Video (and mp3): "The Fine Friends Are Here" - Dan Zanes and Friends

As previously noted, Dan Zanes' next DVD, The Fine Friends Are Here, will be out next week. Zanes and his (fine) friends were recorded live at Brooklyn's Jalopy Theatre, and, yeah, they're all up there on that tiny stage. Want the audio from the title track in a nice, portable mp3 format? Well, here you go. (Thanks, Razor and Tie!) For those of you more visually-oriented, check out the DVD video below. Like I said, tiny stage... Dan Zanes and Friends - "The Fine Friends Are Here" [Myspace] Dan Zanes and Friends - The Fine Friends Are Here
(You're also welcome to go here and order the disk with free shipping through the 22nd. Just enter "ZANESDVD" at checkout.)

Video: "Poor Dust Bunnies" - Caspar Babypants

When your fans turn out fan videos like these, then you've got it made. Caspar Babypants (aka Chris Ballew) has got it made. Here's a very simple, but cute, video for "Poor Dust Bunnies" (off of Here I Am!) from a fan by the name of Greg DeLiso. Caspar Babypants - "Poor Dust Bunnies" (fan video) [YouTube]

Video: "Science Is Real" - They Might Be Giants

If any video or song from They Might Be Giants' excellent new CD/DVD set Here Comes Science will generate controversy, it's the leadoff track "Science Is Real." "I like those stories / about angels, unicorns, and elves / Now, I like those stories / As much as anybody else / But when I'm seeking knowledge / Either simple or abstract / The facts are with science / Science is real," the Johns sing, and I suppose there are going to be a few people in the angel camp who are displeased. (I guess they can join the displeased unicorn and elvish factions.) Now, I don't actually think of this song as being anti-religion (I personally subscribe to a faith that has room for science), but there may be folks who disagree. Listen, watch, and decide for yourself (which is, uh, one of the implicit themes of the whole album). They Might Be Giants - "Science Is Real" [YouTube]

Video: "Among the Green Leaves" - Kesang Marstrand

I'll have more to say about Kesang Marstrand's lullaby album Hello Night shortly, but for now I'll leave you with this video for the album's "Among the Green Leaves." After you watch for twenty seconds or so, you ask yourself, "Is anything going to happen here?" SPOILER ALERT! (The answer is no.) But it's a calming lullaby song -- who's to say that anything should happen? Kesang Marstrand - "Among the Green Leaves" [YouTube]

Video: "Shadows" (Live) - The Not-Its

I mentioned a few weeks back the Bumbershoot offspring Youngershoot, and now it's here. The Seattle fest features Central Services Board of Education hitting the stage in about a half-hour, with Recess Monkey tomorrow, but here for your viewing pleasure is The Not-Its from Saturday's set playing one of the best tracks from their We Are the Not-Its! debut, "Shadows." Besides the fact that the brought their horn section to the show, I love the fact that the female trumpet player also donned a poofy skirt to blend in. The Not-Its - "Shadows" (Live at Bumbershoot)

Video: "King Ferdinand" (Live) - Peter Himmelman

Here's another Peter Himmelman song from My Trampoline performed on his Furious World webcast. I just love the guitar riff in this song. Plus a bonus made-up song (with a word that may or may not be acceptable for the kids in your household) and a brief snippet of Igor Stravinsky (who probably made a lot more people upset than the use of that word I just referred to). Peter Himmelman - "King Ferdinand" (Live)