Director Rich Lee used the work (seen above) of photo-realistic sculpter Ron Mueck as inspiration when he directed this lovely video for Essex indie band Mumm-Ra.

This is a visual representation of what happens when life imitates art.



To hear more from Mumm-Ra, visit their MySpace Page

After seeing this video I was almost convinced this was Sylar's new band. Or at least I did a double take.



The band is called The Foals and lead singer Yannis closely resembles Sylar from his bushy brows, to his facial features, but neither Sylar nor actor Zachary Quinto who plays the Heroes villain is British like Yannis.

I'm digging the Foals, especially this song "Hummer" on which Yannis is screaming "I command!" Sylar also likes to be in command, but there are no heads being sliced open here.

Be sure to check out the Foals on MySpace.

And watch 'Heroes,' Monday nights on NBC!

Abdominal "Breathe Later"

Holy crap, it's a throwback Rap attack! Somehow pasty Canadian emcee Abdominal (who has collaborated with former Jurassic 5 roadie turned producer DJ Format) has managed to put together a really dope True-School Rap album. It's called 'Escape From the Pigeon Hole.' It features production from Cut Chemist, Young Einstein (of Ugly Duckling), DJ Format, Bird (of Western Hemisfear fame?) and others. And it's out now on the Do Right! Music label. The track "Breathe Later" basically consists of Abdominal spitting near-non-stop, totally breathless verses (supposedly unassisted by punch-ins) over raw drum-breaks and scratch collages. It's pretty freakin' ill if you ask me.



Simian Mobile Disco "I Got This Down"

The guys from UK Electro duo Simian Mobile Disco and their label Wichita have been keeping wraps on the cover of their new album 'Attack Decay Sustain Release,' which hits stores on June 18th. That's why you're getting a lame photo of them and ice-cream instead of the actual cover. Thank heavens the music on the album isn't lame though. Their recent single "It's The Beat" is a really good indication of what the record sounds like, classic Electro. This track, "I Got This Down" is another banger, with some really fantastic synths that hearken back to the days of early-'80s Electro, coupled with the thumping Electro-House style of today.



Digitalism "Home Zone"

Just a hop-skip-and-jump away in Germany another Electro production duo, sometime SMD label-mates Digitalism, is readying the release of their new album as well. It's titled 'Idealism,' and it drops May 21st on venerable Dance label Kitsuné Music (and June 5th in the US, via Astralwerks). It features 15 tracks of fuzzy, squiggly, sleazy Electro tracks, including "Home Zone," which is all synth-stabs, grainy growls, robotic squeals and repetitive chants. Pretty kick-ass.



Björk "Declare Independence"

And finally, Iceland's maven of musical magic, Björk is releasing her long-awaited tenth solo LP 'Volta' next Tuesday, May 8th. If you pay attention to music at all you should already know it features three tracks produced by American super-producer Timbaland, and two tracks guest-starring Antony of Antony and the Johnsons. It's just as sublime, mind-boggling, and wonderful as you might expect. Here's a track called "Declare Independence," a fist-pumping Electro-Punk protest song that kicks as hard as a steel-toed boot to the face, boldly calls for personal revolution, and makes me think Björk's been reading a little Hakim Bey lately.

It went out of print not-too long after it's initial release, and has been highly sought-after ever since, but Rhymesayers Entertainment has announced they'll be re-releasing MF Doom's sophomore LP 'Mm Food' this summer!

In 1998 Zev Love X of the seminal rap group KMD re-emerged as a masked super villain know as MF DOOM. The following year he released the groundbreaking independent classic Operation: Doomsday. DOOM only added to the mystery by creating multiple aliases (King Geedorah, Viktor Vaughn, etc.) and taking a no holds barred approach to his musical career. With collaborative side projects with Madlib (Madvillain) and most recently Dangerdoom with Danger Mouse, MM..FOOD marks the super villain's long awaited follow up to Operation: Doomsday. Originally released late 2004, MM..FOOD has been out of print for close to two years.

After it's original release DOOM embarked on a 8 city release party tour called the MM..FOOD Drive Tour. Which was captured on film and is being included as a special bonus DVD. With over an hour of live performances and behind the scenes footage this special edition of MM..FOOD provides a rare look at the mysterious metal fingered super villain MF DOOM.

The MM..FOOD re-release drops 6.19.07, be the first on your block to get the brand new special edition release of MF DOOM's MM..FOOD.

Continue checking back for updates on this re-release!

Here's a track from the 'Mm Food Leftovers' bonus disc (which won't be included in the re-release) called "Hot Guacamole" featuring MC Paul Barman with production from the inimitable Prince Paul.

MF Doom feat. MC Paul Barman "Hot Guacamole"

I know, some time last month when I posted about The Klaxons on my Blogarhythms column on Okayplayer I claimed that I didn't "get" New Rave. The truth is that I "get" New Rave just fine. My main beef was that I didn't think a band like the Klaxons made appropriately "Ravey" music to be labeled as "New Rave." A lot of other bands are making some kick-ass Techno/Electro influenced Indie-Dance shit though. Like London-based duo (Simian's Simon Lord and The Wiseguys' Theo Keating) The Black Ghosts for example.



