Video Lunch: The Virgins - "Private Affair"

 

Too many... grainy strippers... You know what, The Virgins? I'm unaccustomed to strippers making me feel so uncomfortable ... but now I kind of love you for it. Maybe it's just the straight boys who play around  with sexuality that gets to me, but this groovy melody is pretty catchy ... if a bit weird.

Yes, the old-school porn vibe of the newbie New York band's music video is more unnerving than it is sexual, which is what they were going for, I'm sure ... unless they really were trying to turn on audiences with those short-shorts and sports bras.

 

Video Lunch: The Hush Sound - "Honey"

 

I'm further reminded I love Pete Wentz's taste - among other things about him - as Chicago quartet The Hush Sound is signed to his Decaydence label. See? I did have an excuse to bring him up.

Anyway, the crew has a new album, Goodbye Blues, which differs from previous endeavors, So Sudden and Like Vines, in that Greta Salpeter has pretty much taken over vocals. Her sweet voice and perky melodies combo-ed with the indie, piano rock make for a cool, blues-y sound; peeps are digging it.

For the "Honey" video, the men - P.S. At least one of them has got to be gay - tempt Greta in various areas - and colors. Money, love and fame? They'll be the death of her!

 

 

In the mood for some more Decaydance band videos I like? Check 'em out after the jump.

 

Video Lunch: The Presets - "My People"

Oh, spazzy! My new-found, possibly-gay loves. I know they've been around a while, but thanks to NNN's feature I'm discovering the trashy, electro, creepy wonders of Australian duo The Presets. And the pair's newest video, "My People," which could have the gayest lyrics ever ... "locked up with all of my people!" ... is after the jump.

The duo, Kimberly and Julian - and I couldn't have come up with gayer names if I tried - is all about sweaty partying and free sex, and they call their style of music "Spazzzzdancefaggggrock!" ...Yeah, they give the best interviews too.

Watch the vid and get some interview snippets after the jump...

Video Lunch: Cascada - "What Hurts The Most"

Well, more of a "Video Breakfast," but I couldn't wait to post on Cascada 'cause I just love them like that. "What Hurts The Most" has actually been out for a while now; this video here is just a new cut.

Cascada's Perfect Day album will in fact come to the U.S. March 4 with a new track list and album cover. I was worried for a second there ... and yeah, that cover kind of blew. They better keep the "Just Like a Pill" cover, though! And you'll love "What Hurts The Most" - especially if you were an "Everytime We Touch" fan ... which you were.

Watch new "What Hurts The Most" video after the jump...

Video Lunch: Bjork - "Declare Independence"

Bjork's  Volta album is a mega-hit with the entire world, but gays love her in disproportionate amounts.  I need to jump on the wagon; I don't quite...get her. The video for "Declare Independence" actually hit the Web last month, and I do enjoy its concept - courtesy of French director Michel Gondry.

Bjork "connects" with her military audience, calling them to "raise their own flag," and incites stomping and trance-y excitement. It's cool, but it feels sinister at times - especially with Bjork's scary hissing. ...Or maybe I'm just remembering how she kicks peoples' asses at airports.

Watch the video after the jump...

Video Lunch: Mika - "Grace Kelly"

Mika's so weird when I think about it. I just watched the "Grace Kelly" video again; really - what's going on? Remember the red onesie? And he's always recruiting children for his Life in Cartoon Motion album...it makes sense with the concept, and I like him...he's just a big weird-o.

Now, the really important question: Why am I posting a super-old video like "Grace Kelly?" Well, Number 1, I swear Mika acts even gayer in this video than he currently does. He must not have been trying as hard to break into the U.S. back then. Now he's all "unlisted" and straight-acting. Well, actually he's not acting straight - who am I kidding? But still, it's not cool, Mika! No one who doesn't like gay people is going to like your music, anyway. Not that I'm implying anything.

Whoops! To answer your question, I snagged this video from the NewNowNext music page, which is currently featuring the best videos from 2007. Check 'em out before they're gone; the last episode of the year of the actual NewNowNext show, which does exist (I know, right?), will air this Sunday.

Enjoy Mika is cute-bizarre (straight!) glory...

Video Lunch: Girl In a Coma - "Say"

When it comes to visuals, I have nothing but good things to say about this video. I don’t think of Girl in a Coma as a band with all the budget in the world, so the fact they created something so creative and professional-looking is definitely a credit to them (or whoever they hired)!

I’m not as opinionated when it comes to what these San Antonio rockers are talking about in their "Say" track: “You will stay or go. / I made you up inside my head but don’t save me, no don’t save me.” Hm? But their sound is cool.

The girls refer to their hometown as “land of puffy tacos, Lone Star Beer, and the place where Ozzy pissed on the Alamo," and their band name refers to the two-minute Smiths song, "Girlfriend in a Coma." What’s the connection, though? Perhaps just their way of acknowledging their inspiration, but putting their own spin on it.

