"The Crust Lady" - The Ukulady

Artist: The Ukulady

Song: "The Crust Lady"

Album: To the Downfall of Evil!

Description: Loopy.  Askew.  Slightly off.  So, of course, about 20% (30%? this isn't exactly precise) of you families will think this is awesome.  Are you one of the 20% (or 30%)?  The only way you'll know is to watch (give it at least a minute).  The animation is courtesy Will Guy from Goopymart.

Source: YouTube

"Sleep Eye" - Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower

Artist: Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower

Song: "Sleep Eye"

Album: Little Seed: Songs for Children by Woody Guthrie

Description: As I said in the main blog the other day, this is one gorgeously-filmed video.  As one would expect from the title, don't watch this one expecting to be rarin' to go.  Definitely one for the down times.

Source: Vimeo

"(Sing a Song of) Christmas Cheer" - Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke

Song: "(Sing a Song of) Christmas Cheer"
Album: Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke Sing Songs of Christmas Cheer
Description: A minimally animated (but maximally fun) video from one of last year's fine crop of holiday albums, "Christmas Cheer" is full of that.  Plus, it shows you exactly how lucky those folks on Wilde's Christmas card list really are.
Source: YouTube

"Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow" - Dan Zanes with Suzan-Lori Parks

Artist: Dan Zanes with Suzan-Lori Parks

Song: "Rise Up Shepherd, and Follow"

Album: Christmas in Concord

Description: Expanding 2011's fine 5-song EP with a couple songs, including this duet with playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, Zanes moves into "mini-album" territory.   He also gives us this retro-filter-filled lo-fi video featuring Zanes and Parks (on washboard).  It's a DZ video, so that's reason enough to watch, but if you need another reason, pay attention to see the only hat crazy enough to steal the attention away from Zanes' famously unruly hairdo.

Source: YouTube

"Fuzzy & Orange" - Todd McHatton

Artist: Marvy Monstone's Mysterious Fun Time Dream Band (aka Todd McHatton)

Song: "Fuzzy & Orange"

Album: Todd McHatton Presents Marvy Monstone's Mysterious Fun Time Dream Band

Description: I think I like this video because the production values are adequate, not spiffy -- its "let's try this after-effect!" attitude matches the revved up, synthesized song.  Also, I love Finch's collar and necktie.

Source: YouTube

"Alphabet of Nations" - They Might Be Giants

Artist: They Might Be Giants

Song: "Alphabet of Nations" (extended version)

Album: No! (10th Anniversary Deluxe Reissue)

Description: I think I slightly prefer the original video on the Here Come the ABCs disk.  But this has its own in-your-face charm.  Plus, beyond the new countries in the bridge, there are not one but two West Xylophone jokes.  I'm always down for a good West Xylophone joke.

Source: YouTube