Their newest single is a track called "Any Way You Choose To Give It," and it's out now on 12'', 7'' and as a digital download on the Southern Fried Records label. It's really a catchy-as-fuck Pop song with a pumped up Dance Rock track. And the 12'' features a bunch of knockin' remixes, including one by Playgroup that fuses throwback Hip-House, B-More Club and UK Garage influences. We're already spinning that on our Urban Alternatives radio show, but you should expect it on a new edition of our Undertones podcast series soon.

Look out for The Black Ghosts' debut self-titled full-length album later this Summer.

So I guess it's a good thing that that's exactly what French remixer Yuksek is giving you with his new remix of Glaswegian Dance Punk quartet Shitdisco's single "OK." You might remember I posted an MP3 and video for the LP version of "OK" a few weeks back. But as much as I like that mix of the track this remix stomps a mudhole in it's pasty white ass!

Shitdisco "OK (Yuksek Remix)"

You can find the remix, and a couple others, on the limited edition "OK" 12'' single. The original mix is on their debut LP 'Kingdom of Fear,' which is out now on Fierce Panda Records.

This just might be the most awesome song of the year! If you like Imageyenation dandy Aqueduct, Juvelen's "Of Course I Remember," the retro-soul of Mark Ronson, or even Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D., you should love Dutch singer/producer Benny Sings and his new song "Let me In." Sure, he might look like comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis, but his music, a take on seventies-style white-boy-soul, is just freakin' sweet!

Watch the video for "Let Me In." And if you like it, download the track below. And if you like that, then cop his album 'Benny... At Home' when it drops on May 21st on the Dox/Sonar Kollektiv label.

Benny Sings "Let Me In"

This video is pretty simple. But it's really pretty awesome too. And I like the song a whole lot.

It's a tune called "Yellow" by Philadelphia four-piece The Teeth, from their new album 'You're My Lover Now,' out now on Park The Van Records.

You can download the track too if you're digging it as much as me.

The Teeth "Yellow"

Take the bass for a walk dudes, just like a doggie who needs to poop. The sweet-ass vocal harmonies aren't hurting things either. And the brass-section? Fucking killer.

The singer, Bobby Pickett, famous for his hit tune "Monster Mash" died today.

Now, Bobby Pickett can go be a "graveyard smash" at that big Halloween party in the sky.

I debated posting this video, but after watching it a few times, I decided it was too cool to not post.

This is the latest video to come from the Australian "kidsbangingsaucepans" duo Bumblebeez. It sort of has a mock 'Warriors' feel to it. Or as Keter suggested 'Once Were Warriors.' Regardless, there's warriors in there somewhere.

Amp Fiddler is by no means a new face on the music scene. A well known R&B/Soul singer in the UK, Amp Fiddler is also connected with Slum Village, Prince, and George Clinton. Not to mention he was good friends with the late James "J. Dilla" Yancey, with whom he also collaborated.

His new album 'Afro Strut' was released in the UK back in August, but to the best of my knowledge has yet to make it Stateside. One of the collaborations on Afro Strut is the song "If I Don't" which features songstress Corinne Bailey Rae. The video for the single was recently released and was created by the uber-cool British animation collective Minivegas.

Amp Fiddler feat. Corinne Bailey Rae "If I Don't"

[22:00] elketerbentzadik: fabolous is the 2007 cam'ron
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: LOL
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: really?
[22:01] elketerbentzadik: he's on some total ridiculousness this year
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: in what way?
[22:01] elketerbentzadik: you remember the video i posted where he was eating the diamonds, right?
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: what he's saying or his rap or is he dressing all in purple
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: I never watched it
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: cause i refused
[22:01] elketerbentzadik: boooooooooooooooooo
[22:01] FunkyFreshD555: lol
[22:01] elketerbentzadik: you needed to watch that
[22:01] elketerbentzadik: anyway
[22:02] FunkyFreshD555: what was the song called?
[22:02] elketerbentzadik: he got a new video
[22:02] elketerbentzadik: and the entire video is of him throwing money in the air
[22:02] FunkyFreshD555: LOL
[22:02] FunkyFreshD555: oh lord
[22:02] elketerbentzadik: the "hook" is some dude shouting "money in the air" over and over again
[22:02] FunkyFreshD555: HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA
[22:02] elketerbentzadik: and he says "you say the rap game reminds you of the crack game...
[22:02] FunkyFreshD555: that's gonna be the song for all the stripper clubs in 2007
[22:02] elketerbentzadik: "that's why your money lasts as long as a crack high...
[22:03] elketerbentzadik: "i stack my paper up, how high, shaq high...
[22:03] elketerbentzadik: "yao high...
[22:03] elketerbentzadik: something something
[22:03] elketerbentzadik: then he rhymes the same word twice again
[22:03] FunkyFreshD555: LOL
[22:03] elketerbentzadik: imma post this shit too because it's so ridiculous
[22:03] FunkyFreshD555: LOL
[22:04] FunkyFreshD555: Fabulous bein ridiculous
[22:04] FunkyFreshD555: Cam'Ron on 60 minutes talkin bout no snitchin
[22:04] FunkyFreshD555: this is just crazy
[22:04] elketerbentzadik: he need to change his name to Recockolous
[22:04] FunkyFreshD555: HAHAHAHAH