So last year, producers in L.A. asked the girls to participate in a documentary about Latino bands. When they met Joan Jett (and her producing partners) as part of the documentary, Joan’s Blackheart label signed them right away. Their debut album, Both Before I’m Gone, came out this year.

Video Lunch: Kate Nash - "Foundations"

If you call her "The Next Lily Allen," God help you; you'll soon face the wrath of a poorly-spelled MySpace tirade! (How I live for those tirades, though.) But get it straight: Kate Nash and Miss Lily only have their sex, youth and London-hometown in common.

I'm not sure if the press comparisons between the two singers stemmed more from their musical stylings and similar, conversational lyrics or more from Lily listing Kate as her MySpace friend (which led to a huge jump in Kate’s popularity). But there's no denying it: Lily is the Oprah of MySpace, and her friends listings are like her Favorite Things! Sort of.

Kate came out with her debut album, Made of Bricks, in June, and the CD hit the UK Number 1 spot. So Kate doesn't really need Lily anymore, even though Kate’s single, “Foundations” (also today’s featured video), only got record label attention this summer when Lily threw to it.

You know you wanna! Check out a MySpace parody and blog rants from both ladies...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Tegan & Sara - "The Con"

The Canadian, identical twins Tegan and Sara are on their fifth studio album (not bad!), and MTV even featured them as an Artist of the Week. That means I heard them during commercials for Tila Tequila and Real World! (I also remember seeing them make a strange, hash-brown/shepard's pie-esque dish...)

Anyway! The new video for the title track of their album got my attention even more than their cooking lesson did; I think it's somehow both exciting and terribly sad. The video features one sis hunting for the other, as she speaks to an apathetic therapist.

The lyrics from The Con are not typical; as Rolling Stone put it, "as lesbians who never reference their oppression or even their sexuality, Tegan and Sara don't have men to lash out at, put up with or gripe about." Good. And I'm a big fan of the lines about being capsized and the "nobody likes to but I really like to cry" one. Now which one wrote which...?

Video Lunch: Estelle - "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)"

Another didn't-catch-on-in-the-U.S. frustration...and I'm guilty! I had never heard of the lovely, British Estelle (whose previous album, The 18th Day, apparently played everywhere in the world save America), but I'm loving her new single, "Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)." It's nothing like the Pussycat Dolls song, if you're like me and that was your first thought. No?

John Legend signed Estelle to his new HomeSchool label, and the man makes a bouncer cameo in this video, which I really recommend. Estelle shows a lot of range, and the beat is sick! Don't you love the lines, "I'm through with you. Get your shoes on, 'cause I'm usin' you."?

Estelle's new album is called Shine (eh, couldn't come up with something better?), and it's due out February 12, 2008.

More on Estelle and her new album (which feature some A-list collabos) after the jump!

Video Lunch: Josh Zuckerman - "Be Real"

Josh Zuckerman's been a Logo fave since he stepped on the music scene as an out singer; his single, "Out From Under," held the Number 1 spot on the channel for six weeks. Not bad, Josh. You're doin' something right!

The video for today, "Be Real," is the follow-up single from Josh's Out From Under album...and maybe you can be a judge of what the heck is going on in this video. Josh sings that he's "tired of inconsistencies," after he runs over a hitchhiking clown and claims his glittered mannequin arm. Yeah - I don't know. That last locale of the video is totally gorgeous, though.

And Josh is doing good work, of course! And he'll be performing in and around the New York and New Jersey area for the rest of the year.

Video Lunch: Sara Bareilles - "Love Song"

Pianist Sara Bareilles says she doesn’t mind current comparisons to Norah Jones and Fiona Apple (what newbie wouldn’t?), but she has her own talent and her own gigs going for her already. Her debut album with Epic Records, Little Voices (which she says “chronicles” her “basket-case-ness”), came out in July of this year, and she’s already opened for Mika, Maroon 5 and Aqualung. She also headlined a tour with Jon McLaughlin.

And it's not like Epic put this whole record together for her: Six of the tracks on Little Voices are re-recorded from songs on Sara's independent demo, Careful Confessions.

Sara grew up in Eureka, California and moved to L.A. to attend UCLA, where she studied communications and began to write and perform locally. But she’s a little new to be feeling like a performing puppet, as her music video suggests, don’t ya think? Maybe these are all former lovers forcing her to perform. Hmmm...that would be interesting...

Video Lunch: Duran Duran - "Falling Down"

Duran Duran has still got it, boys: As you probably know, the glam rockers have a new album coming out called Red Carpet Massacre (listen to the full album on LOGO right now) - and the featured video for today is their Justin Timberlake-produced lead single.

