Seriously, folks. The videos from They Might Be Giants' excellent CD/DVD combo Here Comes Science, combined with a quiz and a chance to win a free mp3 (if you answer 12 of 18 questions (one pegged to each of the videos from the album).
Play below. Seriously. Now.
All Weezer's Friends Are Insects, Apparently
Weezer. Yo Gabba Gabba! How could this not being anything but appointment TV, right? I mean, even if it failed, it would have to be something worth viewing.
So, yes, the alternative-rockers that first burst onto the scene with a video inserting themselves into an episode of Happy Days recently taped a video for the show for a new song called "All My Friends Are Insects" that indicates that, yes, you will want to watch. The four guys, all dressed up as insects, rock out with guitars and basses, and in the case of drummer Pat Wilson, as a praying mantis with four drum sticks (what better way to get those hi-hats, I suppose). Entertainment Weekly's Music Mix blog has the behind-the-scenes video from the video shoot, including some muddy sound. (Original hat tip: Pitchfork.)
Seeing Weezer prance around in dorky costumes (what could be more appropriate on October 30?) makes me think that Yo Gabba Gabba! is kinda become a Soupy Sales Show for the new millenium. Sales was known for getting a bunch famous guest stars to come on his show, and the idea that Dean Martin, Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, or Frank Sinatra would be willing to get a pie in the face is kinda amusing to me. Now, big stars (or at least medium-sized stars) are willing to come onto YGG and wear silly costumes or dance geekily. When Oprah shows up and does her own Dancey Dance, we'll know they've hit the big time...
Songs For Halloween (Updated Yet Again)
Like a zombie, you just can't stop my continually-updated and rattily compiled collection of Halloween kids music. I've taken last year's list and updated it further with help from last year's comments and Bill's Halloween show.
As always, please add stuff I've missed in the comments...
First, Ira Marlowe's put out an album called The Chills, which is chock-full of Halloween tunes that are a little scary (but not too much so) for elementary-aged kids. The music's OK, but if your kids are looking to be tested a bit in their courage, you could do a lot worse than this disk.
Other newer(-ish) songs:
-- The Hipwaders - Bonobo Joe and the Voodoo Queen (see here)
-- Baze and His Silly Friends - Scare Me Scare You!
-- Mighty Weaklings - The Monster Under My Bed
-- Laura Freeman - My Brother's a Monster
-- Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Boogieman
-- Keith Munslow - Boogieman
-- The Sippy Cups - Day After Halloween
Interview: Dave Poche (Imagination Movers)

So How Was That Decemberists Kids Show?

Video: "C'mon" - Renee & Jeremy
Love the song (which you can pick up here), but no matter how many times Renee and Jeremy spell the title track to their new album un-capitalized, here I go capitalizing it. Even though running around on a beach with a dog and kids is pretty much the epitome of non-capitalization...
Renee & Jeremy - "C'mon" [YouTube]