Fabolous "Return of the Hustle"

Real Media Lo

Real Media Hi

Windows Media Lo

Windows Media Hi

Joe Beats "Friday Afternoon"

After making a name for himself as Sage Francis' beatmaking partner in the group Non Prophets, and wowing music nerds with his 'Indie Rock Blues' project, Providence, Rhode Island's Joe Beats is striking out on his own with his first official production album. It's called 'Diverse Recourse,' it's out now on Bully Records, and it's a work of sampling artistry from beginning to end. This track "Friday Afternoon" reminds me a lot of a beefed up version of Edo. G's "I Got To Have It," and it's got a real sweet extended vocal sample on the outro.



Teenage Bad Girl "USB Dick"

The Paris-based production duo of Greg Kazubski and Guillaume Manbell, known as Teenage Bad Girl, is all about that filthy French Electro shit. If you're into Justice, Simian Mobile Disco and all that Ed Banger noise you're gonna dig their album 'Cocotte,' which is available now via digital retailers online. "USB Dick" is hot on so many levels. First, it's titled "USB Dick." Second, the track fucking bangs. Third, it's dirty, but in a really weird way, because it's a bout a "USB Dick," not an actual dick. Way to go France!



Von Südenfed "Flooded"

The group Von Südenfed is comprised of vocalist Mark E. Smith, of British Post-Punkers The Fall, and the production duo of Andi Toma and Jan St. Werner, also known as Mouse On Mars. Their album 'Tromatic Reflexxions,' out May 21st in the UK and June 5th in the US on Domino Records, is a bass-bombing, drum-clattering mix of Club music and IDM-style production, paired with Smith's free-verse yelping. It's pretty fucking crazy. The track "Flooded" is on some hard-stepping, bass-heavy UK Garage/2-Step shit with some ill nightclub-themed spoken-word rambling.



DJ Jazzy Jeff feat. J-Live "Practice"

Decades deep in the game, DJ Jazzy Jeff is prepping the release of his sophomore solo album 'The Return Of The Magnificent,' out May 8th on BBE Records. There's nothing on it that struck me as hard as "Scram" featuring Freddie Foxxx from his last album, but there are some choice joints on it. I'm particularly fond of "Practice" featuring J-Live, mainly because it flips Donald Byrd's Funky-Jazz classic "Think Twice" (one of my favorite songs of all time) in a refreshing way.

She probably bears more of a likeness to Joss Stone and Floetry than throwback Soul bad-girl Amy Winehouse, but I just couldn't resist the alcohol-themed joke in reference to Irish Soul singer Laura Izibor. The stateside success of acts like Stone, Floetry, Corinne Bailey Rae and yes, even Winehouse, who all make similar brands of poppy Soul that eschews most American R&B acts stereotypically "urban" affectations almost certainly played a role in Izibor's recent signing to the US-based Atlantic Records label though. Her album is titled 'Let The Truth Be Told' and is tentatively scheduled for release later this year. Check out streaming audio of the track "From My Heart To Yours" below, and hear another song on her MySpace page.

Laura Izibor "From My Heart To Yours"

Her first post-deal-signing live date here in the US is scheduled for April 30th as part of MUSEXPO 2007 at the Viper Room in Hollywood, California.

Well, that would mainly be the fact that I wasn't even aware that this Mark Ronson video fucking existed!



It's a clip for his cover of The Smiths' "Stop Me" featuring Daniel Merriweather on vocals, taken from his new LP 'Version,' out now on Allido/Sony in the UK.

Swedish Indie-Popster Montt Mardié has a new (double) album out. I don't have it yet. Even though I want it. It's called 'Clocks/Pretender.' It's on Swedish Pop label Hybris Records. And if it's anything like his last album 'Drama' it's going to be good.



This is a video clip for a horn-and-string-laden ballad from 'Clocks/Pretenders' titled "The Windmill Turns All The Same." The song so melodramatic and pretty. And I can't help but think that homeboy looks a little bit like a '70s Lounge version of Gerard Way. Now, if we can only get all those teeny-boppers listening to this shit instead of MCR!

If you listen to our Urban Alternatives radio show or our Undertones podcast series you know we've been rocking the track "Batterie" by Los Angeles-based emcee Omni pretty tough. It's one of the dopest Hip-Hop records of the season, no question. It's also one of the oddest (it's got cakes, wigs and other weirdness) videos I've seen in a minute. Check it out.



