DIZZEE RASCAL: Sirens

UK grime artist Dizzee Rascal returns with a third collection, leading off this with single filled with killer rhymes, a cymbal heavy rock beat and pulverizing guitar riff. Directed by W.I.Z., the video is a surreal and brillaint juxtaposition between fox hunt and man hunt, with a newly buff Dizzee being pursued by a bunch of red petticoat attired, siren calling, wearing-blood fetishists. Notice they're all white, too. Silly whiteys, leave that racscally Dizzee alone! Watch the music video (qt).

THE RAPTURE: Pieces Of The People We Love

Okay. phew! I'm finally settled in my new pad in Montreal. And while I have neglected this site for roughly a month, and have suffered a terrible drop in traffic, I am back to fight for the shit we love. Considering I have a shitload of videos backlogged to get up, I better get cracking! The first out of hte block is The Rapture's gorgeous video for Pieces Of The People We Love. Shot in stunning black in white with a nugde-nudge-wink-wink to the jazz crooner days of Frank, Sammy, Dean and the rest of the rat pack. Sure it's loaded with sharp suits, skinny ties, cigars and scotch, but does make it less cool when Luke Jenner slinks out in a silver sequinned cat suit or when the hipsters line up in anoraks and hoodies? Directed by Ben Dickinson and Jon Watts @ Waverly Films. Watch the music video (qt).

WHERE THE EFF IS CLIPTIP?????!!!?!?

I know I know I know I know! I've been sooooo delinquent on this site. But it have had a whirlwind of business travel that has sucked up my time. From relocating to Montreal, business trips to Vancouver, Lisbon and Istanbul, there has been very little time and I do apologize. I hope to at least sporatically keep this up to date, but until I move into my new place and get a hi speed connection, please bear with me. XOXO earnest.

THE HIDDEN CAMERAS: Death Of A Tune

Has you seen Dream Girls yet? It's a rather telling story of music that rose up from a subculture and was subsequently watered down (i.e. sanitised) to ensure mainstream acceptability. This is sort of what I feel about the latest incarnation of the Hidden Cameras. The initial joy has sort of wanned on the Joel Gibb lead Toronto ensemble. The provocative gay sexuality themed odes to uninhibited dancing has been replace with a moderated aim at pop success. Add to that the usual suspects of the troop that loyal followers of the band have been largely replaced (i.e. defected). While the single is still tuneful and the Louis-Philippe Eno directed animated video a twee treat to behold, somehow something has been extracted without something invigorating re-injected. Watch the music video (qt).

LILY ALLEN: Alfie

Cliptip's favourite mouthy anti-pop pop star has a new single and video as she launches states-side. Director Sarah Chatfield channels Jim Henson as she introduces Lily to Alfie, the pot smoking, masturbating slacker little brother puppet. Also, I have learned that Lily Allen is an accused Mockney, one who presents themselves as Cockney (working class East Londoners) in order to gain popular credibility. Watch the music video (qt).

TV ON THE RADIO: Province

Cliptip is officially back on the posting spree! The place where I am holed up in Montreal has a dreadfully slow internet connection so I'm going to have to post in bursts for the time being, likely fishing wi-fi from various local cafes such as Laika. So I'm a little behind on what's current so apologies if these are not entirely fresh. First out of the gates is TV On The Radio's second video release off the shockingly good Return To Cookie Mountain lp. The video is a video portraiture directed by Jeff Scheven currently signed with Soft Citizen and former of the Toronto post-punk band controller.controller. The single itself has the slow soulful earth moving shuffle made even more mournful with the soaring vocals of lead singer Tunde Adebimpe and the guesting backup vocals of David Bowie. Watch the music video (qt).

WHERE IS CLIPTIP?

Cliptip has landed in Montreal! As soon as a respectable wi-fi connection is set up, video postings to resume!

CLIPTIP presents: DUELING DEEJAYS #002

Well, the last time these two douchebags Deejay Dueled, it packed the joint. And, although neither deejay is saying who actually won the battle, in my opinion, Calvin kicked some serious ass. So it's an encore performance of these two as they suit up their record collections and pack it in to the Press Club again. Its going to be another night of hipster tunes for Toronto cats.

