The Round Table

Question: What do RZA, Lil Jon, Joe Jonas and Jake Gyllenhaal all have in common?
Answer: Vampire Weekend’s video for “Giving Up the Gun”, duh.
In the clip, Jonas and Gyllenhaal play parts of the revolving door opposition in a futuristic tennis match against a spritely redhead (played by a friend of the band), who just happens to be coached by Lil Jon. Makes sense to me. I mean, who better to cheer you on than the “YEAH!” man himself. Oh, and RZA plays an all-seeing and (warning: nerdy Harry Potter reference!) frequently disapparating game referee, while Vampire Weekend give an inter-spliced background performance.

All in all, the editing is slick and the theme is so simple and fun that is makes some pretty enjoyable viewing –not to mention this is absolutely my favorite track off Contra. Check it out:

More on the video at Spinner.

We’re rolling into Friday with a Flashback video since I’m desperately needing something to distract me from all that is “iamamiwhoami.” My pick is Lost Boyz ghetto love ballad “Renee.” I was obsessed with this song back in ‘96. So, sit back and reminisce as  Mr. Cheeks’ tells his love story of the neighborhood chick we all know as Renee.

In case you were living under a rock yesterday, here’s the video of Carrie Underwood taking on the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. Crazy Elvis jumpsuit aside, have to give Ms. Underwood props for going at one of the toughest vocal songs without pre-recording. Yes, it was a bit pitchy at times and the last note was atrocious, but honestly, I can’t hold a candle to this. Go, Carrie. Happy Monday.

At P3 Guld 2010 (what is sure to be Forest’s fave awards show), Sweden’s very best came together to honor and appreciate the past year’s musical accomplishments. Much like the Grammys and other so-so American music award shows, this show featured a collabo performance that just must be shared –most notably, one with Robyn (!!) and Spank Rock. The song is great and only made better by some sweet hip hop dancers and a touching embrace between our girl Robyn and Spank Rock. Fortunately (or unfortunately?), it does not feature any male-head-on-male-crotch pantomime.

“Backseat” video & mp3 after the cut, along with a clip of Fever Ray’s awesome-creepy Artist of the Year acceptance speech, featuring her melting face from the picture on the right. Between Fever Ray’s Karin Dreijer Andersson and Lady Gaga – I am feeling the fuck out of the current non-traditional pop music and subsequent artistry.
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Brendan Benson (The Raconteurs) and Cory Chisel (The Wandering Sons) took some time out from their busy touring schedule to wish their fans happy holidays. Joined by their fellow tour-mates and family, Benson and Chisel recite a holiday poem. Gotta love’em – Props to the guys for keeping a straight face. Watch it below. Then, go buy the duo’s single “Born Again” featuring Patrick Keeler.

Oh Beyonce, how I love thee. Let’s give credit where credit is due – baby girl is an entertainer. She gives it all when she’s on stage – sometimes it’s just a little too much. We stumbled across this video made by a loving fan (as “a compliment”) that captures some amazing Beyonce-isms from her most recent ABC concert special “Beyonce: I Am…Yours,” which aired on Thanksgiving.

Now, unfortunately, I was in a food coma and missed the special, but turns out the special showcased highlights from the “I Am…” tour, as well as behind-the-scenes footage and rare videos from B’s childhood.

Thanks to super fan RichFoFo we can all enjoy some of the funniest moments. Can’t wait for this internet meme to start spreading. Check out the video below – which is your favorite? Hard to choose one, but I’m partial to Number 4: “She’s an expert in crazy.”

We love Robbie Williams. We love The Killers. So it’s only natural we’d love Robbie Williams covering The Killers “Human” on BBC’s Radio 1 show recently.  Robbie’s stripped down version full with string section is a refreshing twist on The Killers more dance-synth version. Worth a listen if you like cover songs.

Benjy Davis Project came to rock as they headlined a Rock Ridge Music showcase at Sullivan Hall last night. The often subdued Davis released his inner showman as his band wailed behind him complete with guitar solos and pulsating drums as they brought some southern heat to a chilly November night here in NYC.

It was a noticeably different lineup for BDP, which only included original members Benjy Davis (no brainer there) and Mic Capdevielle (drums). The new addition, Patrick Thorton (bass) and Brian Fechino (guitar), definitely brought a fresh sound to the group. Though, I’d venture to guess the liquored up college-crowd failed to notice the new lineup as they faithfully sang back all the lyrics while groping each other. Seriously, kids are talented these days and clearly have no shame.

But BDP managed to stay focused as they played the standard crowd favorites off their latest release Dust, including “I Love You,” “Same Damn Book,” “Sweet Southern Moon,” and “Still Sweet.” They also mixed in some older material in “Do It With The Lights On,” and “Louisiana Saturday Night.” Have to admit, though I enjoy BDP unplugged, witnessing them plugged in up made for a nice change of pace.

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I cannot stop listening to this song. It’s an The XX remix of a Florence + the Machine cover of a Candi Staton song from the 80s. Get all that?

Today I discovered the video, which is just re-cut from the original F+tM video and lacks the ‘oomph’ of the song for me… The video’s pretty, but I guess I was expecting something darker and preferably not a Studio 54 remake, i.e. less of a disco flair. The video does bring attention to punctuation of the syncopated harp and drop-in/drop-out of the beat, which is cool, but I guess I was expecting more The XX and less Florence + the Machine…

See the video for the remix and the original; let us know yr thoughts after the cut.
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Maybe it’s a good thing Spoon thinks they got nuffin to lose. With so many critically acclaimed albums and recent word that their seventh (!) album, Transference, is on the way, it seems they will continue to subtly evolve and tighten (or perhaps loosen?) their sound and style, while still keeping that Pavement-esque oomph that attracted me to them in the first place. As Britt Daniel put it on their website, “this is pure Spoon.” When compared to the produced, semi-gloss of Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, Daniel told Spinner, “it’s an uglier record.” Unless it leaks, we’ll have to wait until January 26, 2010 to see what’s what.

But I digress –track list, previously released track (and possible lead single from Transference) “Got Nuffin”, PLUS the excellent video for “Don’t You Evah” featuring the adorable Keepon after the cut.

P.S. I just love this picture of the band. It’s like the coolest, yet most ridiculous AT&T commercial I’ve never seen.
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