"Batterie" is the title track from Omni's brand new fourth full-length, which is out now on the Nataural High Records label.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that kids in Scandinavia get a lot of colds. Just a hunch.

At any rate, someone has taken this hunch and made music out of it.



Now there is a website where you can make your own music by picking from a variety of gross kiddy sounds. Everything from a snot bubble to a super sneeze. You can also listen to some other lovely songs like "West Coast Cough" or "Hot Fever."

I actually have no idea where this is from or what it's for (if anything), so if anyone knows...please leave a comment.

Minneapolis-based emcee and Imageyenation dandy Brother Ali touted himself as a "righteous Black man" on the track "Win Some, Lose Some" from his 'Shadows On The Sun' LP a few years back. In the new video clip for "Uncle Sam Goddamn" he reinforces that fact by dropping science like only a "righteous Black man" can.



The track "Uncle Sam Goddamn" is taken from Brother Ali's newest album 'The Undisputed Truth,' which dropped earlier this month on Rhymesayers Entertainment.

Catch Ali on tour at one of the following dates.

Apr 20, The High Noon Saloon, Madison, Wisconsin
Apr 21, Subterranean, Chicago, Illinois
Apr 22, Bluebird Nightclub, Bloomington, Indiana
Apr 23, The Gargoyle, St. Louis, Missouri
Apr 24, Ear X-tacy, Louisville, Kentucky
Apr 24, Uncle Pleasants, Louisville, Kentucky
Apr 25, Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Apr 27, Coachella, Indio, California
Apr 28, Skully's Music Diner, Columbus, Ohio
Apr 29, Grog Shop, Cleveland Hights, Ohio
May 1, Higher Ground Lounge, South Burlington, Vermont
May 2, Underground Hip-Hop, Boston, Massachusetts
May 2, The Middle East, Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 3, Fat Beats, New York, New York
May 3, Knitting Factory New York, New York
May 4, First Unitarian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 5, The Ottobar, Baltimore, Maryland
May 6, Starr Hill Music Hall, Charlottesville, Virginia
May 8, Cat's Cradle, Carrboro, North Carolina
May 9, The Soapbox Laundrolounge, Wilmington, North Carolina
May 10, The Village Tavern, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
May 11, The Social, Orlando, Florida
May 12, Drunken Unicorn, Atlanta, Georgia
May 14, The Nick, Birmingham, Alabama
May 15, The Parish @ House of Blues, New Orleans, Louisiana
May 16, Emo's, Austin, Texas
May 17, Launchpad, Albuquerque, New Mexico
May 18, Club Congress, Tucson, Arizona
May 19, Orpheum Theatre, Flagstaff, Arizona
May 20, The Glass House, Pomona, California
May 22, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, California
May 23, Troubadour, West Hollywood, California
May 24, Downtown Brew, San Luis Obispo, California
May 25, Slim's, San Francisco, California
May 26, The New Oasis, Reno, Nevada
May 29, WOW Hall, Eugene, Oregon
May 30, Hawthorne Theater, Portland, Oregon
May 31, The Vera Project, Seattle, Washington
Jun 1, The Nightlight, Bellingham, Washington
Jun 2, The Badlander, Missoula, Montana
Jun 4, Urban Lounge, Salt Lake City, Utah
Jun 5, Bluebird Theater, Denver, Colorado
Jun 6, The Record Bar, Kansas City, Missouri
Jun 7, Vaudeville Mews, Des Moines, Iowa
Jun 8, First Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota

This video is about Tony, a 25 year old guy who is the ULTIMATE Backstreet Boys groupie. Now I don't know how old this video is, cause it seems a little dated. Still, it's just as scary now as it was when the Backstreet Boys were actually still making albums. (Because they aren't any more right? RIGHT?)

So enjoy the train wreck that is this video. And can I just ask...does he have payos?



In other Backstreet Boy news, Lou Pearlman, the guy who put together and managed not only The Backstreet Boys, but N'Sync and half a dozen other boy bands as well, is running from the law. He stole money from the elderly and banks through a pyramid scam.

Oh. My. Face.

Peaches, Yo Majesty and Inara George of The Bird and The Bee got together and made a parody of Alanis Morissette's cover of "My Humps."

It's called "My Dumps."



Mix Poo with Pee Pee.

Jamie T sort of reminds me of Mike Skinner, if Mike Skinner played a guitar. Which is funny, because that's one of the people who he has been compared to already.

Hailing from Wimbeldon, South London (Yeah, South London!), Jamie T (nee Jamie Treays) received the award for Best Solo Artist of 2007 at the NME Awards. He was signed to Virgin Records which released his album 'Panic Prevention' earlier this year. He's since been getting rotation on BBC's Radio One.

Two of his singles that came out last year have great videos. The first is for the song "Shiela" (the MP3 of which is below). In fact, "Sheila" actually has two videos. One was released last year around the same time as the release of the song. The newer version features Bob Hoskins. Personally, I can't stop watching it.

