This is a geek dog whistle, see if you can hear it...

That's not even real footage from anything, and I'm already like Michael J. Fox in his dad's hardware store. Wait, what's that? Oh, music...right. Umm, here...

the Long Blondes - "Nostalgia"

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 01:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Last night, R.E.M. put together an altogether impressive performance on the Comedy Central linchpin The Colbert Report.

I've heard nothing but positive reviews for their latest album, Accelerate. Still, I've got the sneaking feeling that it's just a bunch of long-time R.E.M. fans that are sick of saying bad things about one of their favorites.

So far, I've only heard the first single, "Supernatural Superserious". It's certainly embodies the "return to rock" aesthetic that has been floated around, which is a nice change from the "boring Beach Boys" feel of the last two albums. Thankfully, unlike on Monster (R.E.M.'s other "return to rock"), it doesn't seem like Peter Buck has thrown away his bread-and-butter "jangly" guitar for Accelerate.

Interview:

I was really hoping that Colbert would take the "comeback" angle further and call out R.E.M. for their last two (or three) sub-par albums.

R.E.M. - "Supernatural Superserious"

It took me about sixteen years to figure this out, but Mike Mills might be my favorite male back-up singer.

Posted by Randall Monty at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ugh.

Posted by Merry Swankster at 12:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

How much do we love M.I.A. right now?

So much.

How willing are we to happily play along with her very aggressive PR blitz?

So willing.

M.I.A. - "Jimmy"

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know it's technically Retro video day, but how could I resist? Plus the malevolent, car in the desert theme carries over nicely from the end of the previous post.

P.S. Did you realize that Liars are opening for Interpol at Madison Square Garden. What the hell is Liars playing to a huge stadium crowd going to look like? It boggles the mind...

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since rainy Mondays are meant for staying inside (I'm assuming you're not using your wi fi connection mid downpour) and bathing in the glow of something or another, I give you the certainly not exclusive, but nonetheless delightful video for Welsh band Los Campesinos' euphoric podcast runner up, "You! Me! Dancing!"

Los Campesinos - "You! Me! Dancing!"

Gloom dissipated, yes?

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 01:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

What? What? What? It's more minimal nonsense?

Knock! Knock! It's more minimal nonsense!

Release Date for their self titled DFA debut set for 8/28.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 08:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

T. Rex - "20th Century Boy"

Numerology inspired homage to big haired Marc Bolan.

Posted by Merry Swankster at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This was buried, so it bears repeating.

Brakesbrakesbrakes - "Pineapple or Porcupine"

Posted by Merry Swankster at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I felt like posting these, what are you gonna do about it? Huh?

That's what I thought...

Portishead - "Sour Times"

Animal Collective - "Winter's Love"

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 01:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Judging from the still not quite triple digit You Tube views of the first five parts of the comprehensive Kiwi rock doc Heavenly Pop Hits: the Flying Nun story, not that many people out there are too excited about the fabled sounds of hobbit land. However, I know that the few people who do care, really, really care, so screw it. Here's the end of the film that wasn't available when I put up my first ecstatic notice. Part 6 here picks up right where Friday's post left off, with a discussion of a living made through shilling your tunes through Aussie soap operas.

If you've not seen the first five, then by God go back. We'll wait...

Part 6

7-9 plus some more excellent Flying Nun mp3's after the jump. If anyone out in TV land has an mp3 of Stephen Malkmus covering the Verlaines "Death and the Maiden" that was featured in Part 3, please do let me know...

Continue reading "Heavenly Pop Hits, continued" »

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 09:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

!!! (minus the excess) plus Talking Heads plus, yes, Luscious Jackson = Datarock "Fa fa fa"

Shake it!

Posted by Keith O'Brien at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Live, via Satellite from London, thanks to the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's Friday, I'm in love with YouTube...

I could easily save this Gadzooks! level discovery for a Wednesday Retrohump column, I really couldn't wait that long, and besides, there are so many morsels of goodness in here that it would take me days to set them aside and catalog them for you. Besides, I'm basically about to give you an entire documentary, so there's going to be very little I could say that's going to increase your collective knowledge level any further.

Ladies, gentlemen, antipodean pop enthusiasts one and all, I give you in its entirety, a story we have only shown in glimpses, here, here, and here. Oh, and here.

Kiwi rock history 101, or as the producer's called it, Heavenly Pop Hits: the Flying Nun Story (the first 30-40 minutes of it anyway, I'll throw up the rest if it appears).

Part 1

Part 2-5 and some mp3's beyond...

Continue reading "Heavenly Pop Hits" »

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 03:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip - "Thou Shalt Always Kill"

Good advice for the most part.