THE PRESS CLUB
850 Dundas St. W. (at Euclid Ave.) Toronto 416-364-7183

GUSGUS: Moss

Iceland is going to have a massive 2007 as both eccentric collective Gusgus and Bjork have new records due out shortly. This is the latest and greatest from the forcoming Gusgus records entitled Forever. From the website: "The video is a collaboration btw the designer of "Forever" and all Pineapplerecords projects, Miss Linda Lotion (a.k.a. The First Lady) and GusGus. It is a story about love. And the importance of giving your neighbor the love he deserves!" Opening images to the video are from Gabriela Fridriksdottir, the artist responsible for the album art of Bjork's recent greatest hits collection. Sweet sweets vocal duties by Daniel Agust. Watch the music video (qt).

WHERE IS CLIPTIP?

WTF? Where has cliptip been? Well, after some very heavy heavy consideration, cliptip is moving from its home in bustling Toronto to Montreal! Yes, the past few days of blog absense have been spent with heavy heavy decision making and cliptip will be relocating to Canada's second largest city in the Francophone quarter of Canada. Does this mean more Montreal coverage? Perhaps. Does the mean occasional posts in French? No. Maybe. Well see how quickly I can learn French back. Does this mean more frequent posts? Possibly. But possibly not also. Again, cliptip does not earn a sole income from this video blog, as has gots to take care of business. But do know, on this very day that I announce cliptip's relocation, we have officially stopped futureblogging! Yes indeed! No more posts dated months into the future! Horray! I've got to go pack now...

TRACEY THORN: It's All True

It's been a very long time since we've heard from the Everything But The Girl duo of Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt. While Tracey's been guesting for the likes of Massive Attack and Tiefschwarz, Ben's been keeping busy with his Lazy Dog DJ gigs. Finally some original work is released and it is from Tracey's forthcoming solo album. Directed by Si and Ad, the video combines choreography with monochromatic cookie cutter office drones. Tracey appears in the video but buried within all the sameness like a where is Waldo puzzle, which apparently is to her low-profile loving liking. Watch the music video (qt).

KLAXONS: Golden Skans

Psychedelic pop or new rave? London's Klaxons' second music video lifted off their recently released debut, Myths Of The Near Future, will perhaps tip your assessment to the indie rock camp. However, if you are a model stalking Fashion Week celebutard, you probably would have heard a dozen repetitions of various Klaxon remixes dominating both catwalk and fashion pack after-party while drinking rosé with P. Diddy and Stam. Meanwhile, for the rest of us normal body-fat indexed people, we have this video to enjoy, directed by SAAM and featuring costumes that could have easily come off some avant garde London runway. Klaxons apparently giving Fischerspooner a run for their money. Cheers to Pioner for the tip. Watch the music video (qt).

LCD SOUNDSYSTEM: North American Scum

It is a rare occasion indeed when I post a flash based video. The quality of the video is often poor, but in this case, I could not resist. One of my favourite bands, the LCD Soundsystem, is about to set loose a brand new sophomore cd, The Sound Of Silver, onto an unsuspecting global underground. Well, probably not too unsuspecting, as there is a pronounced cult-like following to James Murphy and co. The track laments the band's oft confused origins. How can some American band sound so good? Well, they are that bloody good for me to post a flash based MySpace video. That good. This track's chorus has gorgeous glam rock howls that makes me wanna bolan boogie. Witness the foil coated Warholian factory meets Space Odyssey 2001 lunar landing music video. Cheers to Danyon for the tip. Anyone find it on quicktime, let me know and I'll link that baby up. Directed by Ben Dickinson. Watch the music video (ms). Update: Whoo hoo! Watch the music video (qt).

THE HORRORS: Gloves

When the debut video for a relatively new band is directed by Chris Cunningham, you know there's some major support being thrown their way. And with a dazzling psycho-delic punk ep under their belt, the critics were both impressed and dismissive. UK Popworld presenter Alexa Chung most notoriously calling the band "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow" linked to the pronounced and perhaps overwhelmingly distinct image of the band. Their second video, directed by Patizan's Daniel Wolfe, continues in the tradition of their orchestrated style of high drama eyeliner gothica mashed with agitated punk drums, howling lyrics and distorted guitars. The debut album, Strange House, is out March 2007. Watch the music video (qt).

