Vampire Weekend Unplug For MTV

"Ivy-League indie rockers Vampire Weekend refine all the energy, wit and charm of their songs for this pitch-perfect 'MTV Unplugged' performance."

So says MTV.com, where you can watch the boys play a six song set, featuring three new tunes and three oldies: "A-Punk", "White Sky", "M79", "Run", "Cousins", and "Oxford Comma". A string section joins the band on stage, surrounded by candles, Persian rugs and audience members sitting Indian-style, in usual Unplugged fashion. The band's second studio album, Contra, has leaked already and I've heard most of the songs. I'm really digging it so far. Stereogum has a "Premature Evaluation" of the album on their site and we'll have a full album review here once it hits the shelves. Unplugged seems to be making a bit of a comeback, if only on MTV.com. It's fun to watch. Though I would've hoped to have heard a cover in the set (how about their version of "Everywhere" by Fleetwood Mac or "Exit Music (For A Film)" by Radiohead?), beggars can't be choosers. Here's an early favorite, in my opinion, from the new record, "Run". Watch the entire show here.

Vampire Weekend - "Run"

Vampire Weekend - New Music - More Music Videos

Contra is out via XL Records this Tuesday (1/12).

MTV VMAs Are On Tonight

This guy is hosting again. He's funny, I guess. I'm not too high on the awards themselves, though. I expect a whole lot of flare and screwing. I wrote a post a while back about the important categories. It's here. What will happen? Well I know Muse is performing and that should be exciting. Other than that, I think I'll just switch to the show when there's a commerical break in Sunday Night Football.

It pains me to write this post... I just know it's going to be awful. But I hope I'm surprised.

Radiohead - "Optimistic"

The VMAs are on tonight. On MTV. Check your local listings.

The Only VMA's Worth Caring About

This post comes hours after praising MTV's earlier days. The nominees for the 2009 Music Video Awards were announced earlier this week, and as predicted, it's mostly all a disgrace. I can name a handful of these artists that merely stole riffs and beats from classic songs and sprinkled their own unpoetical trash on top of it, with help from their millionaire producers, of course. What a joke. These are why are kids are failing out of schools; not because of poor family lives or video games, but because they are witnessing the world's worst music on mainstream MTV, sending the majority of society back thousands of years. Okay - enough.

We're not going to go into "Video Of The Year", "Best Hip-Hop Video", and that other shit. You'll just want to gouge your eyes out in shame. So here are the ones we actually care about:

"Best Rock Video"

Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
Fall Out Boy - "I Don't Care"
Green Day - "21 Guns"
Kings Of Leon - "Use Somebody"
Paramore - "Decode"

Wouldn't it be sick to see Kings win this one? They won't. Not by a long shot. Other losers: Paramore was last year's flavor and they wrote this tune for a movie, so instant "No" for that video. Fall Out Boy didn't make enough of a splash this year. Coldplay received enough Grammy's to hold them over. Truth is, MTV loves Green Day too much. My guess is those whiny Anti-Americans steal this one and further push teenagers into cliche anarchy in the "punk rock" genre of the late 00's.

Kings Of Leon - "Use Somebody"

Kings Of Leon - New Music - More Music Videos

"Breakthrough Video"

Anjulie - "Boom"
Bat For Lashes - "Daniel"
Chairlift - "Evident Utensil"
Cold War Kids - "I've Seen Enough"
Death Cab For Cutie - "Grapevine Fires"
Gnarls Barkley - "Who's Gonna Save My Soul"
Major Lazer - "Hold The Line"
Mat And Kim - "Lessons Learned"
Passion Pit - "The Reeling"
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Heads Will Roll"

This is an exciting one .Okay, so the VMA's are all about "music videos" - correct? Okay, well in this case, I'm rooting for Bat For Lashes, Death Cab For Cutie, or Major Lazer. All really terrific videos, especially the animated ones. But then again, I wouldn't be sad if any of these groups walked away with the moonman. This is obviously what's become of the old "MTV2 Award" and it should go to an alternative act (who remembers the "Best Alternative Video" category in the early 90's?). If I have to choose one, my money's going on Gnarls Barkley.

Gnarls Barkley - "Who's Gonna Save My Soul"

Gnarls Barkley - New Music - More Music Videos

"Best Video (That Should Have Won A Moonman)"

Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"
Björk - "Human Behaviour"
David Lee Roth - "California Girls"
Dr. Dre - "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang"
Foo Fighters - "Everlong"
George Michael - "Freedom"
OK Go - "Here It Goes Again"
Radiohead - "Karma Police"
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers - "Into The Great Wide Open"
U2 - "Where The Streets Have No Name"

I dig this category. Every year they come up with another absurd award and this year, it's this nostalgia-redemption one. My vote: Radiohead, Radiohead, Radiohead... or Beastie Boys. The video for "Karma Police" is masterful, but the video for "Sabotage" is such a classic. If neither can't have it, then I say give it to Foo Fighters, Tom Petty, or U2. All these videos are great, I just believe that some are better than others. Ultimately, Radiohead has a history of being robbed, so they deserve this. We'll see how it plays out.

