Remember this phenomenal Halloween costume from a few years ago? Eric Testroete really went all out in creating his giant paper head rendition of himself and it still looks impressive to check in on it now. If you're interested in doing something similar for yourself this weekend you can always fire up this application to create a C-level version of the original concept.

Okay, so you won't actually use this for a Halloween costume but the images it creates are hilarious. So, do yourself that favor at the very least.

If you're still in search of quality creepy music to play at your Halloween event or self-made Haunted House - look no further than Charles Park III from Makeup and Vanity Set. I'm still partial to his previous release, Never Let Go, but this is certainly a quality addition to what is, hopefully, your ever growing collection of creepy tunes.

Another week, another playlist. Again, for those of you reading this via Google Reader - go here until VHX gets whitelisted. For the rest of you, just enjoy!

• Pumpkin Sexydance - this should be saved for next weeks Halloween playlist but it's just too damn good. The best part is, obviously, the dance but the fact that there are a myriad of YouTube variations using different songs makes it an endless vortex of entertainment. Here's the original but the Daft Punk works so much better...
• LSD Fail - this guy looks like an actual zombie, amirite?
• Sneaked vs Snuck - Jennifer Garner attempts to correct Conan and he fires back.. perfectly. Yea, this is from 2009 but it's new to me so it's still amusing.
• Grandma Mushmouth - I am sure this lady is sweet as can be but that completely insane voice is too ridiculous not to enjoy. Thank goodness for the translation in the comments.
• Top 20 5 Second Films - there are a few rather work inappropriate snippets in here but they're only five seconds, so it's worth the risk. Great compilation.
• Nuclear Bomb Slow-Motion Simulation - the animation is nuts but be sure to also check out the orthographic and perspective slices.

BONUS

• It's The 90's! - never forget when it was the 90s.. this video won't let you.
• Beyonce Lets a Fan Sing - not quite the success story you're expecting.
• Karate Dog Trailer - I dare you to watch this over the weekend.

Have a great weekend!

Here is this weeks playlist, watch it on VHX! Some readers have written in and stated that Friday Videos no longer work within Google Reader once I switched to the new VHX system. This is incredibly unfortunate but, sadly, not something that can be fixed by anyone but Google - since they have to "whitelist" an iframe to work within Reader. Such is the pain of early adoption. My apologies to those of you getting this in Reader but VHX is all kinds of compliant with browsers, mobile devices, etc - so just click this link to watch the videos!

• Bill Gates Leaps Over Chair - Connie Chung, Bill Gates and an absolutely ridiculous physical challenge. Phenomenal.
• Car Jump Rope - yep, it's a car jumping rope. Nope, I can't believe it either.
• Patrick Swayze PBR Commercial (1979) - the last thing you likely equate with PBR is Patrick Swayze and Disco Dancing - until now! You can put the video on repeat and have the best day of your life.
• Tiny Legs of Fire - a compilation of random videos from Doug Bayne - featuring, among many great things, BeardSlap. Some of it is a bit gruesome and/or work inappropriate but that's more of a quality seal of approval in my mind than anything else.
• Big Cat Halloween - what happens when you give large jungle cats a bunch of pumpkins to play with? They behave exactly as you'd expect a housecat to act - they have a blast. Maybe you've seen this one (Since it's from 2010 and has almost 2 million views) but it's still a playful romp.
• The Adventures of TinTin - an unofficial opening title sequence for the forthcoming movie. I know nothing about the film, the books or the world of TinTin but this an incredible piece of motion graphics work.
• RBMA World Tour 2011 - a myriad of musical styles provide the soundtrack to this immersive animation. The stop motion stuff is my favorite but I fully appreciate all the other styles worked together. Be sure to check out the Behind the Scenes stuff as well - "impressive" just doesn't seem to properly sum it up.
• Brad Pitt Ping-Pong - I watched the entirety of this 3:17 video more than once. It's incredibly ridiculous and only made more perfect with its lighthearted soundtrack.

BONUS

• Cat vs Hair Dryer - you may feel a bit saddened to learn that the cat is blind but I'd still take the bet that you'll easily laugh aloud seeing the cat attack the warm air.
• Stella Artois 9 Step - you'd think a four and a half minute video describing the proper steps to pour a glass of Stella Artois wouldn't be that entertaining but here's proof that it can be done.

Have a great weekend!

It's October so, for me, it marks the time for another installment of my Halloween mix. After seven years of making these it becomes increasingly difficult to compile a quality batch of songs actually about Halloween so I've gone with a more atmospheric vibe, sort of like last year. But I digress...