Posted by Merry Swankster at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A bit back I put up a performance video of this same song, but since we're still not remotely tired of it, here's the official clip. It's a nice piece of work.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

White Stripes - "Icky Thump"

Posted by Merry Swankster at 02:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Possibly the leading Summer Jam contender all over A: My apartment, B: Maura Idolator's car, C: Slightly behind the times sections of Norway, D: Nowhere else. The video gives us a bit of the ol' behind the scenes whatnot.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As nice as it to see our man step out from behind his DJ set-up, it's also leading to some early morning confusion at MS HQ. Is the Brazilian TV editing just odd enough to make it seem like Gui is simultaneously laying down New Order guitar riffs and manning the wheels of steel? Does their nefarious house music clone attack have anything to do with left over technology from WWII German expatriates? Why am I still awake?

Original post on one of the year's best songs, here

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 01:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The minimalism! The nonsense! The boots and shorts combination! Dear God, the boots and shorts combination!!!

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 07:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 07:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Björk - "Declare Independence"

Björk (short) Interview (Denver Post)
Björk Live @ Coachella

Tourdates after the jump.

Continue reading "Video: Björk "Declare Independence" Live @ Coachella" »

Posted by Merry Swankster at 01:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

High quality live footage from two of MS's most highly anticipated debut records of 2007. It's too nice outside to spend time being really in-depth, but I think the title sums it up, no?

Prinzhorn Dance School - "You are the Space Invader

(via FACT Magazine)

Prinzhorn Dance School - "You are the Space Invader"

// Prinzhorn Dance School - website

These New Puritans - "En Papier"

These New Puritans - "En Papier"

// These New Puritans - website
// These New Puritans - MySpace

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While our site's humble patron is entrenched in the Coachella wilderness, hoping to stumble across his next Daft Punk level performance to stammer on about for a year, it's worthwhile to note that the robots' hometown is doing a more than decent job of providing its own successors to their shiny (perhaps blinking) crown.

Justice - "D.A.N.C.E."

The heir apparent in this race is clearly Justice. This other Paris duo has a similar knack for crafting straight to the pleasure center thrills of remarkable purity. This track has been blowing minds for the majority of the year, but it just didn't sound right in the harsh of winter, somehow. Now that the sun is peaking out ever so slightly, its boom-box supremacy will be assured. Also, with the slick dynamic shifts and "damn, I wasn't sure they could top themselves" progression here, it might have the ability to withstand the "I loved it for the first sixty times, but on listen sixty one I never wanted to hear it ever again" factor better than a more repetitive song like Dance Punk's own "One More Time."

This video that recently hit YouTube for the finally released single (the album doesn't hit until July) might be slightly unfinished. It's almost impossible to sit around and wait for the 100% version when the 95% version kicks such formidable ass, though.

Justice - "D.A.N.C.E."

the Teenagers - "Homecoming"

Although less explicitly dance oriented, I think that the breezy pop of Discovery tracks like "Digital Love" is a fair comparison. Not the only comparison that springs to mind, however. Lyrically, maybe a much filthier version of that "Tell Me More" song from Grease? A degenerate (and more musically subtle) make over of Nada Surf's "Popular," perhaps? I described it on Prefix as a really poppy M83 track mixed with the letters from Penthouse Forum, which comes awfully close. You can discuss whether the language used is plainly misogynistic, or excusably satirical mock misogynistic, but the melody doesn't demand debate. Their hometown is often billed as London/Paris, so the part of the dirty Brit is accordingly voiced by a "so fake it might be real" French accent.

As to the widely posted (but still worthy) video clip, imagine an appealingly cast porno circa 1974 that's magically directed by Sophia Coppola. Is that something that might interest our demographic? Seems like that might have wide appeal.

the Teenagers - "Homecoming"

I take it everyone else has noticed the waves and waves of superior dance music coming out these days? It's fairly remarkable. Expect a Springtime Dance Party of, hopefully, not quite so ubiquitous songs later next week.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 02:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Because some of you have revealed yourselves to be 'shroom freaks in the comments boards, I figured I might as well dose you with the new video for "23," the title track off Blonde Redhead's new album. Expect image trails, colored light and a (very fleeting) sense of fulfillment.

Blonde Redhead - 23

Blonde Redhead - Spring And By Summer Fall

// Blonde Redhead - 23 - Buy.
// Blonde Redhead - Site.
// Blonde Redhead - Myspace.

Tour dates after the jump...