Yup, J.T. co-wrote, and did backup for, the “Falling Down” track, and unlike his contribution to Rihanna’s album (another song called “Rehab”), this one doesn’t sound like it was straight out of the FutureSex pile. Although, this track also involves the whole rehab thing...

The video features the Duran boys as doctors at an insane asylum/rehab facility (or both?) for young models. The version here is actually sans the super-long intro; you can check out the full version, which features a skeezy guy forcing a model into the facility, while telling her he loves her. Very creepy.

More on the video...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Natasha Bedingfield ft. Sean Kingston - "Love Like This"

There are a lot of things I like about Natasha Bedingfield: She wrote "Unwritten," which will forever be The Hills theme song in my mind (so only positive associations there), as well as "Single," which was unabashedly awesome. Also, her brother, Daniel, had that super-gay song from 2002, "Gotta Get Through This." And finally, she was born in New Zealand, which is pretty cool.

But I'm not liking everything: She and her siblings used to be the members of Christian band The DNA Algorithms...and she's calling her U.S. sophomore album Pocket Full of Sunshine, instead of its original (and much, much better) name, N.B. Why Natasha, why? And not that I don't like this song, but the U.K. lead single is called, "I Wanna Have Your Babies," which just sounds far better.

Well, "Love Like This" is our first taste of Pocket Full of Sunshine (due in January) and features Natasha being all chill and happy with a hot guy at a pretty wholesome party. Definitely enjoyable.

Video Lunch: Amy Winehouse - "Back to Black"

Sometimes Amy Winehouse just seems so unprepared for the fame Back to Black brought her...but that album was just too good - I'm sorry. I know some of her critics say she's played into it all; I'm not sure. I just know I love her.

I also love the track for today's featured video (definitely my favorite of the album), and I'm glad the video turned out so well. However, watching it now, I can't help but think of Amy's less-than-stellar performance of "Back to Black" at the EMAs...

Check a clip of the performance...if you're ready for a train wreck...after the jump.

Video Lunch: Timbaland f/ OneRepublic - "Apologize"

Another MySpace phenom...I love these! The video for today technically comes from Timbaland’s album, Shock Value (I do love Timbaland, don’t get me wrong), but the real credit goes to MySpace band OneRepublic. Timbaland remixed the band's track for his album (you can hear the original on OneRepublic’s MySpace page – but the remix is better), and the guys must welcome the exposure as their debut album is coming soon.

Well, maybe they don’t even need the extra exposure (but who can say no to Timbaland?), as OneRepublic is currently the second most popular Indie band on MySpace. (They were Number 1 for a while, even though they didn't have an album.) Lead singer Ryan Tedder has also been a successful music writer and producer before his face started gracing videos: He’s worked with J. Lo, Lil’ John and Natasha Bedingfield, among others.

I’m pretty into the song...and with Ryan Tedder’s vocals (although he looks way too much like Spencer from The Hills).

Video Lunch: Chromeo - "Bonafide Lovin'"

Chromeo is the electro-funk (and self-proclaimed ultra-sensual) duo based in Montreal and New York; the pair consists of P-Thugg and Dave 1, a union which, according to Chromeo's MySpace, marks "the only successful Arab/Jew partnership since the dawn of human culture."

Hmm...I'm kind of liking these guys' humor...along with their dirty-polygons music video...They came out with their second album, Fancy Footwork, in May as part of their "sensual conquest of planet Earth." The duo's debut album, She's In Control, dropped in 2004...and even though it did well, David M. admits that now, "the first one sounds cheap and gimmicky" in comparison to his new endeavor.

And Dave 1's got the brains to go along with that talent (and those looks): His mild-mannered alter-ego, Dave Macklovitch, is working on his PhD in French Literature from Columbia University. (He even teaches undergraduate classes!)

I wonder if students view him as an authority figure...Well, he'd probably have to fend off overly-eager female students first and foremost...with all that talk of "bonafide lovin'" and "sensual conquest" we've been hearing.

Video Lunch: Ben Jelen - "Where Do We Go?"

Ben Jelen (whose name is just too fun to say) is a bit pretentious for my tastes, but his single for his sophomore album, Ex-Sensitive, is pretty good. I'm kind of surprised it's not doing better on the charts. Well, check out this overlooked track (and this beautiful face), along with some little hand-drawn narrations. (I wonder if Ben did those himself...)

Ex-Sensitive, which came out in July of this year from the Scottish-American multi-instrumentalist, may be Ben's second album, but it's only his first with Linda Perry's Custard Records. Ben switched labels (he started with Maverick) after poor sales of his debut, Give It All Away. Not sure if this album's doing any better - maybe Ben should have taken Joseph Janus of Fearless Management's original offer of a career as a model!

He certainly has the looks! Keep reading for an interview with a shirtless Ben (no complaints) in which he discusses his environmentalism and the "Pulse" track from his new album.