The second video, as you can see below, is for the track "If You've Got The Money." The video is all about white men who dance and the girlfriends who hate them.

If you want to check out more music by Jamie T, you can, as always, check out his MySpace page.



Jamie T "Sheila"

Brooklyn based singer Robin Andre shows us the trials and tribulations of being friends with members of the opposite sex. Especially those members with whom you want to do more than play Scrabble.

Robin Andre "Friend Zone"



Check out more from Robin Andre at his MySpace Page.

(Shout out to Dean for the link.)

Yacht feat. Bobby Birdman "Platinum"

Fuck all that "New Rave" noise coming out of the UK, 'cause this track "Platinum" by Oregon-based Indie/Electro producer Yacht featuring Frykbeat crooner Bobby Birdman is some straight-up Indie-Dance/Rave throwback shit updated for the Indie hipsters of today. If you didn't know, Yacht is the alias of Jona Bechtolt, programmer for The Blow. His album 'I Believe In You. Your Magic Is Real' is out now on Marriage Records. "Platinum" sounds like M.A.R.R.S. "Pump Up The Volume" on crack, and it makes me want to get some glow-sticks and act like an asshole.



Phat Kat "Nasty Ain't It"

It took like a million years, and his homebody/producer died before it happened, but Detroit emcee Phat Kat (also known as Ronnie Cash) has finally dropped his debut full-length. It's called 'Carte Blanche,' it features beats from Dilla and Black Milk, and it's out now on the Look Records label. "Nasty Ain't It?" as an official Dilla banger with the creeping synths and neck-snapping drums programming he was so good at. This is the kind of beats I wish Redman was rapping over on his new album. But he's not. So buy the Phat Kat CD instead.



Mark Ronson feat. Santo Gold "Pretty Green"

While I'm cursing about shit from the UK I might as well say "fuck you Mark Ronson" too. How can one guy be so rich and so fucking dope? I hate you Mark Ronson! I hate you! Seriously though, dude has been wreaking shit on the production tip lately, and his new album 'Version,' where he recruits a bunch of different vocalists and members of bands like The Dap-Kings and Dujeous to cover random songs is dope. It's only out in England right now, on Allido/Sony, but it should be coming to our shores eventually. This track finds Santo Gold (a.k.a. Santi White, of Res and Stiffed fame) covering The Jam's "Pretty Green." It's some straight New Wave/Post-Punk Summertime block party in New York type shit, and it makes me want to eat Italian Ice and breakdance.



Lifesavas "Tailormade Razorblade"

I'm kinda sorry to say I'm having a hard time getting into the new album from Portland, Oregon's Lifesavas. It seems like there's a lot more obvious live instrumentation this time, and the songwriting doesn't seem as strong or as diversely influenced, with a lot of songs coming off sort of generic. Never-the-less, it's still nice to finally have their long-awaited sophomore album 'Gutterfly,' out now on Quannum Projects, finished and in stores. So far the one track that has been able to recapture their first LP's adventurous spirit and exciting blend of sharp wordplay and creative production for me is the hidden track titled "Tailormade Razorblades."

They like bingo, visits from their grandkids and Rock N' Roll.

Apparently the oldest rock band currently performing (with an average age of 78), The Zimmers are a collective of elderly people who still love to rock out. The lead singer Alf Carretta is 90. Others in the band are already past 100.

Already having made a splash in the UK, The Zimmers will be featured in a documentary on the BBC. Keep an eye out for it in May.

Here's the music video for their current single, a cover of the Who's "My Generation."



New. Personal. Heroes.

If you listen to our Urban Alternatives radio show or download our Undertones podcast series you've no-doubt heared the new track from Sa-Ra Creative Partners featuring Talib Kweli called "Feel The Bass." Well, now you can watch it too! Check out the video below.



"Feel The Bass" is the first single from their new album 'The Holywood Recordings,' featuring guest-appearances from J Dilla, Bilal, Pharaohe Monch, Erykah Badu, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Kurupt, Capone-N-Noreaga and more, which hits stores April 24th on the Babygrande Records label.

It seems that every year I miss out on a band or album for no good reason other than there is not enough time in the day for me to give everyone a listen. Sometimes though something will fall into my lap if I wait around long enough. This something comes in the form of Catfish Haven and they fell into my lap courtesy of MTV's Subterranean, on which I saw their video for "Tell Me" and was instantly smitten.

Lead singer George Hunter's raspy, soulful, bluesy, passionate vocals are infectious, and the band's sound is a welcome alternative to all of the synth based electronica that I've been bumping lately.

Catfish Haven "Tell Me"

Catfish Haven "Crazy For Leaving"

Catfish Haven's album 'Tell Me' is out now on Secretly Canadian.

The Rapture are back with another video. This one is for the title track to their latest album 'Pieces of the People We Love'.