Continue reading "Video: Blonde Redhead - "23"" »

Posted by Koren Zailckas at 04:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While we are on the subject of 1990 era insanity, here is a rather painful video of the exact moment in time when crowd surfing jumped the shark. (Hat tip - YBK)

Bob Dylan interrupted

Posted by Merry Swankster at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Thanks Koren

Just because

Paranoid Android

Smells Like Teen Spirit

Posted by Keith O'Brien at 10:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Because Pelle Carlberg appeals to both my Swede pop sensibilities and my tendency to love and insult people at the same time, I give you the video for "I Love You, You Imbecile," off his new album In a Nutshell.

And sure, okay, the blog-o-nerds have roughed up Mr. Carlberg (formerly of Edson) for sounding quite a bit like Belle and Sebastian... But, then, Belle and Sebastian is like Easter chocolate: Precious. Sweet. Irresistable. Let's indulge until we puke a little bit.

Pelle Carlberg - I Love You, You Imbecile

Pelle Carlberg - Clever Girls Like Clever Boys Much More Than Clever Boys Like Clever Girls

// Pelle Carlberg - In a Nutshell - Buy.
// Pelle Carlberg - Site.
// Pelle Carlberg - Myspace.

Posted by Koren Zailckas at 09:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Handsome Furs - "Dumb Animals"

First video from upcoming Plague Park. The Wolf Paraders scout another trail. A dark, creepy and sinister one care of Dan Boeckner.

Posted by Merry Swankster at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I believe we've already enthused sufficiently about the loveliness of Electrelane's upcoming No Shouts, No Calls. Here is some visual reinforcement.

P.S. This would make an excellent DJ selection...

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 06:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

It's videos of cover versions day apparently, as a post over on the Prefix blog alerted me to the thrilling prospect of James Murphy covering Joy Division during this weekend's sold out two night Bowery Ballroom stand. I snoozed. I lost.

It's a bit hard to see what's what, but it is definitely LCD Soundsystem covering Joy Division, which is enough.

LCD Soundsystem - "No Love Lost"
(Joy Division cover, live at the Bowery Ballroom)

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 05:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I lucked into a ticket for one of Of Montreal's two recent Irving Plaza shows at the last minute, and was pleased as punch to take in all the sublime oddity. I was however saddened to learn that I had missed the previous night's cover versions of songs by personal favorites the Fiery Furnaces and David Bowie. Well, it's some small consolation that a tree no longer falls in the woods without grainy footage and shoddy audio to commemorate the thud.

Of Montreal - "Tropical Iceland"
(Fiery Furnaces cover, live in Birmingham, AL, 2/23/07)

Despite some muddled stage banter, and a mild case of the infuriating "You Tube-out-of-synch-audio syndrome", the quality of the footage aint so bad. As they've been playing this faithful version of "Tropical Iceland" with some regularity, a smattering of MP3 rips have found their way to the web. With varying degrees of audio fidelity, you can try here, here, and here. Twice, the Talking Heads "And She Was" will be slyly inserted, once it will not. Suspense...

Of Montreal - "Moonage Daydream"
(David Bowie cover, live in San Diego, 1/30/07)

Kevin Barnes sounds almost exactly like ol' Blue Eye here, although the fuzzy sound might be cutting him a bit of slack. I will say that OM's style of glam is a closer representation of the Ziggy Stardust sound and presentation then you'd get at an actual current Bowie concert. That and there's probably going to be a foam rubber crab hand. Not in this vid, but lurking backstage, ready to pounce/pinch, no doubt.

Of Montreal - "Starman/ Hang on to Yourself"
(David Bowie covers, live in Chicago, 3/15/07)

And just to prove that he could play the entirety of the Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars if asked, we get a double bill of "Starman" and "Hang on to Yourself" less than a month ago in Chicago. The sound here is synched and decent, although the far away camera work is shaky. It cuts out just as things in "Hang on to Yourself" are really launching off, Barnes shaking his ass and devouring the guitar solo. On the plus side, by then you'll be seasick and ready for it to end.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There are a few things you need to know about Elephant Parade:

1) They are Estelle and Ido. (For this purpose, they do not have surnames. Their first names sound fake, but presumably aren't.)

2) They make twinkly, lo-fi pop that's cuter than a basketful of Labradoodle puppies.

3) You cannot abbreviate Elephant Parade to E.P. because it confuses people.

For example: If I tried to tell you that E.P. just pressed a new batch of Bedroom Recordings, their homemade LP, you’d be like, "Wait, does this band have an LP or an EP?" And I'd be like, "No, E.P. has an LP." And then finally, you (easily bewildered thing) would throw up your hands and say, "Koren, it's Sunday afternoon. I am profoundly hungover/residually drunk and you have confused me with your reckless word-shortening.”

4) Also know: E.P. has made their first ever music video! It's for "Goodbye," which, like the very best break-up tunes, is fragile and melancholic...with just the smallest hint of passive aggression.

