WHY does this exist!? It's an unanswerable question. Or, maybe, the answer is "we need more trash" but, regardless, it's a complete mystery.
As the year winds down, I am really feeling the need for renovation around these parts. I have plenty of thoughts about "blogs" in general and their place in the world but, regardless of that pondering, this place needs a change. If all goes well over the break, that will happen.
If you're reading this, thank you. I dunno why you come here but I have to assume at this point we know one another and I appreciate the support. I promise to keep the site entertaining, just in a new form.
With that out of the way, let's get into some distractions. Likely the last of the year.
A Complete History of Music - it started as a tweet thread, now it's a YouTube. You gotta stick with it for the enjoyment to really land.
TENET Trailer - the new Christopher Nolan movie looks... interesting. I'm definitely on board, whatever it is.
Baby Yoda loves Sandstorm - the likelihood of this getting pulled down is high but it's worth an attempted watch. Stupid.
I'm in NY this week for meetings and holiday parties and friend catchups so,very little blogging and no Friday videos. However, I hate to leave ya hanging so here's a single little treat for you to enjoy - Harry Hosono and The Yellow Magic Band with "Tokio Rush." Hosono and YMB is the precursor to Yellow Magic Orchestra and it's a fascinating track - where else you gonna hear such a fun little horn used so effectively.
I've had that GIF sitting on my desktop for weeks. It brings me joy every time I open it.
Can't believe 2019 is in the final stretch already. Ready to wrap up the year, do some reflections, break on work for a bit and then dive headlong into 2020.
Beck "Uneventful Days" - Kimmel - really unique performance from Beck on the Kimmel show. Love it when they do special performances like this.
Corned Beef Hash Comparison - "Featureman" has a giant repository of videos featuring himself cooking and reviewing the meals he creates. There's something absolutely delightful about this older gentleman completely understanding the YouTube format. Love this guy.
Hey, it's Black Friday! Please don't let anyone in your zone go out and literally trample someone to death trying to get a deal. That sounds ridiculous but it happens.
I'm having my own holiday sale over at yk Records, so please do me a favor and pick something up. Details here, thank you very much.
On to some distraction!
SNL Party Song - in case you missed it, a great digital short with Will Ferrell. There's also a Cut For Time sketch that is a tribute to 90-Day Fiance, my favorite trash TV.
Cats React to Cat Face Filters - I am positive there is plenty of manipulation going on here for these reactions but I don't care.. it works.
Do Tortoises Like Being Touched? - not a question I thought I needed answered but I think I'm spellbound whenever I see these beasts. Nothing crazy here, just a straightforward answer.
Supermarket Sweep Fail - I have been watching an absurd amount of Supermarket Sweep lately so I find great pleasure in seeing this dumb dumb go for the bonus prize and fail miserably.
Last week, I thought this Chris Gaines receeding into the bushes GIF was the perfect way to wrap up all my feelings on the whole Chris Gaines project from 20 years ago but then I saw this tweet in which Garth is quoted as saying "The Gaines project isn't done." WTF?!
I imagine this must be a misunderstanding because it's very difficult to imagine how Gaines would resurface in any way that isn't every bit as awkward as it was the first time. I guess time will tell. Gaines re-appears?
And now... distraction.
McBaise - She's a Big Boy - I love the illustration style of McBess and it's really nice to see some color thrown in and a much more laid back track to accompany it. The surprising turn at the end was a real delight. via Falfa.
TNGHT - Gimme Summn - completely mesmerizing despite the song being not great (to me). 100% defies description in all the best ways. via Chad.
Curb Your Cybertruck - the new Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled and really lives up to the "super-futuristic cyberpunk" description Musk said it would. Everyone, rightfully, has thoughts. This moment at the unveil is perfect.
I spent an inordinate amount of time making this Chris Gaines Homer Simpson mashup. All I can see are the rough edges but, frankly, I think they make it a bit more charming. It's dumb but it's perfectly dumb.
As if you needed an excuse for more distractions...
Andy Shauf - Try Again - another new track from the forthcoming album. Fun little animated video.
Every Stefon Ever - this is a five part series of every appearance of Stefon SNL. I did not know he started off in a sketch (an awkward one). I suggest watching them all so that Part 4's parade of characters has maximum impact.
Two updates of note for ya:
1) I had the pleasure of seeing Sasha Velour's Smoke and Mirrors show last night. If you have the chance, go see it. Honestly, it was a brilliant fusion of tech and performance.
2) Today is the last day that I can call Forest Conner a co-worker, as he is leaving VHX (now known as Vimeo OTT). This may mean nothing to you but it's a nice reminder that if you aren't following him on Twitter; do so now. He's one of the best.
Alright, on to some vids.
