Intros (video), more

• Download YouTube Videos as MP4 Videos
  I didn't know that you can now download YouTube videos as MP4 videos, which allows for much improved quality over the standard FLV video file format. Use the bookmarklet below (drag it to your bookmarks or favorites); then, when you are on a YouTube page, use it, and you will see a download link appear under the video description area. Be sure to save as a .mp4 file. For info on how to set up the GreaseMonkey script, see the above link.
  
  Bookmarklet:
  Download YouTube Videos as MP4 Files
  
  
• Every Single Sopranos Death (video)
  Brutal, but mesmerizing.
  
  
• Every Simpsons Couch Gag (video)
  You'll go dizzy watching this!
  
  
• 20 respectable rock and rap acts that peaked with debut albums
  There are probably many more that could be included in this list (arguably Jimi Hendrix, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Liz Phair, Pearl Jam, Weezer, Violent Femmes, The Pretenders, Guns N' Roses, Oasis, The Orb, Moby, Eric B and Rakim, LL Cool J, Dr. Dre, Big Daddy Kane). I suppose even essentially one-album bands (i.e. The Sex Pistols) could be in the list as well.
  
  
• Marilyn Monroe Sex Tape
  Oh no she di'nt! Was it JFK? I guess we'll never know.
  
  
• Bob Dylan Finally Gets His Pulitzer. His What?

Labels: humor, video

El Madmo - GGW (MP3): Norah Jones' Secretive Side Project

El Madmo - GGW (MP3)

El Madmo derives its name from each band member: El (bassist/singer aka Handsome Band's Daru Oda), Maddie (guitarist/singer aka Norah Jones, yeah that Norah Jones), and Mo (drummer aka Handsome Band's Andrew Borger). The songs are a playful mix of indie rock, alt-country, pop, and punk. This will be right up your alley if you like Zooey Deschanel's recent collab with M. Ward, She & Him, although El Madmo is more unpredictable and cheeky. Combine that with a cleverly disguised Norah Jones looking hot and punky in a blond wig, fishnet stockings, and super hero get-up...it's hard to resist. Their eponymous album is coming out on Conor Oberst's Team Love record label on May 20. Pre-order it here. Cheeky lyrics ahead...



El Madmo - GGW Lyrics

Don't touch me
Don't play me
Or my little sister

Your breath is
Offensive
When you open your mouth

I'm not lonely
I just wanted a drink
You don't need to understand

You're dirty
Not sturdy
Don't you puke on my dress

Lay off me
I'm ____(?)
I don't want your number

I told you not to touch me
But I'll say it again
I guess you want to lose an eye-ai-ai-ai-ai!

I've got nails-uh!
You will bleed!
Ohhh Ohhhhhh!

I told you
I'm surly
Now go pick up your eye
Now go clean up your mess
Now I'll take that drink
Thanks
Buddy Boooy yeah

Labels: indie rock, mp3

Akon Calls T-Pain (video), Bjork - Wanderlust (video), Mike Gravel Covers Helter Skelter (video), more

• Akon Calls T-Pain (video)
  Butternut reduction. The best animated viral video of the year so far.
  
  
• Bjork - Wanderlust (video)
  Easily the best music video of the year. An imaginative and otherworldly adventure. It's certainly in Bjork's top five all time (and she has some damn good music videos).
  
  
• Mike Gravel Covers Helter Skelter (video)
  From a collaboration between rx (remember Bush's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"?) and Mike Gravel, the presidential candidate that time (and apparently voters) forgot.
  
  
• First, it was Madonna. Now, Jay-Z makes the recording industry sweat a little more.
  
  
  
• Flickr: The Defaced Presidents Pool
  This is pretty funny. True, Benji wasn't a president, but I'll let that slide. People featured on U.S. currency transformed into Spock, David Bowie, Kiss, and Adam Ant. Lincoln is convincing as an Aladdin Sane era Bowie.

Labels: hip-hop, humor, pop, video