Broken Bells - The High Road

Peanut butter and jelly. Pita and hummus. The Beatles and Jay-Z. Some pairings just need to be experienced to fully comprehend. Hello Broken Bells - the unlikely duo of  The Shins' James Mercer and Brian 'Danger Mouse' Burton. I'm a huge fan of the Shins and everything Danger Mouse touches seems to turn to gold, so this odd couple assuredly would make sweet sweet musical love together. The result: picture The Shins riding an electric keyboard through a dark forest. Check it!

Listen: The High Road

 

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Julian Casablancas (w/ Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, The Roots) - I Wish It Was Christmas Today

Though I'm a avid aficionado of both music and comedy, it's rare that a performance combines the two in an impressive and interesting way. Check out Julian Casablancas of The Strokes bringing the SNL classic 'I Wish It Was Christmas Today' to Late Night with original performers Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz, and an assist from house band The Roots. Also, pick up Julian's solo album Phrazes for the Young for more of his effortless NYC cool.



For reference: long-haired Fallon, a portly Sanz, Chris Kattan, and Tracy Morgan performing the original on SNL:

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Erik Hassle - Hurtful

Every once in a while an artist comes along whose music seems clearly destined for commercial success but still avoids the all-too-familiar trappings of Top 40 pop. Swedish-born London resident Erik Hassle is that guy! Santigold, Keane, and John Legend also come to mind as popular but unique talents.

Though his soulful voice is vaguely reminiscent of Gavin Degraw, 20-year old Hassle ignites his tracks with surprising instrumentation and a seasoned confidence. Already a hit in Sweden and the UK, first single 'Hurtful' is a pop classic in the making. Get familiar before Gossip Girl snatches it up.

Watch: 'Hurtful'

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The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret w/ David Cross & Will Arnett

Arrested Development fans rejoice! Two of the shows stars David Cross and Will Arnett have rejoined forces in The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret written exclusively by Cross for Channel 4 UK. The show premired late November in the UK and features Cross as hapless loser Todd Margeret who gets hired by foul-mouthed exec Arnett to run an energy drink business in London.

It's great to see these two working together (alongside Spike Jonze!) and should satiate AD fans until the movie gets released eventually. Hopefully this will immigrate to the US very soon. Watch a clip from the first episode below:

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New in 2010: Yeasayer & Vampire Weekend

The two albums I'm most looking forward to in 2010 is Yeasayer's Odd Blood and Vampire Weekend's Contra. Both Brooklyn-based groups gained wide acclaim with their previous freshman albums and have each released new videos to whet our appetites. Yeasayer's video for 'Ambling Alp' is considerably more psychedelic (you've been warned) but features one of their most uplifting sing-along choruses. Odd Blood is out 2/9 via Secretly Canadian.

Watch: 'Ambling Alp'



Vampire Weekend's is also jubilant with a bit of an old-school ska-punk feel. The video is quirky and features the guys traveling on a moving platform in an alley wearing masks of each other with confetti flying. Contra is out 1/12 via XL.

Watch: 'Cousins'

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Trailer: Broken Lizard - The Slammin' Salmon

From Broken Lizard, the creators of Super Troopers and Beerfest, comes The Slammin' Salmon. This movie sees the gang working at a restaurant when the owner (Michael Clarke Duncan) pits them against each other to see who can make the most money in one shift.

As a one-time waiter, I'm excited to see the troupe's take on the mischief behind the scenes. If you prefer to stay in the dark as to what's going on with your food before it hits your table, maybe skip this one. If you're ready for the truth, go see this movie! Out everywhere December 11th. Check out the trailer below:

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The Golden Silvers - Please Venus

One of my favorite young bands out of Britain recently is Golden Silvers. Three dudes from London that all sing and play the catchiest funky pop songs since Curtis Mayfield. It doesn't get more fun than "Arrows of Eros" and their new single "Please Venus" shows signs of great things to come.

Watch: Arrows of Eros



Watch: Please Venus

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