Some of us are afflicted with an inherent, deeply-rooted lust for the chase. If it comes too easily, we just don't want it. It's a feeling that applies to a whole lotta stuff, but particularly matters of the heart. So naturally, bearing this in mind, I kinda sorta love this here song by MAKE OUT. It's a sentiment I've had on oh so many occasions, and they've wrapped it up nicely in this little ditty and the accompanying video for "I Don't Want Anybody That Wants Me."
The song toes the line between badass, sassy rock and campy silliness, though the video definitely stays more towards the latter with the bright colors, oversize flowers, and goofy facial expressions on the band. It's a super fun song, and a super super fun video. And it kinda makes me feel a little justified. Just a smidge.
There's a lot of love for Fujiya & Miyagi around here, that's for sure. But there's also a whole lotta love for those who (skillfully) remix the fine fine songs of F & M. Take for instance the dastardly doings of Ghost Eyes.
Ghost Eyes takes a typically slinked-up, naughty little Fujiya & Miyagi jam and takes it a step further, adding some underlying, chilly creepiness along with some big ole beats and an enticing hint of the Orient. The video itself pulls from a vintage cartoon about honeymooning animals and the tuxedo cat whose significant other jilted him. Look for the moonwalking at the end, y'all. Great remix and great, unexpected video.
Not surprisingly, one of the easiest ways to get a mention here is to have a song named either something to do with Chris or Megan. The Albertans has that covered with the song "Megan," but they also are so nifty they didn't even have to go that route to get my attention.
Though not all original Albertans, The Albertans are all awesome. Their video for "The Wake" is a good representation of their tunes: Lovely and layered, with just a touch of spooky kookiness thrown in for good measure. Breathy, haunting vocals and a jingly jangle, with the added bonus of folks wearing papier mache monkey masks and tooling around on bikes, not to mention carnival rides? I don't know about you, but I really couldn't ask for more.
As a University of Alabama alum, I would be seriously remiss if I didn't post this here little video for your viewing pleasure, in honor of the Crimson Tide's appearance against Michigan State tomorrow in the Capital One Bowl (Roll Tide).
Now, as regards ESPN, I've long been of the opinion that, aside from the whip-smart SportsNation (we heart Colin and Michelle), the best thing about ESPN is their series of hilarious promo spots. This one is without question one of their best (though the Albert Pujols as a robot one is also daggum hysterical). Perhaps a smidge unrealistic (in my four years in Tuscaloosa I think the only times I said "Roll Tide" to anyone was during football games/during pre- or post-game drinking), but it's pretty rad all the same. And now, without further ado, Roll Tide, y'all.
The So So Glos are definitely among the ranks of the favorites around these parts. That foursome of young rabble rousers is quite enough to give anyone a fit of teenage kicks. But danged if it hasn't been a heck of a long time since I talked about these boys. Time to right that particular ship right this very minute.
The video for "Fred Astaire" features the guys dappering it up in some snazzy suits as they unleash some of their infectious, brashly frenzied NYC rockadoo as a dancer paying homage to Astaire taps and twirls his way around New York, top hat and all. Quality.
I don't know about y'all, but I find something hard to resist about creepy videos. Who needs a boring pop video when you can gaze at your screen in horror or confusion? And I tell you what, SOARS have made them one heck of a creepy (awesome) video.
It's a bizarre, yet beautiful, post-apocalyptic-esque clip featuring director Jamie Harley's splicing of Japanese movie Jigoku, and it's somehow the perfect backdrop for their song "Throw Yourself Apart". I mean, it's got flames aplenty, wacky dancing, and dozens of body parts sticking up out of the ground. It's befuddling, but totally works with the bands' brand of dark, brooding sexy shoegaze plus synths noise. You'll probably be seeing more of this band here, so keep your eyes peeled.
I will forever owe my love of and exposure to Fujiya & Miyagi to my adorable former roommate, Max. If it wasn't for Max, and his fondness for the glorious song "Ankle Injuries", I might never have been exposed to the seductive slink and the expansive shapeshifting of those F&M beats, not to mention some of the most come-hither vocals I've ever heard. Perish the thought indeed.
The Brightonian foursome is getting ready for a January album release, and in the meantime are giving us all nightmares with their new video. Ok, maybe they're just giving me nightmares. But come on. That dude messing with the Fujiya & Miyagi-alike ventriloquist dummies is seven shades of scary. The song itself is fantastic, all velvet and sexy somehow, despite talking about beating someone eight shades of black and eight shades of blue.
