Sad Kermit covers Elliott Smith's "Needle In The Hay"

I'll tell ya, that bloody Sad Kermit will get you every time. He's done Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt", among others, and now he's covering Elliott Smith, who passed away a few years back.

This is "Needle In The Hay", which you might recognise from The Royal Tenenbaums. Truly, a meditation on heroin addiction only comes into its own when tackled by a green felt frog. A lot of YouTube commenters have got predictably hot under the collar over this cover, but I'm a huge Elliott Smith fan and found it funny. I mean come on, it's a muppet playing a sad song on the guitar.

This is the last of today's Muppet-related posts, honest...

Peaches and The Muppets' "F*ck The Pain Away" video mash-up

In case you're not familiar with Peaches' track "Fuck The Pain Away", and are unable to glean from the title that it may be of a slightly adult nature, this is Not Safe For Work. Or Children. Or Your Mum.

This video mash-up, which comes via our friends at Dollymix, was created by a student at the University of San Francisco. The kicker? It was made for a class assignment and the student got an A++. Well deserved, say I... see what you reckon over the page.

Interpol's "Rest My Chemistry" video: perfect for stoners

Does MTV still have that rule - and it may just have been in the States - where they'll only play music videos that contain like 60% performance-based imagery? I was just pondering that because, in these YouTube-mungous days, surely MTV's influence has declined a hell of a lot; and therefore artists can go and release innovative videos without worrying about lack of exposure.

Take the lastest Interpol vid. It's basically just a load of swirling shapes and stuff, rather like South Park's Planetarium, only a bit prettier and less likely to brainwash you. Ten years ago it would have gone more or less unseen. Today you can watch it over and over and over and over and over and over, and for free. Right here.

I wouldn't watch it that many times though, or that brainwashing thing might actually *CLICK*ON*THE*GAYMERS*ADS* come true.

See if you can withstand any subliminal messages after the click.

Barry Cox as Gok Pak-Wing: the Liverpudlian Canto-Pop star

How far would you go to be a popstar? Would you put yourself through X Factor auditions? Would you star in, and subtly release to the tabloids, your own sex tape? Would you learn Chinese, move to China, and become a Canto-Pop singer?

That's what this guy, Barry Cox, from Liverpool, has done. It's a pretty big commitment, and this mini-doc from Current.com doesn't really tell us how successful he's been as "Gok Pak-Wing", but when you see someone make this much effort to chase their dream you can't help but wish them good luck. Keep an ear out next time you go out for a Chinese - that might be Bazza crooning away as you sip your green tea...

Check out his story over the page.

Chromeo's "Fancy Footwork" video: they've got legs and they know how to use them

I've never been afraid of declaring my luuurve for Chromeo. If you've seen them live, or indeed just glimpsed their most recent album cover, you'll know that a recurring visual motif of theirs is the whole "women's legs chopped off and propped up for decoration" vibe.

They've taken the concept to that tricky next level in their new video, for Fancy Footwork's title track, with lots of legs dancing about sans any pesky torsos to weigh them down. And before you start saying it's sexist, there are male legs on display as well. Sure, they're not in tights and high-heels, but would you really want to see that?

Taxicab Classics: Toto - "Hold The Line"

The sun's shining, you're bombing around in your motor (or a cab, if you've been hitting the cider), and you need some classic rock. You select Toto's "Hold The Line". You sing along to both the words and the riffs. You recall the video, with the slightly chubby singer and the frankly appalling hairstyles. For three minutes and fifty-eight seconds, all is right with the world.

Then it ends :(

Justice's "Stress" video deserves a f*cking ASBO

There is something about this video that makes it more disturbing than deliberately shocking clips like The Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up". The verité style is very effective, and you can recognise many of the actions from recent news stories about feral youth and all that. There aren't many music videos that makes me want to lock my door and never go out again, but this joins every Westlife video ever in that rarefied category.

Click over and prepare to whimper "mummy!".

Spiritualized's "Soul On Fire" song/video combination is neither unpleasant nor surprising

They've done many good things, Spiritualized - but does it not say something about them that I kind of knew exactly what their new single would sound like before I'd even pressed play?

It builds and builds. It has strings. It employs the word "baby" repeatedly, in a blissed-out manner. It would sound brilliant over the end credits of a completely inappropriate romantic comedy. The video features Jason lying down, then getting up, then lying down again.

Fin.

Oh yeah - see it over the page.

Fin. Again.

