The only serious problem with this video, for John Hadfield's goofy, made-for-Dr.-Demento classic "Robot Monkey Head," is that it's about a month too late. Seriously, totally Halloween appropriate.
Oh, and if you're a 7-year-old boy, you'll go nuts for this video, a relatively literal translation of this song, natch.
John Hadfield - "Robot Monkey Head" [YouTube]
Video: "Centipede Pirate" - Recess Monkey
I suppose if Drew Holloway hadn't been filmed wearing a brown paper bag and black tights through Washington, DC, Jack Forman's trip through Jack Meyer with a centipede pirate face mask would be more impressive. (The Onion "Area Man" t-shirt dims the effective, no?) I love the posters, though, and the gratuitous recycling plug (I'm guessing there's a theme there for an episode on the new, upcoming Recess Monkey DVD.)
Recess Monkey - "Centipede Pirate" [YouTube]
Video: "Fa and a La" - Gustafer Yellowgold
I've been resisting the urge to post winter holiday-related videos and stuff because I'm that grumpy old man who gets irritated when hearing Christmas carols the day after Halloween.
Rest assured, I'll get to them eventually (maybe after Thanksgiving), but I'll make an exception for this new video from Gustafer Yellowgold. It's mellow (natch) and neatly captures the warmth that the Gustafer-se generates and ties it to the season. Add some chords, and perhaps you could carol that thing.
Gustafer Yellowgold - "Fa and a La" [YouTube]
Video: "Pet Dinosaur" - Einstein's Monkey
I think this song -- "Pet Dinosaur" from the Virginia band Einstein's Monkey -- could probably do with about 5 to 10% fewer words. And I'm not the biggest fan of the vocal stylings.
But the song is kinda amusing, and the video, animated by Brian Bear is very much so. The opening intro has a bit of a Dead Milkmen "Bitchin' Camaro" vibe to it. Not much of one, but just enough.
Einstein's Monkey - "Pet Dinosaur" [YouTube]
Video: "Ain't Gonna Rain" (Live) - The Hollow Trees
Here in Phoenix, I feel like we sing this song way too often. Here's the great LA kid-folk/grass group The Hollow Trees doing an energetic version of "Ain't Gonna Rain" (also found on their album Welcome To Nelsonville, reviewed here) live at an LA-area farmers' market.
The Hollow Trees - "Ain't Gonna Rain" (Live) - [YouTube]
But I hear you saying, where in the world can I watch and listen to entire Hollow Trees concert? I can solve that problem too...
Video: "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" - Debbie and Friends
Things that I'm not a big fan of regarding the new video for "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" from Debbie and Friends: the sticks for arms on all but one of the human characters.
Things I'm a big fan of regarding the video: the exaggerated cartoonish action and expressions, the human characters' "jazz hands," the brief "what happens after the story" vignettes that lend the traditional story a bit more shading.
It's a big '70s soft-rock sound that may not be your cup of tea, but I think younger kids will be intrigued by the video.
Debbie and Friends - "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" [YouTube]
Debbie Cavalier, by the way, is in the studio recording the follow-up to Story Songs and Sing Alongs -- expect more story songs and some guest stars, too...