Video Lunch: Mark Ronson ft. Lily Allen - "Oh My God"

Mark Ronson's overall sexiness is pretty much off-the-charts for me, so I'm a little jealous of Lily Allen in this video (well, a cartoon version of Lily Allen) when she asks, "Was that right for you, Mark?"

But anyway! Today's video, a cover of Kaiser Chief's track, is from DJ Mark Ronson and his 2007 album, Version (which is loaded with cool covers). And, of course, the vocals come from that crazy, little Lily Allen - in Jessica Rabbit-eqsue cartoon form, no less. The video's pretty genius - and who doesn't love close-ups of cartoon boobs?

When the camera does pan away from Mark (which is always sad), check for the Kaiser Chiefs cameo!

Video Lunch: Regina Spektor - "Better"

There's something strange to me about seeing Regina Spektor jam with a bunch of clones...and jamming about sweet and motherly things, like kissing you and making it all better. No? I'm the only one kind of creeped out? And what's with the XBox?

Well, anyway...Regina's fourth album, Begin to Hope, propelled the Russian-born singer from performances at small venues in Manhattan's Lower East side to the major success she enjoys today. Begin to Hope came out in summer 2006 at the mere Number 70 spot...but because everyone became obsessed with that "Fidelity" song, the album jumped to Number 20.

And what do we think about that clicking noise she starts making at the end? OK, I don't know what my issue is; I do like this song...

Video Lunch: Fergie - "Clumsy"

I’m happy Fergie’s put out five singles for her album, The Dutchess, at this point…I’m by no means Fergie’s biggest fan, but that was a good album, plain and simple. And although I agree with some comments that “Clumsy,” single Number 5, isn’t that radio-friendly, I really do like it – and I liked it back when I bought The Dutchess. (The track samples from Little Richard’s “The Girl Can’t Help It,” by the way.)

The video's also cute and well-done...and I’ve also never seen Fergie look so good as she did on that DSquared2 runway (or on that pop-up book version of a runway, anyway) before her Janice Dickinson-esque fall. Later on, for that car scene, Fergie goes totally dragalicious, which is hard not to love.

And I’m glad they crammed the excessive lip-gloss and cell-phone product placement into the very end. If you gotta do it...

Video Lunch: Britney Spears - "Gimme More"

We've all seen Britney attempting to be a stripper for her "Gimme More" video a thousand times by now  (OK, maybe that's just me), but come on, you know you like that song...and it'll get you back into Britney Mode before you listen to her full Blackout album, streaming on LOGOonline right now!

Yup, Britney's fifth studio album got pushed up to October 30, but you can listen to the whole thing today - and I actually can't recommend it enough. I'm pretty obsessed with it; it's just so much better than those online leaks (and Britney herself, lately - let's be honest) made it out to be.

But as far as the "Gimme More" video...although it's an improvement from Britney's VMAs performance of the track, she can definitely do better (Check my and LOGOonline Producer Jon Mallow's take on the video in last week's NNN Noise vlog!)

My take on Blackout...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Kenna - "Say Goodbye to Love"

A bunch of music big-wigs all love Kenna - and have for a while now – and they’re getting pretty sick of his lack of mainstream success (check on Kenna's appearance in 2005’s Blink after the jump). In fact, Kenna got the title idea for his sophomore album, Make Sure They See My Face, from Pharrell, who insisted Kenna get the exposure he deserved this time around.

The album’s lead single and NNN featured video is, according to Kenna, designed to evoke the most “confusing point” in his life. I think it definitely evokes being f-ed up and wandering around the street – beyond that, though, I couldn’t really tell you what happens in the video. But Kenna, who was born in Ethiopia, but grew up in Virgina Beach, takes pride in confusing people and being indefinable…and there is something cool and funky about the song I really love.

Kenna’s album came together with the help of Pharrell, as well as fellow Neptunes-er, Chad Hugo (with whom Kenna went to high school); one track even features back-up vocals from Justin Timberlake. Hugo has described the new album as less dark than Kenna’s first album, New Sacred Cow, which got great reviews but wasn’t a commercial success.

Video Lunch: Avril Lavigne - "Hot"

Ah, the second track from Avril Lavigne's album, The Best Damn Thing, to send the message, I'm really horny. Work it, Avril! And this song is amazing - despite the lyrics.

I've gone over this, but I just wish I could watch the "Hot" video with a bag over Avril's head. Not that she's a but-her-face, but because she has that "I'm bored" look in her eyes, while her body language and the production are so great.

Well - the song itself is enough; whatever Avril's crew did to her voice for the refrain sounds fantastic, although (again) the lyrics could use a re-write. To her man, she says, "You make me wanna drop."

Drop? Drop what, Avril?

Oh, and according to Avril's MySpace, the American Music Awards nominated her for Favorite Femail (yes, "femail") Artist!

