Video: "Subway Train" - The Pop Ups

Oh, those halcyon days of 2010, when somebody could casually mention, "I like that Pop Ups CD," I'd track down the album and BOOM!  Mind. Blown.

Even after their second album, Radio Jungle, was nominated for a Grammy this year, Brooklyn's Pop Ups are finally getting around to publicly showing a video from that 2010 debut, Outside Voices.  It's for the song "Subway Train," and it's just had its premiere at the New York International Children's Film Festival.  Animator Garrett Davis (who also did "Box of Crayons") gives each of the animals riding the train their own personalities.  This could have easily played Sesame Street 20 years ago.

The Pop Ups - "Subway Train" [YouTube]

Video: "Inspiration" - Cat Doorman

Who inspired Juliana Bright, who under the moniker Cat Doorman has released the Cat Doorman Songbook?  Well, for this, her first video from the album, for the track "Inspiration," it was her daughter, whose drawings served as the basis for Bright's drawings.  (Alexis Gideon joined in.)  Lo-fi and lovely.

Cat Doorman - "Inspiration" [Vimeo]

Monday Morning Smile: "Paperman"

In case you're one of the few who either didn't a) see Wreck-It Ralph or b) see the news of this a few days ago, Disney uploaded the full animated version of its Oscar-nominated short film Paperman on YouTube.  That means you're lucky enough to see the gorgeously-animated dialogue-free 6-minute short that originally aired prior to Wreck-It Ralph last fall for the first time.  I suppose there are things one could quibble about (must those characters' eyes still be so darn huge?), but as an example of storytelling (and melding of CGI and hand-drawn animation techniques), it's beautiful.

Video: "Too Dirty to Love" - Caspar Babypants

Caspar Babypants and Charlotte Blacker, back together again for kindie video goodness.  Last time it was knitted bears, this time it's collage-y grungy worms.  It's for "Too Dirty to Love" (featuring vocals from Rachel Flotard), off the brand-new and excellent CB album I Found You!.

Caspar Babypants - "Too Dirty to Love" [YouTube]

Video: "Count Them As They Go" - Justin Roberts

Ah, a new Justin Roberts album, perfect for seasonally-appropriate gift-giving.  His new album Lullaby comes out next week, and with a title like that, you can surmise that it won't contain raved-up power-pop confections.

It is, however, perfect for these rapidly shortening days of diminishing light and nesting feelings.

The leadoff single is "Count Them As They Go," and the video from the fine folks at ALSO is, like Roberts' songwriting, a model of precision, with everything in its right place.  Lovely and reassuring.

Justin Roberts - "Count Them As They Go" [YouTube]

Video: "Give It Away" - Renee & Jeremy

It's been a long election season.  And while I celebrate all things electoral and watch relatively little commercial TV, even I would admit to looking forward to the impending absence of political ads from our airwaves.

Instead of watching six political ads, can I get you and your kids to watch this trippy 3-minute video for Renee & Jeremy's unique cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Give It Away" from their covers album A Little Love?  It will make you feel much happier before you dive into your exit polls, pundits, and electoral maps for the day.

Renee & Jeremy - "Give It Away" [YouTube]