Tapes 'N Tapes' "Hang Them All" video features brutal (cardboard) gun crime

"Hang Them All" has been a regular on the office stereo recently, but if you'd told me that the video would feature a war between the owners of two 98 cent stores, I would have slapped you. With your own hand.

But sure enough, that's the vignette they've gone with. It is rather amusing, and works strangely well with ver Tapes' new tune. Click over to avoid any more of that slapping stuff I mentioned earlier.

The Ting Tings' iPod + iTunes ad probably won't do their career too much harm

They were already doing pretty well Stateside, but getting the nod from the ad folk at Apple to appear in one of their era-defining commercials should mean The Ting Tings can sell out venues of a slightly larger size before too long. They will also be able to buy as much fizzy pop as they like, which may make their next "product" even more jumpyshouty.

See the ad over the page. Although you can probably guess more or less how it goes...

Pop Heaven: Annie - "I Know Ur Girlfriend Hates Me"

So has Robyn stolen the space Annie was hoping to take in the charts, or has she just opened the doors for another Scandi-pop marvel?

Popjustice don't seem too impressed with this as a comeback single, but I think it's irresistible... until the ning-ning-ning bit, when it goes a bit wrong. But then it goes right again, so that's OK. In other news, Annie's forthcoming new album Don't Stop is supposed to be 'mazing.

Of note in the video: eye shadow that makes Annie look like Dame Barbara Cartland. Not a whole lot else, tbh. Check it out after the click.

Where Have I Heard That Song Before?: Minnie Ripperton 'Les Fleur'

H&M; are using it, as did Bailey's a while ago. Minnie Ripperton's 'Les Fleurs' has been long loved on the breaks scene, and rightly so. Of course, Minnie is best known for her crystal shattering 'Loving You', but for me, 'Les Fleur' is by far her best and most outrageous work.

[video:hoopkim]

Lost In Translation - More horrendous Eurovision with CoCo

When people think of British Eurovision entries, Bucks Fizz are never usually far from mind. Well, Cheryl Baker, kids TV chef and Fizz crooner, will probably do her best to forget her appearance with the dire CoCo who chirruped about the 'Bad Old Days'. Seriously. Depressin' huh? Well, click and watch. Chances are you'll want to forget it too. [video:yozzerhughes]

Taxicab Classics - 'If You Leave Me Now' by Chicago

I made a rare trip to London this weekend and as such, spent loads of time in taxis. The tune of the weekend (for the cab drivers at least) would have been a fictional tune about ripping people off, or Chicago's sumptuous crap-but-good pop of 'If You Leave Me Now'. So, seeing as I can't find a video for a made up tune, let's have a look at Chicago and their lovely hair.

[video: rudyvalencia]

Mystery Jets' "Two Doors Down" video probably has shuttlecocks down its pants

It's amazing that music video pastiches of 80s fashions can still entertain. There have been LOADS of them. But this attempt by Mystery Jets still works for me. Possibly that's because I'm a sucker for The Wedding Singer, but it could also be because the song's as catchy as all get out. I was resisting Mystery Jets, but there's no point trying not to enjoy this song. NO POINT. It's going to be huge.

Ballet's first outing on My Chemical Toilet, thanks to Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?"

This little clip fits neatly into the box marked "Delightful". Or "Awww". Or "Huh. That was interesting." Or "I was kind of turned on until the kiddies showed up". Or "If all ballet was set to indie rock classics I might entertain the possibility of watching it a little more. Or ever, in fact". Big box, that last one, to fit that title.

Enough wittering. Watch this melding of cultures over the page.'Tis good.

Under The Covers (in reverse): Tony Tribe's 'Red Red Wine'

If you get caught whistling 'Red Red Wine', you run the risk of getting lamped by someone. Hardly surprising when you consider the fact that most people associate the song with the terrible UB40. The song was actually originally a firecracking ska number by Tony Tribe and you can listen to it here. It's a winner. Time to reappraise.

[video:firebladerr1]

One-Hit Wonderful: 'She's Not There' by The Zombies

Unbelievable really. The Zombies are one of the most talented bands who ever graced the airwaves... but they only really had one massive hit, the sublime mod-jazz-pop of 'She's Not There'. There's nothing I can add to make this song more majestic. Watch and weep that all music isn't this good.

[video: Alquit4]

Soulwax Part Of The Weekend Never Dies tour documentary trailer

As The Lipster put it, "tour movies are generally as dull as James Blunt". This offering from Soulwax really does look like something a little more interesting though.