Smoke & Mirrors Trailer - quick little teaser for the Sasha Velour show mentioned above. She's always used projectors very cleverly in her performance but this show really ups the ante.
US 129 Rock Slide - you will not see anything better on the Internet this week. This guy is absolute perfection.
I *might* do a special Halloween playlist this year if I can get my act together but, in the meantime, please do give yourself some time to enjoy this massive playlist of retro Halloween commercials. There are some real weird gems in there that you don't want to miss.
Here's some distractions for ya...
What is Spoopy? - someone asked me the other day wtf "spoopy" meant and I just sent them this video. That's not the full story but what more do you really need?
Animated Skeleton Dance - when they talk about the dark underbelly of YouTube Kids, this is what they mean, right? Horrifying.
The Pumpkin Dance - I've watched this countless times and it still satisfies every single time. I finally broke down and read the history of the bit and, frankly, it didn't sour it at all.
Super Cat Theme - can I be perfectly honest with you? I wish the Internet was 100% this content.
There's certainly a large part of this that is satisfying because of its nostalgic nature but lots of these are brand new to me and absurdly enjoyable.
I'm doing my best to get into the Halloween mood. It's the 18th and I'm not quite feeling it yet but I suspect spending some time with the Disney Nightmare Mix will get me there. It usually does.
These videos aren't exactly Halloween themed but they will provide a moment for your brain to escape reality and just be stupid for a few minutes.
HyVee Halloween - the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Each individual element here is strange but, together, it's an amazingly bizarre dichotomy.
Thirstbusters! - this Ray Parker Jr commercial is enjoyable-y cringe but the very end contains the absolute worst surprise.
Would I Lie to You? with Bob Mortimer's "Egg in the Bath" - the UK loves a panel show. Admittedly, they're somehow more clever and entertaining than the US counterparts. This clip is a "lengthy" 6 and a half minutes but enjoyable throughout.
I found myself explaining the delight of the Inspector Rex intro this week so we're getting a little Rex here in the header. That pup can catch a flying treat! How many takes were involved in this? I like to believe only one. Rex is that good.
Do yourself a favor and go listen to the new Fetching Pails track, it's on the streaming platforms now.
On to the distractions...
Aldous Harding - "Zoo Eyes" - it'll be hard for Harding to ever top the perfect weirdness of The Barrel but I'll be damned if this isn't absolutely delightful (and still quite weird).
If you're in the Nashville area around Sept 28th, 2019, take some time to swing by Gainesfest; a celebration of the 20-year anniversary of Garth Brooks taking on a fictional pop persona. I have nothing to do with the event but I'll be there slackjawed and staring at a group of people that share such a strange fascination.
A perfect quadruple back tuck - I cruise /r/youtubehaiku fairly regularly looking for items for these Friday compilations and it is mostly awful... but sometimes you come across a solid gem.
Spot Launch - the Boston Dynamics Spot Robo-Dog is now a thing that can be purchased. Admittedly, the technology is impressive but they are intentionally making this commercial feel like a dystopian horror movie, right?!
Amazon Loop - they literally made a wearable ring that you whisper into it and hold to your ear. This implementation is pretty awkward (looking and behaving) but I give them credit for trying something new. Not a funny video, just one to marvel at.
Octopus Dreaming - I will never tire of seeing an animal color shift. Unbelievable every time.
Twen - "Damsel" - been very much enjoying this album lately, thought you might as well.
That's it! Short and sweet.. and, frankly, not all that weird. Hopefully still satisfying as you slide into the weekend.
Did you read that the news this week that Tom Delonge of Blink182 had leaked footage of UFO's and now the Navy has confirmed they are unidentified? Sure, it's not confirmation of aliens but still pretty neat. If you haven't seen the NYT piece on the footage, check it out.
Sept 20th is, apparently, a very big day for musical releases. There's a ton of great new stuff that came out today - Patrick Damphier's remix EP among them. I hope you'll take some time to listen to it.
Tornaders - please be a prank, please be a prank, please be a prank.
Alienstock begins - you know about #StormArea51? The movement to have "thousands" of people storm the government base - running like Naruto - to find answers. It's become a music festival now and I can only imagine how much stupid footage we're going to get over the weekend.
Hey, it's Friday the 13th! Fun fact, it's also the apogee of the Moon, when it is furthest from the Earth and it's a Full Moon. The criteria is all in place for some real wackiness, be on the lookout!
Kind of love that this Stone Jack Jones record came out on a Friday the 13th, it feels extra appropriate.
Anyway, here we go with some distractions I culled together for you.
Allegheny Shredder - Boing Boing recently posted about this companies motto - "The Future Is Here and Everything Needs to be Destroyed." Pretty amazing. Watching the shredder in action is bizarrely calming.