I present Endless Hell, the Halloween 2011 mix intended to created a crazed, spooky, gloomy vibe. I highly recommend the Single MP3 or M4A mix as there is some actual blending going on that I think benefits the whole immersive vibe.

[ Single MP3 | Single M4A | Individual MP3 ZIP ]

1. Mick Smiley - Magic
2. Big Black Delta - The Zebrah
3. Autolux - Kissproof (Remix By Bobby Evans)
4. Thee Oh Sees - Corrupted Coffin
5. Fantomas - Untitled
6. Nahnee Bori - Nightfreight to the Stars
7. Steven Price - Throat Ripper
8. Skrillex - Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites (Noisia Remix)
9. Tobacco - Creepy Phone Calls
10. Mister Heavenly - Doom Wop
11. Instruments of Science and Technology - Ghost of Hip Hop (New Apostles Mix)
12. Hands Off Cuba - Remus
13. Nine Inch Nails - 8 Ghosts I
14. Colourmusic - Beard
15. The Dead Weather - Old Mary
16. sugar skulls - a horse, dead
17. Dark Night of the Soul - Dark Night of the Soul
18. M83 - Slight Night Shiver

This photoset of Scared Bros at a Haunted House is phenomenal. Presumably the room is actually quite dark and scary with just a momentary flash to capture these people in their horrified states. It's perfectly ridiculous. See loads more here.

I'm still putting the finishing touches on my annual Halloween mix but, in the meantime, if you're hankering for a compilation of properly dark tuned musical undertakings go snag this Brian Gossett gathering Bend Toward Dark Light. Great artwork, great music.

Brent Jackson started a nice Dribble Shot challenging folks to rework their avatars into a more Halloween style flavor. The responses are great - particularly those from Andy Helms, Nick Slater, Kalin Wood and Stephen Meszaros (among others). It's a worthy challenge...

It's October, so Halloween is about to sneak up on you before you know it. To properly prepare yourself, your home and/or your working environment why not procure these Dia De Los Modernist prints? I'm partial to the Paul Rand and Le Corbusier variations because Skulls With Glasses always get me.

No April Fools style pranks in this one.. just a straightforward, typical, compilation of bizarre videos.

• Skittles Touch: Cat - you've likely seen this already this week but it's rather clever and worthy of sharing. So, if you've seen it, see it again. If not, enjoy.
• Hercules vs Bear - Lou Ferrigno as Hercules launches a bear into space. Need I say more? via Sean.
• Help! I've glued a tiny hat to my head - clip from a BBC show that tells the story of a Halloween costume that won't stop. Pretty silly but amusing. via Paul.
• Julian Assange Nightclub Dancing - do I believe this is actually Julian Assange? It's questionable. Do I choose to embrace the notion for the sake of humor? You better believe it. via Davis.
• Game Deaths - compilation of video game deaths from vintage systems. Not as engaging as I'd like it to be but a nice trip down memory lane.
• Controlled Bark Volume - the fourth bark is gold. Feel good dog video to start your weekend.

BONUS

• Woodkid - Iron - incredibly epic video that I couldn't even begin to explain but I am smitten with the dramatics of it. They went for it and they nailed it.
• FAIL compilation March 2011 - I realize my adoration for these is basically the dregs of Internet humor but I can't stop myself.

Have a great weekend!

I feel like it's been some time since I put together a mix that was just comprised of music that's been treating my ears lately. December was all about summarizing 2010, I missed the mark for a November mix and October was the Halloween mix. So, yea, it's been a minute. So, without further ado, go snag Begin Again, my January 2011 mix. It's probably the most varied mix of offerings I've put together in terms of timespan covered - 1945 to 2011.. not too shabby!

Enough jibber jabber, just get to downloading in your preferred format!

[ Single MP3 | Single M4A | Individual MP3 ZIP ]

1. Jamaica - Cross the Fader
2. Signalkorps - Shut Down the Interstate
3. Ty Segall - Imaginary Person
4. Mellowdrone - Elephant
5. Mogwai - San Pedro
6. Mini Mansions - Crime Of The Season
7. Yellow Ostrich - Libraries
8. Generationals - Say for Certain
9. Hands Down Eugene - February Morning
10. Brian Eno - I'll Come Running
11. Spur - Mr. Creep
12. Nick Drake - At The Chime Of A City Clock
13. Gale Garnett - We'll Sing in the Sunshine
14. The Octopus Project - Catalog
15. Yall - Germs
16. Para One - Les Allees

The blog of Brian Gossett is entirely focused on sharing curated mixes from a number of his talented friends. The results are incredibly good. One might even call it the Holy Grail of mix destinations. Mixes for Sweater Weather, Garage Rock Aficionados, Halloween fans or maybe specific cities. It's all there. It's a whole lot to take in but it's worth the time.