They are touring right now throughout the states and in what should prove to be one of the best shows of the summer The Rapture are doing a few select dates with Daft Punk:

Jul 29 2007 WaMu Center - Seattle, Washington

Jul 31 2007 Red Rocks - Denver, Colorado

Aug 5 2007 Arrow Hall - Toronto

Aug 7 2007 Bell Centre - Montreal

Aug 9 2007 Keyspan Park - Brooklyn, New York

I'm having sort of a love-hate-relationship with Canadian songstress Feist's forthcoming album 'The Reminder.' I love Feist, I'm just not as impressed by her new album as I was by her classic 2004 LP 'Let It Die.' It's different. And while different can be good, it's only different when compared with 'Let It Die,' and unfortunately not different enough from what a lot of her contemporaries in the female singer/songwriter milieu have been doing over the last couple of years. The songs are still pretty good, and Feist can still sing, but the music itself isn't as exciting and some of her charm seems to have worn off.

However, Ms. Feist more than makes up for it with a playful new video that injects all of the sass, sparkle, shine and charm I felt was a little lacking on her new record. It's for a track called "1234," which adds a little kick of old-school girl-group fun, and a really fresh trumpet solo, to the Starbucks-esque twang that a lot of the album's songs have. It's one of the better songs on the album, and the video is just fantastic, bringing it to life in visually arresting sort of way.

Check out the video via streaming Flash player for a splash of Spring color. And look for Feist's new album 'The Reminder' in stores on Cherry Tree/Interscope records on May 1st.

Captain Underpants rules your face.

Former Alkaholiks member J-Ro is releasing a solo album entitled B-Boy Funk in the near future. The single, "You Call That Love" found its way onto the internet last week. It features Swedish rapper Chords and according to a comment on a post at Soul Sides, J-Ro has been spending a bit of time over in Sweden. JuJu Records, the label releasing his solo effort, is stationed in Malmo.

While I was never a big Alkaholiks fan, I'm sort of taken by this track. I can dig that whole "anti-love" style of music.

J-Ro feat. Chords "You Call That Love"

I was in an HMV in London a few weeks ago looking at the newly released albums when I came across Mr. Hudson & The Library's 'A Tale of Two Cities.' While I was tempted to buy it based entirely on the name alone, I resisted and instead decided to do a little research.

Mr. Hudson & the Library is a five piece band that consists of Mr. (Ben) Hudson (lead singer/guitarist), Torville Jones (piano forte), Maps Huxley (bass guitar), Wilkie Wilkinson (electric drums) and Joy Joseph (vocals and steel drum). Even though they say they are Alternative/R&B on their MySpace page, they sort of sound like ska infused with some jazz followed by a dash of hip hop. This shouldn't really be a surprise considering their influences range from Chet Baker to J Dilla to David Bowie. In fact, Mr. Hudson is actually a beat maker and has worked with hip hop/grime artists like Sway and Dizzee Rascal. (Sway featured Mr. Hudson on a remix of his track "Products")

Not bad for a guy who graduated Oxford with a degree in English. But it doesn't stop there. Mr. Hudson & the Library also opened for Amy Winehouse on her UK tour and they played for Mika in Paris. They also did a bunch of shows in actual libraries, as part of Get It Loud In Libraries, a project out of Lancaster, England that is trying to encourage young people to read (The project has included lots of other bands, including Boston's Harry and the Potters).

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the album (let alone the band) will be coming Stateside any time soon. Here's two tracks from 'A Tale of Two Cities.' One is their single "Too Late Too Late" for which they have released a video (look out for Dizzee Rascal's cameo). The other track is a cover of the song "On The Street Where You Live" which comes from the Lerner and Lowe musical 'My Fair Lady.'

Mr Hudson & The Library "Too Late Too Late"

Mr Hudson & The Library "On The Street Where You Live"

Just Jack "Writer's Block"

The first place I ever saw UK Garage dude Just Jack was in ads on MySpace way back before MySpace was "cool." I remember thinking "who is this douche?" Then I clicked an ad and found out his music wasn't too bad. Later his CD 'The Outer Marker' showed up in the radio station's Rock locker (sung to the tune of "Rock Lobster") and Emeyesi wound up playing the shit out of it on our Urban Alternatives radio program. His new CD 'Overtones' dropped recently here in the states on Universal. He switches it up and smooths it out on this one, and even serves up some retro Disco flavor like on this track "Writer's Block."



Dntel feat. Grizzly Bear "To A Fault"

I slept hard on the forthcoming Dntel album. I listened to it once then gave it to Add-Mmm to review. When he came back with a rave I didn't think twice. It wasn't a Postal Service album, so I wasn't happy with it. Well, fuck the Postal Service, because 'Dumb Luck,' out April 24th on Sub Pop, is a masterpiece! The songs are every bit as poppy as Postal Service's, but way more layered and experimental. The track with Brooklyn Psych/Folk band Grizzly Bear, "To A Fault," punches everything on their own albums in the face and kicks Ben Gibbard squarely in the shin.



