Indiscriminate, random insanity in music videos is never a bad thing, and this week’s batch of music videos offer up plenty of eyebrow-raising WTF moments, both hilarious and horrifying. You’ll try to figure out the prerequisites for summoning your favorite musician if it’s as fun as it is to find Moby, want to join LCD Soundsystem even if it means going through the hazing, and wonder just what exactly Devendra Banhart’s sex life is like behind closed doors (on second thought, that one might not be at the top of your list). Also, this week includes the debut of our nomination for the best music video so far this year: Editors’ “Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool,” an intensely wrought animation epic with overt but non-intrusive social symbolism/commentary. After the jump, view all of our picks for best music videos of the past week, and let us know in the comments section if you agree.
In addition to the bigwigs (Blonde Redhead/Band of Horses) and mainstays (Woods/The Antlers), this week’s mix also features bands that have been under the radar because they’re either from across the Atlantic (Mystery Jets/Pony Pony Run Run) or just completely new to us. Get familiar with the next ten, and be sure to Right click + Save As the songs you like after the jump.
So maybe the origins of today’s national stoner holiday aren’t all that flashy (you have a group of kids from San Rafael High School who called themselves “the Waldos” and are now in their fifties to thank), but it still deserves a decent playlist. If you plan on inviting some friends over after work to “brainstorm”, check out our thirteen selections after the jump to avoid harshing anyone’s buzz. Enjoy!
Since next week is considered Spring Break by some and SXSW Week by others, this mix is fully stocked with airport jams, roadtrip jams, and for once you’ve reached your destination, chill jams. So to avoid silent awkward car rides or loud obnoxious passengers, don’t forget to right click + Save As — or save yourself some time and download the entire Flavorpill Mixtape here.
Let’s just say that this week’s mix features surprises. From breaking news (The New Pornographers, Broken Social Scene) to breakaways (The Apples in Stereo, Sia) to breakouts (Galapaghost, Barbara), the next ten tracks will give you even more of an excuse to curl up inside and avoid the nor’easter. Right Click + Save As if you prefer to order your music a la carte, or download the mix in its entirety here.
French website Grandcrew.com provides a growing archive of exclusive, professionally filmed concert videos, with artists ranging from Roots Manuva to the XX.
All of the site’s videos are available to stream instantly for free, with the option to skip from track to track making the interface even more user-friendly. Covering nearly every genre of modern music, Grandcrew offers a wide variety of the best performances to hit France, with plans to expand to cover all of Europe in the near future.
1. Allegedly Conan O’Brien has been told by NBC that he needs to either accept a move to midnight or leave the network. No wonder he’s not making any jokes. [via TMZ]
2. James Cameron has optioned Charles Pellegrino’s upcoming nonfiction book The Last Train From Hiroshima: The Survivors Look Back — which provides accounts from Japanese civilians and American pilots who experienced the atomic explosions firsthand — with his own personal funds. [via Variety]
3. “I’ve done a lot of stuff I’m really ashamed of.” – Michael Cera on breaking the law [via MTV]
4. An “audio sculpture” installation based on The xx‘s eponymous debut album opened at a London gallery last night. [via NME]
5. The new season of Big Love premieres on Sunday, and Bill Henrickson is running for public office. [via LAT]
A new year brings newly flipped leaves, new beginnings. However, this is a new decade. Does that mean ten different flipped leaves then? Ten spiritual rebirths? Or maybe that kind of thinking is just too long-term and you prefer living in the present, like us. And just like any other voracious early adopters, you need to satisfy your indie fix now. That’s what we thought, ergo, your latest Flavorpill Mixtape. Here’s to having your own private listening party with 10 new releases and many a reincarnation to help spur your own “winter awakening.”
