Cold War Kids “Hospital Beds”

You may have noticed that the rap/commercial hiphop industry isn’t what it used to be, sales are dropping.
Sach O at ohword.com wrote a great article about it, saying that most rappers are ego-tripping douchebags.
That has a great effect on the rock industry, meaning that a lot of fresh and innovative rock bands get the opportunity to actually sell records.
Out of the dozens of new rock/symphonic bands, there are only a few that have what it takes to be an all-around successful band.

I myself really like the Cold War Kids. They have a sort of overly dramatized lyrical approach, while lurching rythms and raw guitars lay over the eccentric vocals of Nathan Willet. There, I’ve said it.
Robbers & Cowards is a great album and so is the video for the single “Hospital Beds”, so check it out and don’t forget to buy the album.

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Rjd2 - Work it out

I’ve been an Rjd2 fan for years now, liked everything he did, especially the Deadringer album. But with his latest project, The third hand, he went in totally different direction. Leaving the Definitive Jux label behind, as the well known and respected beat smith, he started singing in a sort of emo pop kind of way. Nothing wrong with that. The problem is after a whole album you really get tired of the singing cause he overlayed his voice several times, I guess to cover up that he can’t sing.

mov / on spinner / flv here.

After listening to this song, I might have to rethink my statement above.

Radiohead

According to a post from guitarist Ed O’Brien on Radiohead’s Dead Air Space blog today, the band is close to finishing their new album. Producer and recording engineer Nigel Godrich posted a minute mash of their new songs to give us a teaser.
From what I hear there are no electronic sounds on it, I really regret that, cause I loved Radiohead’s electronic phase with the Kid A album and lead singer Thom Yorke’s solo project. Nonetheless I’m very excited, cause Radiohead always delivers.

Let’s end this post with a video of my favorite song from the Kid A album, Idioteque performed live after the jump.
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The Sopranos

It’s a sad time for television right now. One of the best TV series of the past decade ended last sunday, after 6 seasons and 86 episodes. The Sopranos was the best thing that ever happened to television, and to me, I can’t get over it..

There has been a lot of controversy in the blogosphere and on the IMDb forums about the finale but I won’t get into details. Without any spoilers, I do have to say it ended the way I wanted, very fulfilling.

What now? There’s a new show starting on HBO, called John from Cincinnati. I got to see the pilot on the HBO site for free, it’s already taken down, but I wasn’t really into it. With Six Feet Under gone too, I really hope there’s another big HBO series coming up.
What else are we gonna watch?

Unkle - War Stories

After 3 years of musical silence James Lavelle and Richard File, aka Unkle, finally released their follow-up to the highly underrated Never Never Land. War Stories’ guest vocalists include Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), 3D (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, Autolux and Gavin Clark (Clayhill).

After listening to the album, I would call this the band that hardly evolves or tries to keep their original sound throughout the years. People say their songs are repetitive, but actually I think they have a way of setting the mood like no other.

Check the video for the new single “Burn My Shadow” after the jump and one of my favorites “Rabbit in Your Headlights” featuring Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.

http://www.myspace.com/unkle
UNKLE
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Michel Gondry - The Science of Sleep

Michel Gondry is, as I would categorize Spike Jonze or Chris Cunningham, a very talented music video director that goes beyond that. He also directed films like Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep, which I got to see this weekend.

The Science of Sleep ( La Science des rêves) is a fantastic love tale about a guy named Stephane with a very vivid imagination who falls in love with a girl that doesn’t share the same feelings as he. And whilst he tries to win her over he lets his dreams take over his waking life where we see how much of an imagination he really has.
The movie has sort of the similar style, but I thought Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was more appealing. Nonetheless a very strong beautiful movie which I’ll be adding to my dvd collection soon. I gave it an 8 out of 10 in my sidebar section.

To get back to the man himself, if you want to see a collection of his music videos and shorts films check out The Work of Director Michel Gondry.
Also check his youtube profile where he solves a rubiks cube “with his feet” and a parody to the Will it blend? videos.

Update: This is a clip revealing how Michel faked the rubiks cube stunt, very inventive.

Beastie Boys - The Mix Up

Bloggin‘ Beastie Boys are getting prepared to release their new album The Mix Up, they’re rockin’ instruments again in this all instrumental album. The first video for the album is Off The Grid, the second one The Rat Cage is viewable after the jump. I’m excited, how bout you?

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Marco Polo “Nostalgia” feat. Masta Ace (dir. Kris Schackman)

Great to see Masta Ace back, he’s appearing on Marco Polo’s hyped-up new album “Port Authority” to remind us why we love this game so much and to proove that Rawkus Records is still alive. (mov/youtube)(making of)

Now I’ll cut back on posting music videos, I swear… Nah.

What’s Up, Fatlip?

Fatlip is a member of the legendary Pharcyde hiphop group and in 2005 released his solo debut The Loneliest Punk with mediocre reviews.

Spike Jonze is mainly a music video and movie director, but a very busy guy: He directed many skateboard videos like Girl’s Yeah Right! and Hot Chocolate, was the star is Fatboy Slim’s Praise You video (check this), co-created the whole Jackass line and much more.

Together they created a pretty funny music video with a documentary/mockumentary about Fatlip’s life, personality and influences.

Here’s a Youtube playlist for the documentary (Just click the “Play all videos” button on the right). Definitely watch part 10 ‘Oh Shit Dating A Transvestite’ , I nearly fell over from laughing.