The Concretes "Kids"

Swedish band The Concretes had a song in a commercial a few years ago. I think me and Emeyesi liked it. We didn't know they were from Sweden, or that Sweden ruled at the point. Since then their singer Victoria Bergsman has rocked our collective faces by hooking up with Peter Bjorn and John and making the song "Young Folks." That's in a commercial now too. I haven't listened to the entirety of the new album from The Concretes, 'Hey, Trouble,' out now on the Licking Fingers label, yet. But I'm loving the song "Kids." It's sort of like a synthy, New Wave version of "Young Folks." It features the line "read between the liner notes." Please note, she didn't say "linear notes" like some people. She's Swedish, and her English is better than many Americans who actually have jobs writing about music!



Lucky Soul "Add Your Light To Mine, Baby"

Super sixties throwback attack! That's exactly what British sextet Lucky Soul is bringing on their debut disc, 'The Great Unwanted.' It's out now on their own Ruffa Lane label, it's some straight-up Brill Building/Wall of Sound girl-group Pop, and it's pretty fucking good. The song "Add Your Light To Mine, Baby" is the best of the bunch, with a really catchy horn arrangement and a sticky-sweet vocal.

Okay, so I'm late as fuck with this. By now it's all over the internets. But I had a busy week, so whatever. Plus former Organized Konfusion emcee Pharoahe Monch rips this remix of Amy Winehouse's "Rehab" out the motherfuckin' frame!

It's like old bugged-out Monch from "Releasing Hypnotical Gasses" and "Hate," but rapping about shit the average American dumbass understands. If he could do this for a whole album and get some dope beats I'd be really impressed. We'll have to wait until June 25th, when his long-delayed sophomore solo LP 'Desire' hits stores, to see if he accomplished such a feat.

In the meantime, enjoy the remix.

Amy Winehouse feat. Pharoahe Monch "Rehab (Remix)"

Catch Monch on tour through the rest of the Spring and into early Summer.

Apr 16 2007
Queens College
Queens, New York

Apr 21 2007
WKYS Performance
Washington DC, Washington DC

Apr 22 2007
New Era Showcase
Washington DC, Washington DC

Apr 26 2007
UCLA
Los Angeles, California

Apr 28 2007
Coachella
Palms Springs, California

Apr 29 2007
DNA Event
San Francisco, California

Apr 30 2007
TBD
Chicago, Illinois

May 3 2007
Richards On Richards
Vancouver, British Columbia

May 5 2007
Chop Suey
Seattle, Washington

May 5 2007
HEAVEN
OTTAWA, Ontario

May 26 2007
THE NATIONAL
MONTREAL, Quebec

May 27 2007
MIDDLE EAST
BOSTON, Massachusetts

Jul 28 2007
RANDALL'S ISLAND with Wu-Tang, Nas, Mos Def, EPDM, Cypress Hill, Rage Against the Machine

Karen O. and Kool Keith got together a couple years ago and recorded a lil number called "The Tease". It was recorded for the yet to be released album, 'Deep Throat vs. Lialeh', that's based on a mash-up of the two classic 70's porn films of the same names. According to Mr. Keith's website it'll be out...soon, along with 40 other albums from his various aliases. So keep an ear out for it/them and enjoy this tasty lil nugget of naughtiness.

Karen O. & Kool Keith "The Tease"

I originally heard about Lil' Mama from Ian over at Different Kitchen. She's being hailed as the "next big thing" to come out of New York. Her single "Lip Gloss" is already getting some notice, and love it or hate it...it's getting airplay. Her official MySpace page says that it's "a celebratory anthem for girls of all ages."

While I personally don't wear lip gloss nor do I consider it an anthem, the song is catchy. It's got a beat you can dance to and the video is candy color-iffic.

Lil' Mama "Lip Gloss"



(Thanks to Concreteloop for the link)

This single is off Fall Out Boy's new album 'Infinity on High.' I know they're part of that whole crappy MTV pretty boy rock band scene, but I have to admit...their music has grown on me. And their videos are sometimes cute and clever. Like this one, which shows how making a music video is just a whole lot of monkey business.

And another reason why I love Fall Out Boy? Two words; Pete Wentz.

I love a man who is not afraid to wear eyeliner. Or have a picture of his naughty bits roaming around the internet.

Fall Out Boy "Thnks fr th Mmrs"

Fuck Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and fuck Fergie's "My Humps," because the new cover-song sensation this season has got to be Roxette's "Must Have Been Love!"



Oh yeah, did I mention it's in Spanish? Anyway, it's by Australian Indie quintet Aleks and the Ramps and it's from their album 'Pisces vs. Aquarius,' out now on Cavalier Records.

UK Grime poster-child Dizzee Rascal returns with a new single "Sirens" on May 21st. It sounds really fucking different, and the video is really... umm... foxy?



You can watch the video in higher quality Quicktime format as well. The release of the new single will be followed by Dizzee's third LP, 'Maths and English,' which features guest-appearances by Lily Allen and Bun B & Pimp C of UGK, on June 4th.

