Monday Morning Smile: "New York City" - They Might Be Giants

The They Might Be Giants version of the song's been around for more than a decade, and even this video isn't particularly new -- it was originally made in 2006 by animator/designer Joshua Hester as a grad school project.  But for those of you who are Readeez fans, and even those who aren't (though I'd have to wonder about you types), the detail here is pretty awesome.  Everything in the video -- from the telephone cord at the beginning to the Brooklyn Bridge at the end -- is based on a typographical element.

They Might Be Giants - "New York City" (video by Joshua Hester) [Vimeo]

Video: "Gotta Be You" - Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

We don't talk about "star quality" much in kids music -- the giants of the genre like Ella Jenkins or Raffi command the stage more with quiet presence rather than loudness.  But Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has that other kind of "star quality," which suggests he's supremely confident in what he's singing and rapping about.

Watch this video for "Gotta Be You," a track off of his new album Make Believers, and tell me that he -- and DJ Fireworks and Adam Strange, who also contribute -- doesn't have some star quality. (Hat tip: Dadnabbit)

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - "Gotta Be You" [YouTube]

Video: "Happy Place" - Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips

To call this video from Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips sun-drenched understates the amount of sunshine that went into its making -- if it could convert the solar energy inside into electricity, it'd be a big enough carbon offset for an entire town.  It's for "Happy Place," the leadoff single from their new album Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution, out May 8th.  A lovely summer jam with a fun California-beach video to match.

Mista Cookie Jar & the Chocolate Chips - "Happy Place" [YouTube]

Video: "Yellow" - Renee & Jeremy

Renee & Jeremy's new album of covers A Little Love is out in a couple weeks.  It's good.  Really good.  (Stream some long-form samples at their website.)  But I can hear some hipsters saying, "Coldplay? Really?"

I'm sorry -- the LA duo (and Kindiefest showcaser's) cover of "Yellow" is gorgeous.  And their new video for the song, created by Jon Izen?  Just as much so.  If you don't like this, I feel sorry for you.

Renee & Jeremy - "Yellow" [YouTube via Huffington Post]

Video: "Swim Like the Dolphin" - Rolie Polie Guacamole

This video for "Swim Like the Dolphin" from Rolie Polie Guacamole's latest album Houses of the Moly second album Hummus is a lot like the song -- pretty simple but very effective.  81 seconds of a sweet little stop-motion animation video from Miriam Rayevsky.

Rolie Polie Guacamole - "Swim Like the Dolphin" [YouTube]

Video: "My Dog Steve" - The Hipwaders (World Premiere)

Short, sharp, and to the point, that's "My Dog Steve," the leadoff track from the Hipwaders' most-excellent latest release, The Golden State.

As a recent initiate into the world of dog-owner-dom, this song makes even more sense now than it did last summer when I first heard it.  But even cat people will like it, I promise.

I'm proud to be world-premiering the new video for the song.  The occasionally retro-styled video featuring assorted canine hijinks is from the fine folks at Planet Sunday.  Make sure you stick around to the end of the video for, yes, the twist ending.

The Hipwaders - "My Dog Steve" [YouTube]