AMBULANCE LTD.: Primitive (The Way I Treat You)

Brooklynites Ambulance Ltd. provide one of my favourite rock tracks that I've heard in a long time. The track is cool, calculated and with a killer lyrical hook that makes me wanna emo dance all night long. And let's be clear- I don't emo dance. Their live show is pleasant as the lads seem somewhat shy and waifish. The music speaks for itself. Watch the video (qt).

KASABIAN: L.S.F.

This retro psychedelic video from the Leicester based band is not particularly timely nor fashionable. Yet the venerable Italian fashion house of Prada is on the prowl to sign the band for a lucrative modelling gig for their upcoming advertising campaign. Admittedly, Kasabian guitarist Serge Pizzorno is pretty enough to make the ladies swoon and the lads envy. In fact, he is so irresistable he's already been offered a modelling contract with agency Models 1. And he was apparently "in there" with supermodel Kate Moss before rather unattractive, heroin addict, Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty, blinded her with science. Oh, and the song is pretty good, too. Watch the video (win). UPDATED: video (qt).

COLDPLAY: Fix You

Hot off the presses is the second single from the X+Y album. Admittedly, I still do not own the record (it's copy protected and I hate copy protected cds) but none the less, the song is as stirring as the video is as moving as the live show. Enjoy. PS- I promise not to bombard you with too much Coldplay for a little while as they will likely be bombarding you from every radiostation the world over. Watch the video (real).

THE WEAKERTHANS: The Reasons

The other day I was introduced to a new categorization - the concept called "the coolser". Essentially, it's the idea of the cool loser, that kind of loner, outsider guy with the great vintage pants, killer collection of 45's and a book collection of hipster essentials marred only by a fanaticism for comic books, obsure film references and a temperment blighted by extreme, unpredictable mood swings. The Weakerthans are a little indie band from Winnipeg (yes, Winnipeg!) that has an unnatural cult following among university campus radio, which, in all probability, is largely linked to their "coolser" appeal. Lyrically, frontman John K. Samson deals with such issues as "alienation, hope, and survival within a society riddled with injustice and a culture commodified in every possible way." It all bears the air of caffeine fueled, salon-styled roundtable pretense that will get you laid only until academic probation kicks you off campus. The Benjamin Weinstein directed video possesses awesome kitch power. Watch the video (qt).

TTC: Dans Le Club

French hip hop has always had a certain exotic cache. Look at MC Solaar. He has rhymes, he has style, and he raps exclusively in French. Now look at Daft Punk. Electro squelches, thumping beats and old school synths with indie kid street cred. So when you take some French hip hop and mangle it with French electro and you get one twisted and beautiful bastard. That bastard is TTC. Watch the video (qt).

LADYTRON: Destroy Everything You Touch

In Ladytron's second single from their new distribution deal with Universal, the foursome risk being defeated by the mountain as they brave the pass of Caradhras attempting to avoid stirring the Balrogs deep within the Mines of Moria. Oh come on, this totally looks inspired by the Lord of the Rings! Directed by Adam Bartley. Watch the video (qt).

BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB: Ain't No Easy Way

The on-again, off-again San Francisco trio are official on-again. Drummer Nick Jago quits and returns. Virgin Records drops the band, later to be scooped up by Echo. Third time is the charm, with the brand new third album, Howl, just released. This honky tonk strummer is the first single from said release. Watch the video (win).

COMMON: Go

Produced and directed by Kanye West, Common is one of those rare American MC's that avoided the gangsta rap trappings and stayed true to intelligent lyrics and the genuine inspiration from his Chigaco upbringing. A slick video without even a whiff of violence is always a welcome hip hop find. Watch the video (qt).

SCHNEIDER TM: Reality Check

He may be slightly dorky, pale and a purveyor of electronic music, but do no confuse this Berlin knob twiddler with Moby. There is a new album rumoured to soon be released with the working title of "The Most Beautiful Pain In The World vs.The Caplets & The Damage Done". It will be his third and most song oriented work to date. This video, from the album, Zoomer, is absolutely brilliant. If life were so easily controlled with a remote control, we'd all have gigantic couch guts and cheeto dust on our pudgy faces. Watch the video (qt).