Video Lunch: Ani Difranco - "Both Hands"

Well, where to begin with Ani Difranco? Personally I love that she lives in New Orleans, is outspoken, ultra-political and bisexual - but she’s got so much more under her belt at this point (just thinking about her 17 albums…).

Last month, Ani released her “career retrospective,” a 36-track double-CD called Canon. For the album, the singer re-recorded five of her previous tracks, including the featured NNN video for today; the studio footage is from her recording session for, “Both Hands.”

The righteous Ani also had a daughter, Petah Lucia, in January of this year with Mike Napoliano, her boyfriend and co-producer of her 2006 album, Reprieve.

Video Lunch: R.E.M. - "Leaving New York (Live)"

Today's NNN featured video, "Leaving New York," comes from the R.E.M. live concert in Dublin from back in 2005. The track is the lead single from the rock band's latest LP, Around the Sun, but R.E.M. performed many of their greatest hits from back in the '80s that night as well. You can check out other performances from the Dublin concert (which came out as part of the R.E.M. Live CD/DVD October 15) on LOGOonline.

R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe has said he thinks of New York as his second hometown (he's originally from Georgia) and, apparently, wrote "Leaving New York" on a place right after taking off from his favorite city, after being "overwhelmed by its beauty."

You know Michael sported his Hambuglar makeup!

Video Lunch: Jesse O - "I Think I'm Falling in Love"

Oh, those confused “straight” men...nothing but trouble. It looks like out, Bronx-raised singer Jesse O is falling for his buddy in today’s NNN featured video. The once-poker buddies have had a falling out due to Jesse’s advances, and it looks like neither of them ever have the guts to "resolve" the issue...damn!

But anyway, Jesse O has been performing for a while now: He’s opened for the likes of Sean Paul, Kelis, and Lil’ Mo. He wasn't always so devoted, though. He was actually a science-major in college and planned on pre-med – eventually quitting his day job as a lab assistant to pursue music. He came out with his self-produced album, Exposure, in 2005, which included singles, “Step to This” and “My Brotha” (about safe-sex), and his work earned him an OutMusic nom.

The featured song for today, “I Think I’m Falling in Love,” is from Jesse’s contribution to Music With a Twist’s compilation CD, Revolutions (just like Ivri Lider!).

Video Lunch: Ivri Lider - "The Man I Love"

Ivri Lider is definitely the "Israeli Idol" - apparently, he gets Rihanna-level radio airtime over there. The singer also famously came out in 2002, but, according to him, he hasn't felt any drop in popularity.

Check out the exclusive interview with NewNowNext to hear more about his coming-out story!

The featured video for today actually comes from the soundtrack of the Israeli movie, The Bubble. Ivri performs the song in a bar-scene in the movie, and he called the chance to sing it in a feature film "a long-time dream." The Bubble follows a reserve soldier in Tel Aviv who falls for a Palestinian man...the movie, as the NY Times put it, can take credit for "squeezing a lot of conflict — sexual, ethnic and intellectual — into its 117 minutes."

More on Ivri...and his future in the U.S...after the jump!

Video Lunch: The Pipettes - "Pull Shapes"

Get ready for some wholesome retro fun with this quirky girl-group based in Brighton, England. (I'd also recommend you watch our discussion of The Pipettes on NNN Noise!) "Pull Shapes" is a single from the trio's debut album (fittingly called), We Are The Pipettes - and it's not pronounced like those squirt-y things from chemistry class.

They're signed with Cherrytree Records (part of Interscope), and they were apparently doing that whole Lily Allen-sound before Lily Allen was doing it...

And these girls have got the '70s look down; it really does look like an old movie - right down to the camera they used (or made to look like they used). And I love the girls' harmonies...and that they embraced, "We don't care what the song's about," because how does one "pull shapes," anyway? Who cares?

(Oh, wait - "pull shapes" is a British term for dancing...Nevermind!)

Video Lunch: Rihanna - "Don't Stop the Music"

Video Lunch is back...and with a good one!

"Don't Stop the Music" was definitely my favorite track on Rihanna's third album, Good Girl Gone Bad, and the video does the song justice...although I think it could have used a venue-change for the last refrain. But hey - Rihanna had just filmed the "Shut Up and Drive" video the day before. Apparently, she was still in Prague, so she threw in some extensions, busted out one more video and sealed her fate as a mega-star...not that she wasn't already there, really.

I'm partial to the "ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa" part, which Rihanna sampled from the Michael Jackson song, "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'."

Video Lunch: Paul Van Dyk - "White Lies"

Grammy-nominated DJ Paul Van Dyk has done a lot to bring the techno scene to the mainstream; his music’s appeared in movies, TV, as well as Jeep and Motorola ads. He also told AP, “The thing is, techno is the biggest youth culture all over the world. It's kind of strange that there is a lack of respect toward electronic music within a majority of music journalists and even parts of the industry that say it's not real music - which is nonsense because the computer is only doing what I'm telling it to do.”