The guys in Violens just sent us the video for their song "Violent Sensation Descend." Directed by Alejandro Cardenas, it is the first video from Violens' debut full-length Amoral, out November 9 on Friendly Fire Recordings.
i'm getting ready to call 2010 the Year of Porny Indie Music. Between covers like this to an ever increasing crop of nekkid music videos, seems like today's musician is all about the boobies. And i ain't mad atcha for that.
I could probably do an entire post just on what the Flaming Lips have been doing for their last few videos, but today, we'll just focus on their latest. Sure, the tingly bits are blurred, but i think we all get the idea. As if the giant vagina ball in the beginning wasn't going to tip you off in the first place.
Proving that our Spanish brethren are every bit as weird as their US counterparts, i bring to you the latest from El Guincho's Pop Negro. Entitled "Bombay," this one more than gives the Lips a run for their money. More weirdness AND more boobies!
While this next one has bathing suit clad girls in swimming pools, i'm afraid you're going to have to dial back your nudie expectations for the latest from (The) Tony Castles. Of course, this arguably is the strongest groover of the bunch, so i suppose you'll survive.
Not to harsh your buzz, but here's another non-nekkid video, yet it still speaks to the Gen Xer in me. It's an homage to some of the greatest video games of the '80s, so you know we've got a winner here. When you start off with a nod to "Elevator Action," well, i'm hooked.
Admittedly, this last one has nothing to do with music videos, nor is it particularly adult-ish beyond the very odd boob infatuation, but, damnation, i lurvs me some Japanese TV, and the Ancient Dogoo Girl might just be my new fave character on the tube, now that i think about it. i can only hope that when i eventually have kids, they'll be treated to such fare as this.
Just this morning i learned my old boss, Buddy Guy, is opening his new club tonight in Chicago. As i worked at the last one (greatest job of my life), i felt obligated to attend the new opening. Add in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals, and guess who decided to book a flight a couple of hours ago to Chicago? That's right, biyatches, me. Still, i didn't want to leave you with nothing before i left, so enjoy the following for your viewing pleasure.
Finally looks like that Sir Lusciouc Leftfoot is going to see the light of day. If the couple of singles floating out there are any indication, expect a triumphant return.
This has become my most favoritest Josh Ritter track, and quite frankly, the most bittersweet love song i've heard in a long time. And dig this--the drummer also is a master puppeteer, so HE MADE THE VIDEO!!! Now that's talent right there, kids.
i mentioned this track to you cats a while ago, and it's since started to blow up pretty nicely. See? Once i saw this video, i knew you needed to see that, too.
Yes, i was there for the recording of that CD. i was bar backing that night, as a matter of fact. They planned on releasing even more tracks from the two night affair, but we were making too much noise in the background. i thought breaking bottles would give it that Janis Jopline "Turtle Blues" effect, but the sound guy disagreed. And there's your meaningless factoid for the weekend.
i've been meaning to do a Video Vixens post for a while now, even having gone so far as to compile a list of things i've watched lately that i wanted to share. As i've mentioned in the past, MTV lost anything resembling relevance to me decades ago, and so i wrongly assumed that videos were dead, too. Au contraire, mon frere. Seems nothing could be further from the truth. As long as we're sticking to the truth, however, i should probably point out that i've lost that aforementioned list, so there probably are a couple of gems i wanted you to see that now may never come to pass. Try not to lose any sleep over that fact.
Die Antwoord apparently is a "fake" band, but regardless of that fact, they've actually got a pretty decent sound. Their angle is that they're a South African hip hop group, clearly playing up the "inner city" side, so if you don't understand half of what they're saying and you don't happen to be South African yourself, there you have it. That being said, who else out there it touting their ninja-ness in this day and age? Not nearly enough folks. And is it just me, or does Yo-Landi Vi$$er (the borderline albino singer) have a lil' sumfin sumfin going on?
i've always dug St. Vincent, and i still feel bad that i slept so much on her Actor, which clearly is a stellar piece of work. Here she is with the wonderful THUNDERANT, getting her bookstore groove on.
Clearly, the most fucked up video you will see today. Well, maybe. It's good to see Janeane Garofalo working again, though. Not for the faint of heart. Or crotch, for that matter.
José James is a jazz singer who recently teamed up with Wunder-Producer Flying Lotus. Yes, the following is a K-Swiss commercial, but this track is so damn smooth, it had to be shared. Plus, maybe you need new shoes. i don't know. i'm just trying to be helpful.
A lot of people thought Q-Tip's last joint was pretty good, but i didn't think it was all that and a bag of chips. This track with Norah Jones, though, was out-of-the-park fantastic. The video's not too shabby, either.
You really liked that fucked up Health one, didn't you? Who am i to deny the sick bastard in each of us? i pity the fool that would even try to pull that shit.