Other than that Sa-Ra remix a couple years back I haven't really been paying much attention to Acid Jazz meets Jam Band meets Dontempo trio Medeski Martin and Wood. But if organist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin and their new video for a track called "Custaceatron" have anything to say about it, that's about to change.



It's the lead single from their new album 'Mago,' out April 10th on Martin's Amulet Records label, which they claim is "the record they vowed to do before their popular band, Medeski Martin and Wood, kept them so busy." Powered by Madeski's B3 and Martin's drums, the album is apparently on some "head-nodding booty-shaking" shit.

I got an email about this a few days ago, but didn't check it until today. So I apologize if this is late.

Last month, the crowd at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City were a bit upset at super-group, the Red Hot Chili Peppers for bringing up-and-coming "rapper" Mickey Avalon to open for them. The audience was so uninspired by Avalon that they booed him while he performed.

The Chili Peppers were so angry that lead guitarist John Frusciante lectured them about manners and later, posted a letter to that audience on their fan message board. On the same message board, Mickey Avalon's MOTHER posted a thank you letter to John.

Don't you love a good bit of music drama?

Anyway, to show Mickey that some of us still think he's swell, I've posted John Frusciante's letter and Mickey's Mom's letter after the jump. And also, just to keep you music junkies satisfied, I've also posted Mickey Avalon's track "My Dick" which I am hoping is the first song he played in Oklahoma.

Mickey Avalon "My Dick"

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The first thing any awesome band needs is a boss-ass name, and Glasgow-based Disco-Punk band Shit Disco has that covered, big time. They also have foot stompin' jams with monstrous basslines and lyrics about Kung-Fu. It's kind of what I wish Bloc Party sounded like. Oh, and they have an animated video for their next single "OK" too!



Their debut album 'Kingdom Of Fear' drops on April 16th on Fierce Panda Records. The single for "OK," featuring three remixes and a new track titled "The Emanator" will soon follow. They'll be touring around venues I've never heard of in foreign countries through May.

But it's provocative.

Lovely Canadian Lady Lumps. Now THOSE are provocative.

Adriana Evans "Hey Now"

You know, we don't really tend to cover a lot of Neo-Soul or modern R&B stuff here. But between me and Emeyesi we actually have a lot of smooth Soul stuff in our collections. We're both pretty big fans of Adriana Evans and have been since she emerged on the then-burgeoning Neo-Soul scene back in the late-'90s. Her new album is called 'El Camino,' and it's out now ( it's an import though ) on the Expansion UK label. I'm loving this track "Hey Now" because it's got a new-school Dr. Buzzard kind of a thing going on. It's just pretty as can be.



Savath & Savalas "Apnea Obstructiva"

You might know Guillermo Scott Herren by the name Prefuse 73, but he also releases music as Savath and Savalas, as well as a number of other aliases. His next record under the S+S moniker is called 'Golden Pollen,' and it drops on the Anti- label on June 16th. It's on some real mellow, droney, Spanish Psych/Folk shit, and he's taken over all the singing on this one. The track "Apnea Obstructiva" has some really beautiful melodies and one of the best vocal performances on the album.



Pleasure "Bite The Beat"

I figure that if you like Chromeo, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Panther and the like, you're gonna dig UK Electro-Pop outfit Pleasure too. Their newest album 'Pleasure 2' is out now on Electric Silk/EMI overseas. I'm digging the little poor-man's-Prince vibe they're working on the track "Bite The Beat."



Kristoffer Ragnstam "Breakfast By The Mattress"

I'm not even sure how to classify Kristoffer Ragnstam other than to say he's Swedish. I guess it's pretty straightforward Indie Pop/Rock, but there's some Punk and Soul influences you might detect here and there as well. His album 'Sweet Bills' is out now on Bluhammock Records. I'm a sucker for catchy vocal melodies and falsetto singing, which the uptempo rocker "Breakfast By The Mattress" has, so it just had to be my choice track.

Maroon 5 has a brand new single and video out right now called "Makes Me Wonder" and much like the first single off of their last album, it's gonna need a radio edit.



Maroon 5 "Makes Me Wonder"

Me likey.

Maroon 5's new album, 'It Won't Be Soon Before Long,' will be in stores May 22nd. The band is calling this album "sexier and stronger" than their last album, 'Songs About Jane,' and that acts such as Prince, Michael Jackson and Talking Heads inspired them this time around.

Awesome. Something tells me I'll be bringing my mom to see them again.

The UK music scene has been getting it's ass handed to it lately. This is mostly thanks to the wealth of talented bands emerging from Swedish every day. But England is fighting back, and they're doing so with Electro beats, anti-establishment spoken-word and a fly-ass beard!



The beats, spoken word, and facial hair come courtesy of Dan Le Sac vs. Sroobius Pip and their new single "Thou Shalt Always Kill." It dropped today on the Lex Records label and is available at various digital music retailers online right now.