More on Paul...and the video's sexy la-day...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Alicia Keys - "No One"

I remember Alicia Keys’s Proactiv-commercial days, but it looks like she’s stepped things up in the service world. (Yeah, OK, the fight for clear skin doesn't quite compare with the fight for HIV-AIDS treatment.) She recently sat on a panel (along with Chris Rock, Shakira and Bill Clinton) at the Apollo Theater in her home-city of New York as part of Clinton’s Global Initiative summit, which addressed health and the environment concerns in the U.S.

Alicia promoted the new "Good Cents Initiative" to encourage donations from businesses for children with AIDS. (The initiative is part of the Keep a Child Alive foundation.) Alicia also performed a track, “Superwoman,” from her upcoming album at the event. Speaking of that, today’s video is the lead single from the CD, As I Am, which is due out 13.

The video’s pretty straight-forward, but it’s a great song and Alicia sounds great…I felt connected with her.

More Alicia...and her new album...after the jump!

Video Lunch: 4th Child - "Now I Found You"

4th Child, a.k.a. Lee Thomas, may still be young, but he’s seen a lot in his time. He left his small-town life in Wales for a crazy one in London, sleeping on the floor of friends’ apartments and on the occasional park bench. But the singer said he didn’t even mind sleeping in Soho Square because he was so excited to be away from home. Yeah…that is excited. (Check out a full interview here.)

The video for today comes courtesy of  4th Child’s debut mini CD. The song is great, and I’m all for the obsession theme (even though Lee is gay), but I don’t know about the hippie wig. It makes me a little uncomfortable – as does his spinning...

Lee also recently put out a track called "Lovers And Best Friends;" he released the song independently for download-only, and all the benefits go to the Gay Men’s Health Charity.

More 4th Child after the jump!

Video Lunch: Rilo Kiley - "Silver Lining"

Listening to their fourth studio album, Under the Blacklight, the L.A.-based Rilo Kiley's sound is much pop-ier, but also, as Spin mentioned, “the perspective is female: Jenny Lewis has wrenched control of the group from guitarist and ex-boyfriend Blake Sennett.”

Good for her! And that shift definitely shows up in today’s featured video and first track of the album, “Silver Lining,” about a woman outgrowing living just to improve the life of a male. The song definitely has that ‘60s-pop thing going on, with a twinge of gospel - I’m really loving it. And, as NY Times mentioned regarding “Silver Lining,” “half the pleasure comes from hearing [Jenny Lewis] float up into falsetto.”

More Rilo Kiley after the jump!

Video Lunch: Silversun Pickups - "Well ThoughtOut Twinkles"

The members of Silversun Pickups, the L.A.-based indie band (they started out in the Silver Lake music scene – home of Rilo Kiley and Elliott Smith), seem to be having the hard decisions made for them. Brian Aubert, the band’s lead singer, supposedly took the position by default, as no one else was willing to approach the mic. “[Brian] would just sing melodies because we didn't have words," bandmate Nikki Monninger has said. “I always knew he had a good voice, but he was just a little shy about singing.”

MTV also made a big choice for the SSPUs – the network picked up the band’s track, “Lazy Eye,” as the single to bring them to a larger audience. This choice actually surprised the band, but they weren’t out to argue. The video for today is from the band’s debut LP, Carnavas and features the lyrics, “Now here we are revisiting / a time a place a whole industry well we / we promise we'll be leaving soon.”

Don’t be pessimistic guys - You’re doing great! (Although, they’re probably talking about something totally different.)

More SSPUs after the jump!

Video Lunch: Minus the Bear - "Knight"

These guys and Fall Out Boy… What’s with the ridiculous titles that no one but you gets? Come on, "Hey, Wanna Throw Up? Get Me Naked" and "Lemurs, Man, Lemurs"?

Well, it looks like Seattle band Minus the Bear (made up of ex-members of bands no one’s heard of, including Botch, Kill Sadie, and Sharks Keep Moving) has moved on from such silliness, at least a little bit, with their third full-length album, Planet of Ice (yeah, that doesn’t sound as much like a joke).

For the "Knight" video, the album's first single, lead-singer Jake Snider looks like he just woke up from a stoner-haze... Which is actually way cool and kind of hot. And the rest of them pretty much just have fun with the kaleidoscope effects. And so it goes...

Brrrrr...

Video Lunch: Hard-Fi - "Suburban Knights"

The guys of Hard-Fi started out low-budge, and they like it that way. The London-suburbanites recorded their first album, Stars of CCTV, in an abandoned mini-cab office. (Hey, you can’t pay for those gritty acoustics.)