COLDER: Wrong Baby

Parisian designer and musician Marc Nguyen Tan unleashes a second album of hypnotic and spine chilling electronic minimalism under his Colder monicker. His first album, Again, was brilliantly sparse and synthetic. The new album, Heat, picks up the tempo and the temperature. Own this record. Watch the video (real).

SOLEX: Solex All Licketysplit

Is Elisabeth Esselink, AKA Solex, the female Beck? Well, maybe. Her cut and past brand on indie pop hip hop does have some nuances of meticulous 45's record hunting and lo-fi recording techniques. She seems to share an affection for collages and doodle art. She seems a little whacky, too, to name her latest record The Laughing Stock Of Indie Rock. Whatever the case, the Dutch based musician makes crafty tunes. This video is from her first album Solex Vs The Hitmeister. Watch the video (real).

THE BEES: Horsemen

How amazing are the Bees? I have been stung with love. These Isle of Wighters have stolen my heart with their rollicking brand of 70's rock and roll mixed with soul. This video is a low-fi capture of what I can only imagine as being one of their live performances at a mammoth UK music festival. Why did I ever move away from London town, foolish boy? Why? Now I've got the get my hands on their first album, Sunshine Hit Me. By the way, the band have been rebranded in North America as A Band Of Bees, in case you want to pick up a copy of the Astralwerks distributed CD and then return it in disgust because it's essense has been polluted by copy protection software. Watch the video (real).

ANNIE: Heartbeat

How does a sugary blonde Norwegian pop vocalist get massive street cred? Add collaborations with heavy hitters like Richard X and Royksopp, remixes by MSTRKRFT, The Rapture and Mylo, and, oh for fun, a distribution deal in the US with the indie imprint home of The Streets, The Stills, Death From Above 1979, Chromeo and Bloc Party. Yes, Scandinavian pop invades Vice Records. Pretty straight forward? This video is irresistable and I dont have to hide the CD behind the toilet when the hipster kids come over to my house. Watch the video (qt).

THE RAVEONETTES: Love In A Trashcan

I was a huge fan of the Raveonette's first EP, Whip It On. Dogme in style with all tracks clocking in at under 3 minutes and in b flat, the band exhibited a self imposed discipline that exuded not only mystery but shaolin style mastery akin to a kung fu warrior battling a gang of foes with one arm tied behind his back. Then came the sunshiney pop twist of Chain Gang Of Love, when b flat switch to b sharp and things all got a little Ronnie Spector. Now the third collection, Pretty In Black, arrives without a definite angle. Rockabilly blues? Not quite. Summery electro pop? Only in moments. There are gems on this album for sure, but the collection as a whole is without the strict thematic constraints that make the whole seem lacking of that signature sharpness and differentiation. Watch the video (qt).

THE HERBALISER: Generals

The London hip hop productionists bring it on with their fifth hip hop album, this time enlisting an army of guest MC's to Take London. The number of cameos in this track is dizzying. Everyone from Jean Grae, Trap Clappa, Cheech Marina, Daddy Mills, A.K., and Macguyver. Watch the video (qt).

STARS: Elevator Love Song

I feel like pop music. Brilliant single for Stars featuring sweet lead vocals by the lovely Amy Millan. From their Paper Bag Records album entitled Heart. Directed by Wendy Morgan. Watch the video (qt).

COLDPLAY: In My Place

I just got back from the Coldplay concert at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. Classic hits mixed with recent toppers Speed Of Sound and Fix Me Fix You all delivered with the humility of a bunch of talented lads you want to bring home to have dinner with the whole family. Not just an incredible show, Chris Martin also stated, and I quote, "and to the Arcade Fire for being the best band out there." Now really, anyone that appreciates the genius that is the Arcade Fire can't be bad, non? Here's a classic, directed by Sophie Muller. Watch the video (real).

KOUFAX: Why Do You Bother At All

Named after Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax, the Detroit quartet mix up the 70's and 80's into a modern no-wave sounding twist. They may not be from New York, but when you compare the live shows, these blokes have got far more street cred than The Bravery. Watch the video (qt).

DEEP DISH: Flashdance

Iranian American club duo Deep Dish have not had a proper artist album in roughly six years. But the Washington, DC lads have not been idle, commissioned for remix work by the likes of monster pop acts Madonna, Depeche Mode, Dido, Janet Jackson, The Rolling Stones, 'N Sync, and Justin Timberlake. Vocals to this new single are by the fresh discovery Anousheh. Watch the video (real).