Of course trailers are designed to make films look as good as possible, but this looks like an exciting, frenetic portrait of life playing in front of thousands of party-mad insaniacs every damn week. You can see the film at selected UK cinemas this month, or pick up the DVD in August.

Check it out and consider jacking in the day job over the page.

New Shortwave Set single - 'No Social' - video here

Do you like quirky pop with a brain? Of course, I'm not talking about pop that you get in a can... a brain in some Tizer would just ming. Nope, I'm talking about good ol' pop music with sass and sleaze. Then you probably like the Shortwave Set. If you don't really know, then here's your chance to find out. They've got a new single coming out called 'No Social' and you can watch the exclusive video here... if you click over the jump.

The Shortwave Set are also playing the following some live dates, which I advise you catch 'em at. They are: 3 May - London - Clash Club at 93 Feet East, 17 May - Brighton - The Great Escape, 31May - Leeds - Wax:On @ Lotherton Hall

Where Have I Heard That Song Before?: 'Feathers' by Andrew Weatherall from the Volkswagen Tiguan ad

You may have seen a commercial recently, starring a Volkswagen Tiguan. Well, in it is a tune by one of electronic music's true pioneers, Andrew Weatherall. His 'Feathers' track is the one featured here, but before that, Weatherall has been in Two Lone Swordsmen, Sabres of Paradise as well as essentially creating the masterpiece that was Screamadelica for Primal Scream. Salute him.

[video: soundstick62]

Rave Digging: SL2 - "Way In My Brain"

If you're familiar with SL2 at all, it's probably more for "On A Ragga Tip" than this number. But as good as that was, I always preferred "Way In My Brain". Always seemed a bit more jaunty, if early 90s breakbeat rave can be described as such without inviting ridicule. It can't? Cuh.

SL2 featured legendary DJ Matt "Slipmatt" Nelson, who I was all set to see at some bar in Canterbury once, but he never showed up. Crushing it was, at the time. Pretty sure I caught him at Bagleys some other time, although my memory of the occasion is hazy, to put it mildly. Anyway, time to flail your arms around before putting them in the air for the piano bit, I reckon...

It's Good To Talkshow: Britney Spears on Letterman

Letterman has had a stupidly wide variety of acts on his show from Tom Waits to... Britney Spears. Yep. Making a grand-ass entrance at the back of the theatre, Brit' struts and half mimes and live woos her way through 'I'm A Slave 4 U'. Of course, with her being rather unwell at the moment, it's worth having a look at her when she was on her game. Whatever game that was.

[video:fikret09]

Dispatches From Beardsville - Happy Birthday Glen Campbell!

There's no folkie, singer songwritery news today. So, seeing as the sun is out and I'm in the mood for some sumptuous pop to see me through the afternoon, let's sink into the golden strains of Glenn Campbell. A random choice? No way! It's Glen's birthday today! He's a grand ol' 72! Now, here's his most famous (although not necessarily best) hit, 'Wichita Lineman'.

[video:honkytonkdude]

Lost In Translation: Weird Eurovision with Marty Brem

On the surface of it, Marty Brem is just an Austrian crooner chancing his arm at fame via the Eurovision Song Contest. However, back in 1981, no-one was really prepared for the weird show he put on. His dancers, sometimes moving in slow-motion, wore a bizarre array of clothing, with one sporting a gold leotard with a number seven on it... topped off with an American footballer's helmet. Watch and learn. Marty didn't. He failed the year before with Blue Danube performing 'Du Bist Musik'. Anyway, here's Marty with 'Wenn du da bist'.

[video:escjesc]

The Millioners' "Body Into Use" video - a paint-throwing bonanza

I was watching this video earlier and two people looked over my shoulder to ask what it was. Which may give you an idea that it's a little bit good, or at least different enough to warrant a look.

"Body Into Use" sans images is pretty good in a slinky, electro-house kind of way, but the video features lots of amazing throwing of paint, which is always enough to distract me from whatever the hell else is going on. You know what else is good? The Millioners are Finnish. Therefore this is likely to be the best Finnish music video you've seen today/in your life. You're welcome.

See it over the page, yes?

Taxicab Classics - 'I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)' by Halls and Oates

Hall and Oates 'I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)' is, without question, the greatest Taxicab Classic ever recorded. There is no better. As far as MOR goes, this is the apex, the pinnacle, the Mona Lisa... listen, stop reading and press play already! [tax]

One-Hit Wonderful - 'I Wish' by Skee-Lo

It's customary to give the real name of a rapper in articles. So, Skee-Lo (born Antoine Roundtree) had a big hit in '95 with the De La-flavoured 'I Wish' which is probably the most famous hip-hop track dealing specifically with being a short-arse. Anyway, have fun git-gittin' down to this... altogether now, "I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller...".