The band originally released an album in 2004 through independent label, Necessary Records, but when they later signed with big-man Atlantic, who asked them to re-record the CD, the Hard-Fi boys turned down the chance to record in high-end Abbey Road Studios, taking back their cab office space to stay legit. That’s serious faith in your sound.

The video for today, “Suburban Knights,” is from the now-established band’s second album, Once Upon a Time in the West, which came out earlier this month. The guys, remembering their time living outside London, sing “we got nothing to do…suburban dreams, just out of reach…wait ‘til you die, that’s what they teach you at school.” Hmm...they must be glad to be out of there.

More Hard-Fi after the jump!

Video Lunch: New Young Pony Club - "The Bomb"

Those "nu-raver"-ers are so crazy...New Young Pony Club may have lost the Mercury Prize this year to Klaxons, but they still have love for their fellow ravers – in every sense of the word!

The NYPC, whose debut album, Fantastic Playground, just hit the U.S. last month, told Time Out in Australia that, while traveling and performing with Klaxons on the NME tour, there was a healthy amount of gettin-it-on. Apparently they’ve “all known each for quite a while…so we got drunk and silly and everybody was getting off with each other. What did you expect?” Refreshing!

In the video for today, “The Bomb,” the band's lead singer, Tahita Bulmer, sings about relativity, Peppermint Girls and emotional equations…definitely exemplifies the group’s punkish, dance-y and very unique style.

Less gossip, more NYPC - and Tahita - after the jump!

Video Lunch: Metro Station - "Kelsey"

Is there some connection between Metro Station and American Apparel? Or do I just think that because the lead singer looks like he’s in an American Apparel ad?

Well, that’s beside the point. The featured video for today comes courtesy of Hollywood-based Metro Station and their self-titled debut album.

As all indie bands want to be, the guys of Metro are considered very “up-and-coming,” and they do have a very accessible rock-pop sound. I really like the synth-y pop elements of the lead single, “Kelsey,” as well as the teenage-longing lyrics. I kind of wish the leading man, Trace Cyrus, would stop leaning forward so much when he’s not playing his guitar…and the staged, pseudo “sex scene” in the video’s a little awkward - but all minor complaints. I expect great things.

The Metro Station album came out earlier this month, and the guys are currently on a U.S. club tour with Danger Radio, We The Kings, and Forever The Sickest Kids.

Video Lunch: Editors - "An End Has A Start"

Editors have made their way back to NNN with the second single (the title track, actually) from their second album, An End Has a Start. The English-natives recorded their sophomore CD, which came out in June, 2007, while in Ireland, and they are currently touring in the U.S.

The video for “An End Has a Start” features a crew of bleary dancers in colorful tights with tons of eye makeup displaying some strange moves…all makes for a bit of an unnerving experience, at least for me. I find Tom Smith’s vocals interesting – but, in a way, kind of intimidating. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though.

I’ve heard music writers describe Editors (the Mercury Awards nominated their debut album) as having a “dark disco” sound and, somewhat less flatteringly, as an “Interpol knock-off.” Either way, they’re getting lots of work and will more than likely be around for a while. They recently performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live and will continue their tour in the U.S. through the end of September.

Tom loves his crazy hand-motions.

Video Lunch: Jennifer Lopez - "Do It Well"

All right, J. Lo, what's the connection between your video's subject of ending child labor and your song's lyrics about a guy hitting on you at a club?

Yeah...wrong questions to be asking, and the dancing for the video for Jennifer Lopez's new single is totally fun and impressive, so who cares, right?...even if the dancing does take place in the middle of an S&M-club rescue mission. I also kind of liked those girls licking the hamster water thing-y, so I'm cool.

"Do It Well" is the first single from J.Lo's fifth studio album (in English), Brave, which comes out October 9. Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and Jermaine Dupri produced, and the release of her new CD will coincide with Jennifer's concert tour with her husband, Marc Anthony.

In other news, Jennifer may be expecting twins!

Video Lunch: Evanescence - "Good Enough"

I don’t imagine Evanescence’s Amy Lee going to a happy place when she sits down to write her music – but for today’s featured video, it looks like there’s a first time for everything! Amy said writing “Good Enough” was, “the first time I felt like I could write a song based on how good I felt. I have never done that before, ever.”

It’s because she’s in love – aw! And the song’s the fourth single off of Evanescence’s second studio album, The Open Door.

Amy and her crew filmed the “Good Enough” video in June in Hungary – and I would venture to say there’s some death-and-rebirth theme going on, eh?

More Amy and co. after the jump!

Video Lunch: Valeria ft. Aria - "Girl, I Told Ya"

Singer Valeria definitely called on the Marie Antoinette look for her new video (which she shot in Hungary); Valeria's version, however, involves sneaking behind her father's back to "hang out" with her girlfriend.