No music in today's closer, but it's something to think about nonetheless, particularly if you're trying to figure out what your kid's school play should be next year. And that's the fudging truth, baby.
We here at LET like France quite a lot. There's a lot to like about France; great food, great booze, great style, great films...not to mention the country's storied history. Today commemorates no small part of that vast history, and one of the biggest events in all of the world. Things would likely be drastically different had the French Revolution not happened, that much is a pretty safe assumption.
And so, in honor of Bastille Day, here's a compendium of French music (and pro-French music). Flip open some Voltaire, turn on a classic 60s French film, and pop the cork on your finest bottle of bubbly. Happy Bastille Day, one and all.
My, my, my...Mother Nature sure is cranky these days, isn't she? Perhaps she and her boyfriend Father Time just broke up. Every morning I wake up with naive hopefulness and think to myself that surely, today is the day I shall see the sun shine again, and every morning I open the blinds to find a big old "fuck you" from Mama Nature looking back at me: a painfully dull gray sky and rain. Lots and lots of rain. Copious amounts of rain.
And since the infinite wisdom of the Weather Channel decrees that we here in Richmond (and probably most other locales in the Southeast/Midatlantic) have several more days of rainy goodness to look forward to (not to mention another tornado watch for this evening), I felt inspired to turn my frown upside down with some rain-themed videos for everyone's viewing pleasure. So please, friends, enjoy the following rainy day clips. And don't forget your umbrella.
Rather unbelievable, isn't it, to think that another Xmas is just about upon us. When I was growing up, there were few things I looked forward to more than a White Christmas. As a little pigtailed scamp, Christmastime always seemed so magical, what with the festively-decorated tree and the twinkling lights and the stockings. I always made sure to leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for one S. Claus, too.
These days, I think that a White Christmas is prettier in pictures than in practice (seeing as how I now drive to the old homestead for the holidays), and I know the rather deflating truth about Santa. But there's still something special about holiday music. So, while I've been at home in bed for the past few days (no, not for fun reasons, but because I've been cursed with some sort of plague), I've rounded up some of my all-time faves, and some new favorites, too.
We begin with the somewhat cheesy but totally fabulous David Bowie/Bing Crosby duet on "Little Drummer Boy". It's the meeting of two different styles, and it never ceases to be great. Next up, an even older classic, the purrfect Eartha Kitt lending her feline vocals to "Santa Baby". It's the ultimate in materialistic holiday songs (and so appropriate for the greedy times in which we live). Then it's on to something new, with the Raveonettes'haunting "Christmas Song". We sure are suckers for that Danish duo around these parts. And really, nothing says Christmas like Glam Rock, so I'm throwing in a littleSlade with "Merry Christmas Everybody". I always felt Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad" was one of the best Xmas songs ever recorded, and so he is included here. Hope you get a kick outta the videos.
Unless you live under a rock or are a cranky troll living under a bridge, you know that today is a marginally important day in America. It's Election Day here in the ole US of A, a day full of the promise of a clean slate (or the continuation of the status quo, if you're so inclined). If you're anything like me you're pretty darned happy about the terminus of the slinging of the mud and the obscene spending on television airtime and the kindergarten-esque pointing of the fingers. Oh, and the end of 8 miserable years is pretty exciting, too.
Polls are closed here in Virginia, though you've got a few hours to go in other parts of this fair land of ours. You're probably sitting in front of the TV hanging on every word on every news channel, but to give you something to do when listening to the multitudinous pundits getting their pundit on gets a little old, here's some political-ish videos to hunker down with. As to be expected, I was aiming for a theme here. It's all political, all the time. Well, except when it's not. But I tried.
We begin with this live version of the super fantastic OK Computer-era Radiohead, "Electioneering". Mr. Greenwood shows his ample qualifications on the guitar in this one.
No Election Day compendium would be complete without a little of the incendiary Public Enemy and the classic "Fight the Power".
Next up, straight outta 1968, is Cream's "Politician", as performed at their Farewell show at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Perhaps Sunset Rubdown is more your bag. This, my dear constituents, "They Took a Vote and Said No", is for you.
Thom Yorke makes another appearance on this ticket, this time sharing vocal obligations with Drugstore in the late 90s, sadly forgotten "El President."
I am a proponent of the Welsh party, that's for damn sure. Long-time favorites Super Furry Animals came up with "Presidential Suite", a lovely little number to honor the spirit of Bill and Monica, and it definitely makes me a little nostalgic for those budget surplus days.
And in closing, everyone's (least) favorite part of Presidential elections, the Electoral College, as explained by Schoolhouse Rocks.
