We're back in our prospecting caps once again and panning for gold in the great video vastness that is YouTube...

Finds of the week:

1 & 2. Björk “Earth Intruders” video & live on SNL
Our favorite Icelandic songstress (who hates to be called elfin), Björk, wowed on Saturday Night Live. Check out the clip of her performance of “Earth Intruders” (from the forthcoming Volta) below. The crayola-robed back-up singers/Greek Chorus/horn players rule! After the SNL performance, you can check out the single’s Michel Ocelot-directed video. A future-primitive iPod commercial?

“Earth Intruders” Live on SNL


“Earth Intruders” video


3. Von Sudenfed “Fledermaus Can't Get It” video
Von Sudenfed is The Fall’s Mark E. Smith backed by German electronic duo Mouse On Mars. The unlikely trio’s debut album, Tromatic Reflexxions, trumps much of The Fall’s recent material, mostly because Smith’s indecipherable ravings- and famous punctuations of “UH!” are backed by MOM’s eclectic and excitingly quirky beats. The video for the album’s first single, “Fledermaus Can’t Get It,” features several very serious ladies getting down.



4. Jamie T “Sheila (2007 Version)” video

For those Americans not familiar with British singer/songwriter Jamie T, imagine a male Lily Allen with fixations on Bob Dylan and The Clash. That’s a flip description, but it gets you somewhere on the right track. Jamie’s been making waves since last year in his homeland, but just like with Allen –the U.S. is bound to catch up. Especially now that Jamie has famous friends and fans. Yes, the singer snatched veteran thespian Bob Hoskins to star in a new video version of his 2006 single “Sheila”. Check out Eddie Valiant mime his way to a sad conclusion.




This Week’s YouTube Gold:
Top pick of the week.

5. Peaches “My Dumps” video parody

A Parody of Parody? That’d be Sleaze Queen Peaches getting all postmodern on our asses, with a gross-out parody of Alanis Morrisette’s parody of Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps” song/video. Phew! Did ya get all that? *WARNING: If you cannot handle scatological reference or images of (fake) poo, do not watch the following video. If, however, you enjoy third grade bathroom humor (like this writer) …please proceed!

Heavy synths and "soft beats" are an unlikely combo for a lot of what we consider "dance music", but Canadian electronic duo Junior Boys pull it off without a hitch. 2004's lush Last Exit was an exercise in subtlety and strong songwriting that left almost everyone that came in contact with it wanting more. Not to mention, the group lined up a host of bangin' remixes that you most likely heard if you went to any sort of "left-field" dance-related party.

The group has announced that their follow-up to Last Exit will make an appearance this September. The title? So This is Goodbye. Hopefully, it is simply a nice, new "hello" that's been two years in the making. One of the Juniors told Billboard that the new album has a slightly more minimal approach, and described the new tunes as "cold disco". To get the ball rolling, the album's first single, "In the Morning", is scheduled for a July release, and the duo hasn't wasted any time penning in some potentially stellar remix work; Mouse on Mars, Alex Smoke and Morgan Geist have all signed on to rework the tune.

So, to recap. Junior Boys new album coming in September. New single in a month. Remixes by excellent producers. "Cold Disco". Got it? Good. Want a preview? Go check out the brand new "Like a Child" on the group's Myspace page. The track is a techy downtempo workout that will get you amped to hear the rest of the new set of songs. The Juniors also plan to bring the party right to your door, with a late-2006 tour yet to be announced, but in the works.



Canada's Junior Boys