More Great Videos Of 2009

Here are a couple more sent in by readers, just in time to ring in the new year. First up is Modest Mouse's "Whale Song", with some interesting stop-motion:

"Whale Song" for Modest Mouse from Bent Image Lab on Vimeo.

And Dan Deacon's "Paddling Ghost" has a nice DIY feel to it:

There you go, both better than Time Magazine's top videos, especially the Kanye one. Well done!

Tonight: Pale Divine At The Pageant

I've been looking forward to this reunion show. Here's their video for "My Addiction", from their Atlantic Records debut. And a live video from Kennedy's, when they were still known as the Eyes. And where I saw them approximately (using Old Skool mathematical equating and a quick consultation with Stephen Hawkings) 1,643 times:



You can read about what everyone has been up to at the RFT here.

Mark Gormley Fans Rejoice! A New Video For The New Year!

A new video will be released on January 8! And will feature Mark, and a somewhat good-looking girl walking on the beach eating Cheeto's! Damn product placement. But hey, Mark needs to stay in the lavish lifestyle he's grown accustomed to, so I guess it's OK. Here's the teaser video:

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the gas station to pick up some Cheeto's...

Devo Sends Seasons Greetings To All Old Skool Readers

Here's a little something I convinced my friends in Devo to whip up just in time for the holidays:

White Stripes Tour Doc "Under Great White Northern Lights" Coming In March

I wonder if Jack and Meg will ever do any more White Stripes stuff. In the back of my head I keep thinking that ship has sailed, and that's why Jack has so many other projects going. Seems to me that I heard about Meg having stage fright and not wanting to tour anymore, but it could be that I imagined it in a sweat lodge as I was trying to call upon the great spirits to come upon me to reveal the Great Secrets, or dreamt it after eating spicy food.

More than likely this is some kind of "contractual obligation" deal, but it sure is better than a live CD, or a greatest hits.

And for all you rich folk out there, you can also have the whole thing as part of a mega-box set that will have the DVD of the film, a DVD of the Stripes' 10th anniversary show, a live album (A-HA!), a 208-page book, a silk screen print, and a body part of choice from one of the Stripes. That last part may or may not be true, but there's only one way to find out. Pre-order here.

Tim Conway's Circus Elephant Story

One of the great shows of the 70's was the Carol Burnett Show. And one of the best parts about it was watching how much fun everyone was having, especially when they lost it and were trying not to laugh. Yesterday, in honor of Tim Conway's birthday, my friend Jeff sent this, and it's too great to not post:

Happy birthday, Tim. Thanks for making me laugh until I was crying.

Alicia Keys Featuring Stephen Colbert: Empire State Of Mind

Stephen Colbert is at the top of his game. Here he even makes this Alicia Keys song better. Love the suit-hoodie:

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Ministry: Thieves

Hard to believe that this track, and the album it came from, A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste, is 20 years old. One of the heaviest concerts I have ever seen was Ministry at the old Mississippi Nights. There were so many guitarists, and people were hanging on the chain-link fence that was in front of the stage. It was awesome, and feral.

Also hard to believe that I was 23 when I saw that concert. Someone bring me my walker... AND GET OFF MY LAWN!

Snoop Dogg's Take On "How The Grinch Stole Christmas"

Man, I hate to admit it, but that Jimmy Fallon is getting better. His interview with Snoop was much better than Conan's just earlier last week. Here's Snoop, adding his own special magic to this timeless tale:

Time Magazine's Five Best Videos Of 2009

1. This must be true, because it was in Time magazine.
2. You are about to be on the cultural tip, part of the popular vernacular. Congratulations, and please use your powers for good.
3a. If you release a kick-ass video in December, you are going to be screwed and over-looked.
3b. Entertainment Weekly has already published a retrospective of all the celebrities that passed away in 2009. If you are a celebrity, please stay alive through the end of the year (see 3a).

#5 Lady Gaga "Bad Romance"
This strange person was everywhere this year. A break-out year, whether you like her or not. For the record, I think she has some good songs, but also think she is dangerously close to believing her own hype and either self-destructing or becoming a parody of herself. Madonna, you have been out-Madonna-ed, with a touch of "Total Eclipse Of The Heart". Also: Ahhh! Hairless cat! Bad synchronized dancing! Breasts that shoot sparks!


#4 Kanye West "We Were Once A Fairytale
Speaking of an artist that has become a parody. Note to Kanye: shut up and let the music do the talking, fool. A strange video. On the list because Spike Jonze had Kanye act like an ass, and for no other reason. Here's the first part, if you want to see it. I found the whole thing unbearable.

And the second part:

Really, Time magazine, cultural barometer? Really?

#3 Land Of Talk "It's OK"
NOW we're getting somewhere! A video for a band that I've never heard of before. This must be good.

And surprise, it is! Wow, pretty stunning.

#2 Depeche Mode "Wrong"
Disturbing, and a great video. Please watch here, since they are afraid of us ripping off the song and then the record company drones will not make their numbers and have to figure out another way to make obscene amounts of profit. Note to the big record companies: YOU LOST. THE LONG TAIL WON. SUCK IT.

#1 Raekwon "House Of Flying Daggers"


Well, what did you think? I've posted a lot of videos this year that I thought were better than most of these. Here are three:

Gnarls Barkley - Who's Gonna Save My Soul from Chris Milk on Vimeo.

WOOD from mc bess on Vimeo.

What are some of your favorites? Let us know, and we'll post them if they pass the Old Skool Muster.

Silver Trembling Fetus Christmas Ornament

Ah, it felt good writing that. Looking for that perfect gift for that special someone? Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips has just what the doctor ordered:

Erin McKeown And Jill Sobule: Live At Off Broadway

Here's a little treat. I wanted to go to this show to see Jill Sobule, being disappointed that I missed out on a house show she was at a while back, but it was not to be.

And then I started listening to Erin McKeown after being turned on to her by NPR's All Songs Considered, and went to look her up. You know, see if there are some videos out there of her, decide if she would be someone I'd like to see live sometime.

And the first video I clicked on after getting to Erin's site was from Off Broadway, from less than a month ago (11/30/09), with Jill and Erin singing together a song they made up about St Louis! So here it is, the sound is a little overloaded at times. Enjoy:


I guess I won't be seeing her back here soon. Ah, bittersweet, this find. But that's a lot of coincidental connect the dots, don't you think?

What Is Your Secret?

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

Hmmmm...

Interesting.