M.I.A.: Bird Flu

In most cases, pity any video posted following one of the most innovative voices in contemporary music, Bjork. But in this case, I've brought in a ringer. UK based fusion grime artist M.I.A. made critically applauded waves last year with a debut that rocked the underground while defying categorization. Now her sophomore release is imminent and it promised to continue with more confrontational drums and lyrics. This is the first video for the single "Bird Flu." Why call it "Bird Flu?" Because, according to M.I.A. herself, "...this beat is gon kill everyone." Watch the music video (qt).

BJÖRK: Hidden Place

I don't know about you, but over here at cliptip headquarters, we've been going a little bonkers in anticipation of the new album from Iceland's Bjork. With a slew of collaborators cued up including Mercury Prize triller Antony Hegarty (of Antony and the Johnsons), Brian Chippendale of the Lightning Bolt, Congo's Konono No. 1, and hip hop producer Timbaland, as well as familar faces such as poet Sjon and producer Mark Bell, it promises to be quite an occasion. The preamble to the release has been discrete to say the least, but the festival dates are indeed piling up, including Southern California's Coachella, Denmark's Rokslide Festival and England's perenial Glastonbury. The video is lifted from the Vespertine album and features the art project aesthetics of the brilliant fashion visionnairies, Inez+Vinoodh and M/M Paris. Watch the music video (qt).

POP LEVI: Sugar Assault Me Now

Skinny jean. Check. Skinny suspenders. Check. Glam rock sound. Check. Ninjatune recording artist. Whatzat? Yes, this minstrel of glam rock electro pop fusion is Pop Levi of Ninjatune. His first solo video we showcased here caused quite a stir. And now, another, more striped down video but equally glam-rocking. The debut solo album, The Return To Form Black Magick Party, is slated to infiltrate hipsterdom in 2007. Embrace it! Watch the music video (qt).

BLOC PARTY: The Prayer

We at cliptip are salivating at the veritable avalanche of awesome music anticipated for 2007. For the next couple of days, I'll be posting videos of artists who are cueing up the promotional machinery to launch new albums this year. Amongst those anticipated is the incomparable Bloc Party with the sophomore album, A Weekend In The City. This is the first video and it is bloody electric. The percussion is particularly rocking, calling to mind an urgent Queen, while the video imagery is absolutely hallucinogenic. I love it. And it's fresh off the presses just for you. Watch the music video (qt - stream).

LILY ALLEN CONTEST WINNER!

Congratulations to our LILY ALLEN CONTEST winner, Jennifer S. from glorious Plymouth, USA! Not only did she solve the riddle, she also successfully included her mailing address! Horray! And, yes, it was in the film Shallow Grave, that British actor, comedian, and all around music guy Kieth Allen showed us his junk. Lily's album is released Stateside as of today so get your butts to the record store and pick it up! It's on repeat on cliptip's playlist. Props to all who entered, particularly all those sharp witty responses that had me rolling on the floor. Considering the great participation, I'll look to build more fun contest stuff in the future. Cheers!

ISLANDS: Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby

Montreal old ballers, Islands, piece together a odd folk song of love and oddness. Sure there are occasional curse words interspersed between doot doots, but it's really a happy number with a happy colourful video. Those multicoloured cartoony blobs of animated goodness are courtesy of Ben Jones (of Paperrad / Wyld File notoriety). And yes, J'aime Tambeur, one the original Islands / ex-The Unicorns members has left the band. And the band plays on. Watch the music video (qt).

JARVIS: Don't Let Him Waste Your Time

Ahhh, the London black cab. It's an institution to London living to which no other city really compares. New York taxis? Sure they are celebrity voice reminders to collect your valuables, but there are also the odd smells. But in this video for the former Pulp frontman, Jarvis plays the all singing black cab driver with a cautionary tale of love lessons yet apparently little in the driving lesson arena. Thankfully he has abandoned that whole skeleton faced phased that saw him dabbling in electroclash with as much ease as a suburban mother of four dabbling in skinny jeans and asymmetrical bangs. Directed by Dougal Wilson @ Colonel Blimp. Watch the music video (qt).

LILY ALLEN CONTEST!