A pretty decent playlist this week I believe.. please enjoy.

• Ukranian 60's Pop - it's 7:30 long but it's enjoyable from start to finish. The perfect soundtrack for any day.
• Coffee Dream - I start dying laughing every time this video fires up. The craziest part about it is that there are a ton of shots.. this obviously took a whole lot of work.
• Cat Hiccup Fart - Is this likely an overdubbed sound? Probably. Do I care? Absolutely not.
• Kitten Surprise - sometimes the best place to look for a heartwarming surprise is under a pile of kittens.
• Inception (Animal Edition) - I keep telling myself I shouldn't enjoy this but I can't help it.. I was highly entertained.
• Naked Grandma - you know those clip shows of outrageous old game shows where people say outlandish things? And you wonder - why don't people do that anymore? Well, they do. This one will be repeated on America's Funniest Game Show Moments Volume 48 for years to come.
• Book Fore-edge Painting - not funny or weird - just impressive and unexpected.
• Hot Chip - "Didn't Know What Love Was" - with Bernard Sumner and Hot City... and sponsored by Converse. It's kind of a bummer that the corporate tie-in is involved here (everyone is wearing their sneakers in the video) but it is a good video regardless. So, does it matter? Is that what they're going for?

Bonus

• Halloween Costume Fight in Denny's - this is legitimately terrifying.
• Top 15 Craziest Christian Music Videos - get a load of this guy or this twerp.
• Serious Injury is Fun - I never tire of watching people bail and likely hurt themselves a whole whole lot.

Have a great weekend!

It's going to be a sad day when the 'Everything' series has run its course. Let's hope that day never comes. Please watch.

Oh, and please note that this episode is a bit more creepy / Halloween-esque than usual.. so be prepared.

In keeping with yearly tradition, here's your 2010 Halloween Playlist...

• Magic: 1978 Trailer - ventriloquist dummies can be terrifying. I consider this the precursor to Chucky. Oh, and be sure to note it's starring Anthony Hopkins.. ridiculous.
• Puppies Make Spooky Halloween Sounds - seriously, if you tab to another window and just listen to this, it's the perfect spooky sound.
• Willem Dafoe's Face - it's Halloween, you need some nightmare fodder. Absolutely disgusting.
• Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen Halloween Song - children in facepaint can be unpleasant, as noted here. It's surprising that this hasn't received the Gimme Pizza treatment yet.
• Elvira Bloopers - Cassandra Peterson has a few issues during filming. I highly suggest searching out more Elvira videos.. she's just the right balance of amusing and too cheesy for her own good. It's bad but it's bad good.
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put A Spell On You - the makeup, the clothes, the complete nonsense screaming, the music.. he's basically the James Brown of Voodoo. The smoking skull cane is a nice touch.
• Tarantual Ghoul and Her Gravediggers - it's hard to go wrong with animated dancing skeletons and novelty Halloween songs are almost always entertaining a few times through.
• Mickey Mouse: Haunted House - classic 1929 animation. Take 7 minutes out of your day and enjoy.

BONUS

• The Mirror - this SNL digital short still gets me.. especially the very end.
• This Is Halloween - Simpsons Style - not a bad mashup of The Nightmare Before Christmas and Simpsons clips.

That's all I got! Consider revisiting some old Roseanne Halloween episodes or some Treehouse of Horror from The Simpsons if you need some fodder to help you get in the mood. Have a great weekend!

As Halloween is right around the bend, please allow me to remind you.. one more time.. about the following tidbits of music you need to snag for proper enjoyment of your weekend.

• Shaboi - Curse Walk - ten tracks of Halloween goodness. Seriously, there's something here for you - I promise. The album covers such a wide range of styles there's no way you won't find something enjoyable. I refuse to believe there are people out there that don't enjoy Rapsylvania `88 or Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hideous.
• My Descent Into Madness - my annual Halloween mix is ready for your enjoyment. It's a good listen to help keep you in the holiday mood.. so get it.

Some music to start off your week:

• As seen on The Village Voice and Flavorpill (thanks Kate!), Jeremy Davis has posted a new mix for your downloading enjoyment. The Ladies is a seventeen track compilation of female driven bands loosely themed around the spooky Halloween season. Not all the tracks are "creepy" but, as a whole unit, it works quite well.
• Paige, she of Flux-Rad, has also posted a new mix. Sometimes It Kills is a compilation of recently enjoyed tunes from the Maguire playlist. Somehow Paige has always had the knack for compiling music that consisted of 99% artists I've never heard of. So, a mix of recent favorites for her is usually a mix of brand new discoveries for myself. By all means, partake.