[video:dodokun82]

La Blogotheque capture Bon Iver at his best in San Francisco

When I did a short post on Bon Iver last month one of the frustrating things was the lack of decent video out there to accompany it. You can consider that problem solved, because the good people at La Blogotheque have recently posted some terrific clips of Justin Vernon (for that's his real name) performing in San Francisco.

La Blogotheque have great form in capturing unique performances (a giggling Grizzly Bear doing "Knife" a capella while wandering through the streets of Paris is one of my favourite videos of recent years), and the Bon Iver show is beautifully filmed. Beginning with an almost uncomfortably intimate close-up, the camera gradually pulls back as the songs build to their crescendos. It's a testament to both performer and cameraman Nate Chan that the videos already look like classic footage. Enjoy "Wolves (Act I & II)" over the page.

Where Have I Heard That Song Before?: Isaac Hayes - 'Run Fay Run'

Recently, Vauxhall advertised something called an Antara. Sod the product! Just what was that funkyass track at the back? Well, that track bruthas and sistas is the Black Moses of funk, brother Isaac Hayes and his dynamite 'Run Fay Run'. Yessir, it's the Stax-man who you may recall provided a voice for chef in South Park.

Of course, there's much more to Hayes than a dumbass cartoon. He's been sampled to hell with the beautiful strings of 'Ike's Rap' and of course, scored blaxploitation flick, Shaft. Also, Hot Buttered Soul from '69 is one of the greatest soul LPs ever made. But wait! Back to 'Run Fay Run'... I know it from somewhere else! Yep. You may well have heard it on the Kill Bill Soundtrack. If you still don't know what I'm talking about, click over and press play.

Forwarding Fodder - A bloke shows us how to sing like T-Pain

There's loads of kerfuffle on the web about this bloke called T-Pain. Now, T-Pain's a soul crooner... but everyone reckons he can't sing for toffee. The spat seems to be over the use of Autotune (that thing that made Cher sound really weird). Well, some bloke has rigged up Autotune to show us how to sound jus' like T-Pain... and the results are pretty funny. This'll be doing the rounds in your inbox any day now. Enjoy. [video: bnkrecords]

The Futureheads want a girl with a "Radio Heart"

Good on The Futureheads for still being around. They've been through it, having been dropped from their label after their second album. The first song from forthcoming new album This Is Not The World was rather good, and their new one, from isn't too shoddy either. Although finding a girl with a radio heart is a big ask, so good luck to them on that. Check out their new video over the page.

It's Good To Talkshow - Goldfrapp bring some 'Happiness' on Wossy

Goldfrapp are a group that can't sit still. Kicking off their career with unsettling ethereal electronic orchestrations, before re-emerging as synth-glam pervs and now, psychedelic popsters. Godda hand it to 'em, they keep things interesting. And I fancy Alison Goldfrapp. Anyway, here's the group performing the bouncing summery joy of 'Happiness' on the Jonathan Ross show. [video: floppopdotcom]

Pop Heaven: Alphabeat - "10,000 Nights"

They're not reinventing the wheel, Alphabeat, but there's something endearing about them and at the end of the day, Brian, how wrong can you go with catchy songs performed with real instruments?

It's probably been said elsewhere previously, but the front two strike me as mainstream pop music's equivalent of Saturday night psycho-siblings Same Difference. Somehow, that's a good thing.

Anyway, "10,00 Nights" obviously isn't as good as "Fascination", but not much is. You can tell in the video that curly parting man desperately wants to do some more of that "gay abandon" dancing from the "Fascination" video, but the tone of the song won't allow it because it's a bit more serious and that. Check it out by clicking over.

Lost In Translation - More Eurovision madness with Bebi Dol singing 'Brazil'

Singing! Dance routines! Brightly coloured clothes! Big hair! What more could you want from a pop star? Well, all of the above done to something resembling 'competent'. Yep, this week's Eurovision Lost In Translation is Yugoslavia's Bebi Dol singing the dismal 'Brazil' at the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest in Rome. Bebi Dol's outfit and make-up combo makes her look like a trashy Jordan. Yes, you read right. Terry Wogan closes the video by saying "skin and hair flying everywhere". And they wondered why it came second to last! [video: ricardo266]