WHERE IS CLIPTIP?

Not to worry. Cliptip will be back soon, when I return from a trip to New York. More posts to come!

MOBY: Alice

Moby's career as a back studio act or deejay booth spinner is a progression of the bald headed punk techno assembler emerging into the forefront like a pallid creature from a crypt. As evident in his other works, Moby's vocals are somewhat weak and, well, dorky to say the least. But his musical impact is often most memorable when his guests provide the lyrical lead. The new record is called Last Night and is said to feature more dance oriented sounds with a pile of vocal collaborators including "the original 70's mc grandmaster caz one of the writers of rappers delight, sylvia from kudu, the uk's mc aynzli and the nigerian 419 squad." This first video is directed by Swedish nutter, Andreas Nilssson, best know for his inspired and eccentric pieces for The Knife. Watch the music video (qt).

THE PRESETS: My People

Australian electrorockers, The Presets are resetting to release their second collection on the Modular imprint. Its familiar territory for the band- blended punk, industrial and electroclash influences, with pseudo-fascist, art-star overtones so lovingly associated with German avant guarde deconstructionalists with names like Dieter, Otto or Rolf. The multiplying-man kaleidoscopic effect is courtesy of director Kris Moyes, band member sibling and cliptip experimental director to watch. Watch the music video (qt).

THE KILLS: U.R.A. Fever

The American/British sleaze rock duo The Kills have resurfaced with a third long player entitled Midnight Boom. This time the production credits are handled in part by Spank Rock beat smith, Armani XXXchange and the results are swamp black and electronica tinged. The maiden voyage from the album is this tripnotic ditty accompanied by a punk film noir backdrop as envisioned by cliptip favourite, Sophie Muller. Watch the music video (qt).

RJD2: Work It Out

I've neglected the Philadelphia producer, Ramble John "RJ" Krohn AKA RJD2. His latest work, the 100% sample-free hip hop record, The Third Hand, was out early last year and I completed avoided buying it for really 2 reasons- I don't like digipaks because I always end up with mangled or water damaged digipaks, and it was always horribly overpriced- like $24 dollars or something ridiculous. But this video and track are dope so take a peek. B-boy crutch antics directed by Joey Garfield @ Ghost Robot. Watch the music video (qt).

BJÖRK: Declare Independence

If you were a follower of this site, you obviously have seen this video already. I mean why wait for me to plug this stuff when you can easily just youtube it and have done with it, right? Well, at least you can get the podcasted cliptip. The reunion of Bjork and Michel Gondry is quite an event as they historically made such cool shit together. This video is no different. Thrashy techno shouty girl from Iceland brings another epic of microclasmic proportions. A spray-painted moebius loop of snowballing, recycled energy defines this video overshadowing the individual participating players. I hear this song originally was intended for Greenland, which Denmark apparently lays claim over. Rebellion and rock 'n roll. How Scandinavian of me. Watch the music video (qt).

HOT CHIP: Ready For The Floor

From the forthcoming third long player entitled Made In The Dark (February, folks), Hot Chip are at it again. More blippy pop electro rock with more hypercolour eye popping videos that look like they were wardrobed in the dark. The androgynous sounding lead vocalist with the equally androgynous name, Alexis Taylor, takes on the identity of The Joker, perhaps deliberately orchestrated to cash in on the eminent release of the comic book fanboy cinemagasm, The Dark Knight. Either way, the tune is pleasing enough, with all the signature Hot Chip-isms that will keep hipster brats bittorrenting 'till the RIAA comes a knockin'. Directed by Partizan's Nima Nourizadeh, although probably art directed by a criminal mastermind genius. Watch the music video (qt).

EDITORS: The Racing Rats

Wow. There sure are a lot to videos to catch up on. Including this one from Birmingham moody rockers, Editors. Their second album is a slow burn of great melodies and deliberately vague lyrics. Just like the first one. This video is, not surprisingly no different, taking inspiration from bleek sixties carbon copy suburban colonies, slow motion and spacious. Directed by Vincent Haycock at Streetgang Films, lead singer Tom Smith emotes like an underfed Orlando Bloom while an adorable blonde toddlerette poses and chalk sketches eclipes with dramatic effect to pleasing her overbearing stage-mom to tears. Watch the music video (qt).

KATE NASH: Pumpkin Soup

Ummm... So I've been missing recently. It's true. Call it a comeback. I don't want to talk to much about it. It's the cliche love-hate relationship one has with a blog. The feelings of obligation, guilt, blog burnout. So what the hell do first post on my return? Pop. Yes. Kate Nash is the pop-xerox on Lily Allen's precocious ska infected phenom. But perhaps not as cute, lippy, triple nippled nor with the Chemical Brother boyfriend, but record labels love duplicating success. And this track does indeed thump. However, it is the pick of the litter as I have nothing to say about the rest of her debut album. The video is directed by Partizan's Kinga Burza and features a Steve Urkel-inspired love interest and a bunch off surreal feline-slash-"visitors" man-sized mascots. Sure it's old. But I've been off for a spell. Happy New Year, all. Watch the music video (qt).