And with that, friends, it's time to go join the masses in watching the results pour in.
It's just about that time, boys and ghouls. It's mere moments from being my favorite holiday and pretty much almost favorite day of the year: Halloween. I've already touched upon my love of the "Monster Mash" earlier this week, but I wanted to go ahead and post some videos for a few of my best-love, most classic Halloween-related tunes.
First up, the Warren Zevon delight "Werewolves of London." No Halloween would be complete without it, in my humble opinion. Next, a special little something I found while poking around on the YouTube, a Halloween medley, as performed live in 2004 by those beguiling Dresden Dolls. Also thrown in, naturally, Alice Cooper's "Feed My Frankenstein," a very bad song in a very good way, and thematic to boot. Matt Pond PA's "Halloween" is a great view, this version is live. I love love love the old October Country song "My Girlfriend is a Witch," and whoever spliced together this fabulous clip with all sorts of bewitching ladies is one of my new favorite people in the world. And finally, quite possibly the ultimate Halloween song, in my book, "Night on Bald Mountain." I grew up on classical music (and the Rolling Stones), so I've been hearing this song at Halloween for what seems like forever. And paired with the Fantasia animation, it's pretty much the best Halloween video ever. And now, the videos:
I'd also like to wish you a very Happy Halloween. May you all get all the treats you can handle. Happy Haunting, one and all.
OK, let me see if I can explain the set up here in as short a way as possible. You might remember Jamie Hewlett. He did all the crazy animation for Gorillaz, as well as create the comic "Get the Freebies," which in turned spawned the coolest show I've seen lately, Phoo Action. More recently, however, he's reunited with his Gorillaz cohort Damon Albarn and Chinese actor and director Chen Shi-zheng to work on Journey to the West,a stage adaptation of the Chinese novel of the same name that tells the allegorical tale of Monkey brining Buddhism from India to China.
Confused? Don't fret, just think of it as a mini-Gorillaz reunion performed as a Chinese opera based on a story so incredible I actually have a huge back tat depicting the hero.
Anyway, Hewlett just released a short film based on the entire project and you need to see it.
As for the music, personally, I'm addicted to it. And I am neither a true opera fan nor fluent in Chinese. To get a bit better feel for the production, check this out:
Sadly, the production only is playing in London for now, but a guy can hope it comes Stateside, right?
Halloween is without question my favorite of all holidays. What can I say, I dig dressing up. I'll be donning my new stewardess costume this year (sadly not at the Black Angels/Roky Erickson shows), and so in celebration of this joyous holiday I have decided to post some thematic videos for your enjoyment.
First up, perhaps the most ubiquitous of all Halloween tunes: "The Monster Mash", given to us by Boris Pickett & the Crypt kickers many moons ago. Below we have the original version (as given video form in a DIY clip from the 70s), Gary Glitter's...interesting...version of the song, the classic Misfits' cover, and a cover of the song by a band I simply couldn't resist, because a) I love excruciatingly loud music and b) the band in question is called the Electric Fuck Pirates. How could I resist?
I don't know about you, but for me this is the most wonderful time of the year...
Sometimes, it's best just to let a performance or two speak for itself. One of my brothers just sent me the following links to, dare I say it, the world's greatest underage white rapper from the Boston metro area, Bo Burnham. I know nothing about the kid other than he's got a mini-EP out on iTunes now and he writes some of the most entertaining and well spoken raps I've heard in a long time. Native Tongue would be proud. That's all I'm saying.
Les Enfants Terribles is a Washington, DC music blog. It's run by a music-loving lady who answers to Megan Terrible.
Please note, if you're looking for Terrible Chris, try his new joint.
Le Obligatory Disclaimer
Hear ye, hear ye.MP3s posted here are done so with permission wherever possible. If you like the bands you hear on this site, you should without question support them. Buy their music, go see them on tour, and/or buy their merch.
PLEASE NOTE: If you're a band and no longer want your music posted on this site, or a label that does not want a band's music posted herein, please write meganterrible@gmail.com, and the ship will be righted immediately, if not sooner.
Also note, LET is all about the musical lovin. Which means, only music I love will appear here. You've been warned.
Some of us are afflicted with an inherent, deeply-rooted lust for the chase. If it comes too easily, we just don't want it. It's a feeling that applies to a whole lotta stuff, but particularly matters of the heart. So naturally, bearing this in mind, I kinda sorta love this here song by MAKE OUT. It's a sentiment I've had on oh so many occasions, and they've wrapped it up nicely in this little ditty and the accompanying video for "I Don't Want Anybody That Wants Me."