Do you LOVE Lily Allen? Shamelessly, we hear at cliptip headquarters do. In fact we love Lily so much, we panhandled Lily's people for giveaways so we could share them with you. So, one lucky cliptip viewer with sharp researching abilities and sharper emailing reflexes has a chance to win this fantastical Lily Allen prize pack.

1 LILY ALLEN: Allright, Still album [CD]
1 LILY ALLEN t-shirt [girly fit for a girl or a girlfriend]
1 LILY ALLEN poster
an assortment of sticker and buttons

If I didn't already own the album, I'd probably horde the prize pack for myself. But if you think I'm giving this treasure away for free, your mad as a hatter. I'm gonna make you work. Here's the skill testing question:

>>>Who the hell is Lily Allen's father, why should you know who he is and where have you seen his junk?

Send your answers (with your name and mailing address) to cliptip(at)gmail(dot)com.

Winner to be announce January 30th!

THE ALPHA MALE: Viagra Junkie

In response to the recent lay-offs of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, cliptip would like to present Viagra Junkie, by The Alpha Male. It sucks that people get laid off, but I hear those pharmaceutical packages are rumoured to be fairly comfortable. I'm sure the title of this music video is some kind of trademark violation, but all publicity is good publicity. And considering the size of the pixelated animated dong on the video's protagonist, I can't help but think this is probably a good PR spin on the product's enhancing benefit. The video is directed by Frank G. Sorry for the prolonged absense. Hopefully, after this video, I will have more staying power. Watch the music video (qt).

CLIPTIP presents: DUELING DEEJAYS #001

Live in Toronto? Wanna see a couple of the finest local douchebag deejays battle over who has more the populist hipster record collection? Well the first edition of Dueling Deejays is coming to The Press Club. And you're invited. No cover either. The first series entitled First Blood features bicycle peddling French Canadian Jehan and that asian dude with the funky glasses Calvin. Let em know cliptip sent ya.

THE PRESS CLUB
850 Dundas St. W. (at Euclid Ave.) Toronto 416-364-7183

THE SHINS: Phantom Limb

Sub Pop's indie darlings The Shins delight with a brand new and brilliant single from the new album Wincing The Night Away. Borrowing a theatrical page from Wes Anderson's Rushmore and mixing child leader metaphors and Joan of Arc references, the video captures front man James Russell Mercer voice in his joyous swirling glory. Directed by Patrick Daughters. Watch the music video (qt).

THE SOUNDS: Tony The Beat

Sneaky peak of the new video from Sweden's new waver rockers The Sounds. Having recently featured on the Snakes On A Plane novelty act Cobra Starship, lead singer Maja Ivarsson struts her blondie-esque swagger into the hipster dens of East and West Coast America. Having featured New York's sullen party style mavens The Misshapes, this time video director Ace Norton enlists celebrity deejay / label head Steve Aoki AKA DJ Kid Millionaire for a guest spot on this rather catchy electro bopper. There's apparently a less safe for consumption version of this video with loads of lovely nudity, but I have not yet found it. Enjoy the refreshing douchiness of youth gone wild in a sadly non-podcast friendly format. Watch the music video (win).

AMY MILLAN: Skinny Boy

Amy Millan returns to the dream pop territory she staked out with of her other band, the Toronto/New York/Montreal based Stars or her other other band, the Toronto collective Broken Social Scene. Her wonderful warm vocals tickle your ears while you bob your head to the mid tempo pulse of the blues tinged rhythm track. If her first single didn't sell you on the album, this one's a cincher. George Vale directs the doe-eyed singer in nostalgic black and white. Watch the music video (qt).

O.LAMM: Aerialist

Do you know O.Lamm? He's a crazy beat technician? Need more? "O.Lamm is odot.lamm, is o.l.lamm, is opoint l., is slow learner, is odot sings. Electronic musician. He likes weird noise, upbeat wizardry, spiraling crawling hooks and pompous melodies. Generates sounds from nothing as much as he kneads natural sounds through the technological prism, his prime purpose simply being to put his idealised vision of pop music into concrete form. In a few words, Olivier uses softwares, love, and snow and blends them to make music." This music video is awesome, from the electronic wizardry to the Mumbleboy drawn visuals. Enjoy this slice from his album entitled " Monolith." Watch the music video (qt).