Before you dive right into the video playlist be sure you snagged the Halloween mix for this year.. it will increase the enjoyability of your weekend. Oh, and watch those Bonus videos - they are all Great, just not embeddable in a YouTube playlist.

• Gordon Keith Interviews Zach Galifianakis - This is great because Zach is obviously stunned by getting his own interview treatment but a question or two in, he gets it and starts rolling with it. So good.
• Cute Puppy - yea, that's right. 50 seconds of an adorable puppy making incredible sounds.. likely having a nightmare.
• Fail Cancel - what happens when you are salmoning up the street and run into a guy not using a crosswalk? Nothing.. the mistakes cancel each other out.
• Parkour Dog - the Parkour craze was fairly short lived but now it has made its way to the Animal Kingdom.. and I, for one, approve. This dog better get so many treats.
• Bits in Pieces - a short film about computers made entirely without computers. Be sure to check the Making Of. Via Paige.
• Star Wars vs Star Trek - typically I try to avoid posting such obvious nerd fodder but this is too well done to avoid. Particularly all the edits to the Star Trek footage.. pretty much spot on.
• The Rent Is Too Damn High - Jimmy McMillan is no stranger to crazed politics but in this recent New York Governor's Debate he really shined.. everything about him: his look, his cadence, his message, his humor - spot on amusing and not entirely disagreeable. Some have compared him to Tennessee's own Basil Marceaux but I think there's a level of comprehension happening with Mr. McMillan that ole Basil never quite grasped.

BONUS

• Oops - short film winner of the Vimeo Awards "Experimental Film" category. The transitions between clips are absolutely perfect. Please watch.
• Salesman Pete - absolutely engaging / perfect animation. Love it.
• FOPS - Yellow Jacket Corpse - Jeremy tipped me off to the fact that even tho Thee More Shallows is no longer a band, there's a new project called FOPS started by Dee Kesler.. good stuff.

Have a great weekend everyone. Halloween fast approaches.. make sure you got your costume and party plans all set before it's too late.

This is the sixth iteration of the Halloween mix. That being said, I'm taking a slightly different route this time around. Instead of a straight forward mix designed to be played at a party this is intended to convey, as the title states, a descent into madness. Things start off light and normal and get progressively more abrasive and terrifying.

That's probably a little heavy handed for a compilation of songs just meant to evoke a spooky vibe but that's what I'm going with. I think you'll enjoy it.. even if it does get a little nuts near the end.

[ Download ZIP | Single MP3 Mix | Details ]

1. Eban Schletter - Ghoul Bash (Feat Dave (Gruber) Allen)
2. Shaboi - Curse Rock
3. Random Creature Generator - It's Halloween
4. Eban Schletter - Dance Of The Skeletons
5. Slowmotions - Ghoulchase
6. Jookabox - Zombie Tear Drops
7. Les Savy Fav - Poltergeist
8. Future of the Left - Team:Seed
9. Tape Deck Mountain - Dead Doctors Don't Lie
10. The Marshmallow Ghosts - Shrieks
11. Big Black Delta - The Zebrah
12. Deerhunter - Ghost outfit
13. Fops - Ghost Town Hall
14. A Country Gentleman - Instrumental Everything
15. Holy Fuck - SHT MTN
16. HEALTH - Eat Flesh
17. Wavves - Killr Punx, Scary Demons
18. The Non-Commissioned Officers - The Telling
19. Here We Go Magic - Vegetable Or Native

It will be difficult to follow up last week but there's some goodness in here I do believe.

• Sammy Davis Jr - Suntory White - this is the excellence that happens when you let Sammy Davis Jr just do his own thing while filming a whisky commercial. There are more of them that I also recommend watching.
• Move Your Body Boogie - sure, Jazzercise videos are easy targets for humor but if you jump around to the 2:00 mark you will be dazed by the oddity of sounds coming from the ringleader.
• Rake the Cat - i watched the entirety of this and was delightfully entertained throughout the duration.
• Super Meat Boy 90's Commercial - this commercial is for a brand new XBox game.. just done in that terrible video game style we all grew up with. The voiceover is among the most perfect I've heard.
• Halloween Grocery Store Lady - creepy creepy creepy way to sell Snickers.
• Michael J Fox Spike Awards - recreating the original teaser trailer in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Back to the Future. And, in case you missed it, footage of Eric Stotlz as Marty McFly has also been making the rounds.

BONUS

• Duck Sauce - Barbara Streisand - good song, good video, loads of cameos.
• Holy F*ck - "Red Lights" - official video for one of the better tracks off the new album.. featuring lots of cats, playing musical instruments. Ridiculous.

Have a great weekend. Go out there and get something done!