Ceilings in Mr. Robot - been diving into the Jesse Tribble YouTube channel and rather enjoyed this Supercut.
The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored - I absolutely love this song but never watched the video until recently. I'm not sure I regret it but I certainly question my decisions.
That Raccoon yap is completely unrelated to anything but, damn, if it isn't pleasant.
Short and busy week. Here's to a laid back weekend.
David Fincher: Invisible Details - I've been watching Mindhunter lately and it reminded me of this video essay on the insane amount of CG that Fincher uses; often in very subtle ways. If this entertains you, watch the Mindhunter VFX breakdown.
NES Music Inspiration - don't love the narration here but this is a pretty fascinating piece on NES composer Koji Kondo's inspirations. Everything is a Remix.
Supergrass - Alright - it was recently announced that Supergrass would celebrate the 25th anniversary of their first album by reforming for some shows. I have decided to use this as a valid excuse to revisit their fantastic catalog. Here's a playlist of their final setlist back in 2010.
Ashley O - On a Roll - I find myself singing this ridiculous version of "Head Like a Hole" from the Miley Cyrus episode of Black Mirror. It's absolutely terrible but also an earworm.
Stone Jack Jones - I'm Gone - a gentle reminder to watch this new Stone Jack Jones video. It's not fast paced or steeped in Internet Stupidity (which is why I assume you come here) but it is worthwhile. I think it's a beauty, even if it does require a little patience.
This weekend is Dragon Con down in Atlanta. I'll be there and, ideally, constantly picking my jaw up off the floor at all the costumes and masses of people. Watch the ole #dragoncon tag for treats. I'll probably post to my Instagram along the way as well.
As such, my hunting and gathering time for Friday Videos is short. Here's a few selections to take you through the weekend.
Wosop - it takes a solid 45 seconds for this to really start but once you're in, I am confident you'll be in the duration. Via Baldwin.
Last Ninja 2 (C64) [Oscilloscope View] - Davis hipped me to this Commodore 64 game soundtrack that is bonkers good. The video isn't standard Friday Video material but maybe you'll enjoy some incredible songs from 1988.
@yewknee glad to keep the blog on life support. it's truly some of my best RSS content any given week and every time friday videos shows up in my feed i get a little happier.
I don't care much for the ax thowing craze going on right now but see Gritty crush it really brought me back around to a refreshed enjoyment of All Things Gritty. Please let there never be a scandal with him.
Busy week! Busy past FEW weeks actually. Overwhelming you might say. But who's to blame but myself? Enjoy some distractions.
Empire State of Mind - Lizzo has been on YouTube since at least 2010 and published this video where she crushes a flute solo to accompany "Empire State of Mind" - I doubt there's anything else you need to see this week.
Bleary "Bug" - I quite enjoy this band and have been quite enjoying this ongoing series of studio sessions. Give it a listen.
Love After Lockup: Unlocked - I don't watch much trash tv but when I do, it's Love After Lockup, Life After Lockup or 90-Day Fiance. Okay, so maybe I watch a good amount of it. BUT, regardless, WeTV started a recap show where Jamie Bradley is one of the hosts; and it's written by Ashley Spurgeon. So, as far as I'm concerned, this is a Hott Minute product.
It crept up on me but the past few weeks have been an absolute onslaught of work and random projects. I'm a bit overwhelmed to be completely honest so, if you're waiting on an email from me - please be patient.
Despite that, I must find breaks for sanity. Here's a sanity break for you:
Gary Stewart - She's Acting Single - the latest episode of Nashville Demystified takes a deep dive into the late David Berman's blog, Purple Mountains. One of the links they share is this track via Berman. It's phenomenal.
Faux Ferocious - Price of Progress - I really love this Faux Ferocious album that came out in 2019 and this video is an excellent companion for this track. It's simple but it works so well.
Yes, another Garth Brooks GIF as our cover image. Are the videos below related to the above Shruggie? Only one way to find out.
Thought Diaries "Enjoying Stuff" - Adult Swim often does small little short films but they generally lean into the "wow, that was weird" category. This one is shockingly optimistic. via Davis.
Purple Mountains - Darkness and Cold - David Berman passed away this week. He wasn't an artist that I had much of a connection with but he clearly meant a lot to a lot of people. Sad to see someone go so early. I take it as a signal to dive a bit deeper into his back catalog of Silver Jews work. This song / video are fun, albeit clearly melancholy.
Green Shirt Guy - During a bit of a ruckus at a Tucson City Council Meeting (voting on becoming a Sanctuary City, which some residents, apparently, didn't care for) this man in a Green Shirt is highly entertained. He is a silver lining of goodness in these dark times. Seriously.