Blender bloggers called Valeria’s video, “The Return of Exploitative Lesbian Pop!” comparing her to t.A.T.u. OK, whatever - all these girls did was play video games (with real-life characters…) with giant, fake controllers.

At least they then admitted the song and the video are both totally fun; I’m a particular fan of Aria’s (from the Paradiso Girls) runway walk. She’s better than Miss Jay!

Valeria said this about her new project: “My video is fun and irreverent, with a wink. I mean, who are we without our girlfriends? ...at the very least to practice on from time to time, right?”

Practice? Oh, come on, Val.

More Valeria...including where you may recognize her from...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Cazwell - "Watch My Mouth"

Since out, white rapper Cazwell’s earlier video, “All Over Your Face,” was pretty...NSFW, I’m happy to say you can safely view his latest project, “Watch My Mouth” (even though the title makes it sound like it might be equally dirty).

And the hip-homo's video is loaded with guest spots! Of course, Amanda Lepore is there…but, if you’ll notice, Lady Fag, Dj Adam and Raquel Reed stop by as well.

More Cazwell is after the jump...not on your face.

Video Lunch: Wendy Ho - "Bitch, I Stole Your Purse"

To quote today’s NNN featured artist: “IF YOU GON' BE A HO...BE A SUPAH-HO!!!!!!”

Words to live by...and you’ve got to watch today’s hilarious video courtesy of Wendy Ho and her album, The Gospel According to Ho. The New York nightlife cannot get enough of Wendy lately, and after her contract with Manhattan’s club Therapy ended earlier this year, she’s made a smash with her one-woman show, The Wendy Ho Show.

OK, one more quote: “CUZ i have an entitlement issue larger than my ASS--and that's pretty BIG.”

More on Mz. Ho...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Sarah Bettens - "Come Over Here"

Sarah's concert audience cannot get enough of her…come-over-to-the-dark-side hit track. OK, I’m sure Sarah didn’t mean the title to be seductive - her voice is just so sultry!

Anyway, Sarah Betten’s been in the biz for a while (check out the interview with AfterEllen.com!), but recently, gay label Music With A Twist featured “Come Over Here” on its compilation CD, Revolutions…the track’s also been on The L Word, in case it sounds familiar to you!

More Sarah...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Eric Himan - "There's Gotta Be Something"

 

Eric Himan sings that he’s not into one-night stands and once said his music was the closest thing he has to a boyfriend. That’s too bad – the tattoo sleeves are kind of workin’ on him…

Well, anyway – Eric must be getting mauled by the gays by now! Today’s video is from the Pennsylvania-native’s new EP, There's Gotta Be Something. Eric’s openly gay and has done a bunch of gay events (including the Chicago Gay Games closing ceremonies for 80,000 people) - and good for him for featuring a lesbian couple in his video!

 

More Eric - and tattoo shots - after the jump!

 

Video Lunch: Bat For Lashes - "What's A Girl To Do?"

So the woman behind Bat For Lashes, Natasha Khan, cites Donnie Darko as one of her favorite movies – OK, that definitely makes sense. I can’t help but be reminded of that rabbit head and Jakey’s younger days while watching today’s Bat For Lashes video. The animal-head bike riders definitely add a nightmarish vibe to the video…but there’s a quirky touch of humor as well.

Natasha’s film inspiration didn’t stop with Donnie: "She is really into that scene in ET when they're cycling over the forest. It's really beautiful. We were sort of ripping that off," said Dougal Wilson, who directed the video.

More on Natasha and the BFL Mercury nod...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Ari Gold - "Where the Music Takes You"

Ah, now this is a Utopian vision of the future!

Today we’ve got the new video from out-singer Ari Gold’s upcoming album, Transport Systems. Along with commanding an army of dancing robots, it looks like cartoon Ari’s “transport systems” allow him to teleport hot guys to his spaceship lair and dance with him. Nothin' wrong with that.

Bronx-native Ari’s always been quite a LOGO fixture; be sure to catch his interview with NewNowNext when his new album comes out (October 2)!

More of the non-Entourage Ari we all love...after the jump!

Video Lunch: Nickelback - "Rockstar"

Yes, yes, we all hate Nickelback...and a lot of their songs sound the same, but they must be laughing at it all, as apparently there are plenty of closeted fans out there. Today’s video, the campy and cameo-loaded “Rockstar,” hit Number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and, total, the band’s sold some 25 million albums.

Well, love ‘em or hate ‘em, the video for the latest single from their fifth studio album, All the Right Reasons, is undeniably entertaining. The guys sing on longing to be rich and famous while celebrities (and boring, regular people) lip-synch the words. My personal favorite appearances are The Girls Next Door cast/Hugh Heffner’s three girlfriends, Holly, Bridget and Kendra!

More on the most-popular despised band ever…after the jump!