CUT COPY: Future

Electro from down under? Who would have thought Australia had it so good? Granted, the Melbourne trio of Cut Copy have a solid set of grooves on them, yet I would be negligent to not give at least some credit to French producer Philipe Zdar (of Cassius and Motorbass fame). Their first video is directed by Jaron Albertin. Watch the video (qt).

OASIS: The Importance Of Being Idle

Let's set some thing straight. Considering there a zillions of Oasis fan site out there, my decision to post this video cannot be even remotely considered an attempt at search engine baiting. True, they are a terrifyingly popular band. And the track itself, is very good. It's nice to see the ole boys getting back to their original groove from the "admit it everyone owns it" debut, Definitely Maybe. But it's also nice to see the work of director Dawn Shadforth. Yet again. This woman is the record executive's go to girl for top quality music videos. Brit actor Rhys Ifans guest stars. Watch the video (real).

JAGA JAZZIST: Animal Chin

The first video Norwegian jazz'n'bass fusionists Jaga Jazzist released on the Ninjatune imprint. A great little video of animated collaged heads on animal bodies. Jittery and wonderful. Watch the video (qt).

CONTROLLER.CONTROLLER: History

Toronto post punk disco denizens controller.controller are a mixed bag of infectious studio grooves of all things currently trendy. At the first indie show I saw them perform at, I immediately wrote them off as derivative The Rapture wannabes. The inital impression stuck and was reinforced by their borrowed DFA basslines and drum machine beats nicked from !!! (chk!chk!chk!). Only through the constant badgering by friends and fans of the band have I acquiesced. Here is the video. I've resolved it is okay to have influences. Even blatant ones. Watch the video (qt).

FIERY FURNACES: Tropical Ice-Land

Brooklyn brother sister duo's first proper video. I had no idea remix was featured in the video. And it is really good! This is from album #1. Albums #3 (there are two!) are on their way. Watch the video (qt).

PEACHES: Kick It

Is there a zombie revival going on? Trash talking Torontonian and occasional Berliner Peaches plus guest punk rocking Detroit Stooges legend Iggy Pop have a go versus the dawn of the electro undead. Directed by undying lens of Dawn Shadforth. Watch the video (real).

GRANDADDY: Nature Anthem

Nutter Modesto, California band that share an affinity for plush stuffed animals akin to the Flaming Lips. The live show features lead singer Jason Lytle in a trucker hat adorned with kittens. Surreal yet infinitely catchy. Watch the video (qt).

FENIN: None Of Them

Lars Fenin's Berlin based electronica dub. Subtle, classy, throbbing single from the debut long player entitled Grounded. Eye popping video directed by Jason MacFarlane. Watch the video (qt).

FATBOY SLIM: Wonderful Night

Suave Bay Area rapper Lateef croons to Fatboy Norman Cook's culinary beats. True to form, lycanthropy ruins again what would otherwise have been a wonderful night. Watch the video (qt).

BLOC PARTY: Helicopter

Another triumphant single from the Bloc Party. Lead singer Kele Okereke's diverse influences include Talking Heads, Kate Bush, Bjork, Kraftwerk, David Bowie and Dizzee Rascal. No wonder the band defies categorization. Watch the video (qt).

CLINIC: The Magician

Mad Liverpool art rock band Clinic may have worn me out on this latest record. The sound is less progressive than second proper full length, Walking With Thee, but admittedly, once I starting giving the record a chance, they again infected me with their brand of asylum rock. Albeit, slowly. Watch the video (qt).

MILOSH: You Make Me Feel

Toronto electronic artist Mike Milosh fits well with sound contemporaries like Styrofoam, Junior Boys or even Schneider TM, but the video for his latest single smashes any possible comparisons for its sheer innovation. There are a series of city specific videos that take their cue from area weather patterns. But there is also a interactive flash video that assesses the viewers location and meteorology and generates a unique collage of imagery. Watch the video Toronto, Augsburg, Rio De Janeiro, or customized to your local weather.

THE CHALETS: Feel The Machine

Like a peppy, Irish electro pop version of Ladytron, The Chalets have this dizzying music video that makes you want to customize the band from head to toe. Having already gigged with objects of indie affections The Shins, the buzz is strong for the five piece. Feel The Machine is their third single. Watch the video (qt).