And because this is our first time discussing E.P. at M.S., I’ve tacked on a couple of my favorite Elephantine tracks.

Don’t say I never charmed you.

Elephant Parade - For You

Elephant Parade - Friday Night

// Elephant Parade - Bedroom Recordings - Buy.
// Elephant Parade - Site.
// Elephant Parade - Myspace.

Posted by Koren Zailckas at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You Tube is strange. Things pop up years after they were originated, without more than a sentence or two for context. So, even though this is a three year old performance of even older songs, I almost have to consider it "new" because outside of Mexico, who's seen it?

A quick Wikipedia check tells us that the channel responsible for broadcasting this Radio 3 session is state sponsored TVE2, Mexico's second federally run television station which plays to a college audience by featuring off-beat American shows like Six Feet Under and Veronica Mars. That programming scheme seems pretty reasonable, but Xiu Xiu concerts? No wonder its routinely on the bottom of the ratings scale. Say what you will for the merits of state run media versus the free market, but the free market has little room for marginal art.

Anyway, the footage...

Xiu Xiu - "Suha"
(Live, Conciertos de Radio 3)

Though his detractors often express distaste for the over the top nature of Jamie Stewart's performance, what's always struck me coming out of a Xiu Xiu concert (I've seen three, I think?) is the complete commitment he gives to even the most ear damaging noises or embarrassing sentiments. If it's all an act, he's a hell of an actor.

Xiu Xiu - "Poe Poe"
(Live, Conciertos de Radio 3)

I may be a weirdo, but I think that the completely disinterested, almost passive aggressive way Caralee McElroy hits the mini cymbals is kind of hot.

Xiu Xiu - "Crank Heart"
(Live, Conciertos de Radio 3)

it's easy to miss the humor in Stewart's off putting lyrics, but the line "You were so cool/ Your high school colors/ were black and light black," is still pretty hilarious.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 01:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'll admit that I'm not exactly a pioneer for having my interest piqued by Ohio band, Times New Viking, but sometimes you just get hit in the face by something a million times before the light goes off that you should actually check it out. So the Matador signings, Fluxblog mentions, and comparisons to my beloved 80's Kiwi rock scene all surprisingly made no mark, but today's Pitchfork review claiming similarities to Drag City era Pavement was more than I could bear.

I give...

Times New Viking - "Let Your Hair Grow Long"

Here's the band making a racket in some parking lot in Austin. The ultra washed out picture is a great match for the low fi bashing somehow. Like the sound is so fuzzy that it can't be correctly photographed.

// Times New Viking - MySpace
// Times New Viking - ...Present the Paisley Reich buy

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 02:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Further solidifying our leap onto the Panda bandwagon. This one is a special treat for anyone who's been long waiting to see an Other Music clerk take a shower. A very rare fantasy indeed...

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new, live video from our best-loved Brightonians, who know even God is "fucking bored" on Sundays.

// Brakes - Beatific Visions - U.S. release on May 8th.
// Brakes - Give Blood - Buy.
// Brakes - Site.
// Brakes - Myspace.

Posted by Koren Zailckas at 07:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

From the Throne of Blood label launch party, via 'Sup Magazine

My review of the night over at Prefix.

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 02:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This week finally saw the release of Back Numbers, the smexy (that's "smart" + "sexy") new album by Luna lovebirds Dean & Britta. I suggest we celebrate by either: a) dusting off the dry ice and disco lights, b) dancing with our eyes closed, c) driving our VW bugs around sharp, urban street corners, or d) watching this new video which incorporates all of the above. Understated and hilarious. I post it entirely for the moment (1:40) when a backlit Dean Wareham turns to face the wind machine.

...Oh Britta, you give us the hots. And Dean, dear, you give us the giggles.

Previously:
Dean & Britta - Live @ Mo Pitkin's, New York City - 1.9.2007

Posted by Koren Zailckas at 04:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bit busy out here in the blog factory, but it'd be a shame to let our recent updated every day streak fall by the wayside. So, we do what we do every time we're unable to post in depth. Lean on You Tube for all its worth.

At least this is pretty new, and not completely ubiquitous...

the Rapture - "Pieces of the People We Love"

The most purely enjoyable track from the album of the same name gets the glossy vid treatment, and it's all class. I offer the caveat that my girlfriend is appalled that the leggings that have marred the wardrobe of many a Brooklyn girl have now infiltrated our stylish video clips where they'll live in infamy for all time. You're gonna regret it ladies...

Posted by Jeff Klingman at 05:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Pierces - "Boring"

Sundays are for sexy slithering sultry slinky sexpots sick of stodginess whether in showy splendor or simple standard.

Posted by Merry Swankster at 05:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)