Beastie Boys - "Sabotage"

Beastie Boys - New Music - More Music Videos

Get well soon, MCA. We missed you at All Points West.

What are your thoughts? For the complete list of nominees in each category, check out the VMA website here. And be sure to get ready to vomit when English prick Russel Brand hosts the 25th Annual MTV Video Music Awards, live from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, September 13th. I'll watching it with a bucket and a bottle of ipecac.

Happy (Belated) Birthday, MTV

Music Television was born on August 1, 1981 @ 12:01 AM. We're big critics of what MTV has become over the years here at NMTM. And why shouldn't we be? MTV as we loved it has died from a slow and painful death over time; a cancer of reality television and mind-numbing musical "talent". Sometimes it's hard to remember MTV's legacy, including it's prestigious past. For it was MTV that really did change the way people viewed music and television itself. All day, all night, all music video; seems like a dream to us now, right? Anyway, the 80's had the greatest music in my opinion and I will forever be envious of the great decade in music; and music television, of course. So Happy Birthday, MTV. You're 28. We wish you still had that childhood magic. Gone, but not forgotten.

"Ladies and gentlemen: Rock 'n' roll."
Oh, the glory days...
The Buggles - "Video Killed The Radio Star" (First video ever to be played on MTV)

The Blink Tour Is Go!

Blink 182 kicked off their reunion tour a few days ago in Vegas. We are so pumped that they are back together and hitting the road again. MTV's got the coverage because they were there, unlike us. So check it out here. Apparently, they still sound great and put on a killer show (and don't worry, they haven't matured past spitting out obscenities on stage). I'm seeing them August 26 in Holmdel, New Jersey, with Taking Back Sunday and Weezer, so I could not be more excited. Enjoy the video clip. Peace.

Blink 182 - "Carousel", "Dammit"

WTF Is MTV2 Doing Now...

Late night channeling surfing prompted me to do some research on MTV's latest attempt to restore order and purity to their networks. Apparently their bringing back some nostalgic clips of failed cartoons and 90's music videos to the late night MTV2 timeslot. For me, that's better than reality shows and no music videos whatsoever. Here's the article that was apparently already written last month. (I don't get MTV/MTV2 with my normal cable anymore. Damn recession.)

From MTVU.com:

MTV2 LEGIT Resurrects Classic ’90s Shows
Posted June 12th, 2009by mtvU

In the ’90s, MTV released a string of shows that, although short-lived, quickly became cult classics.

The channel is finally giving in to demand and bringing many of those great shows back from the dead. MTV2 LEGIT showcases groundbreaking talents from shows that defined MTV in the 1990’s like Beavis & Butthead, Celebrity Deathmatch, The State and clips from Liquid Television including Aeon Flux and The Maxx.

MTV2 LEGIT opens the MTV archive and delivers a whole decade’s worth of music videos and on-air promos, including Denis Leary rants and awkward rides with Jimmy The Cab Driver, plus commentary from Method Man, Redman, Tom Morello and more.

To relive all these cult faves and more, tune in to MTV2 on Friday nights at 10PM ET.

- MTVU.

Okay, I'm going to place a bet and say this won't last past the summer. Who wants bet against me? Despite all this, I enjoyed these two videos that were played in their entirity last night, with some comentary from members of 311, The Roots, and Street Sweeper Social Club.

Foo Fighters - "Big Me"

Foo Fighters - New Music - More Music Videos

R.E.M. - "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?"

R.E.M. - New Music - More Music Videos

Meh. I hate copyrights.

Another MTV Screwing Music Situation

They've done it again. MTV found another way to make sure no music videos are played on their station or any others in the MTV/Viacom family. This time it's with MTV2, which I used to hold in such high regard, until the ended music countdowns, ended the Subterranean production crew, ended being cool, and ended being anything worth watching (what the fuck is "Bully Beatdown" and what does that have to do with music television?)

The other night, as I was in bed, trying to get comfortable, I turned on MTV2 to see Beavis and Butthead. "All right", I thought. Some vintage programming and fairly funny, if I say so. I like dumb humor. But MTV2 found a way TO EDIT ALL MUSIC VIDEOS OUT OF BEAVIS AND BUTTHEAD. Now the show just looks retarded without any cutaways and you start to understand how stupid the show really is without them. Why get rid of the music? We enjoyed the banter. We enjoyed the two dimwitted teens comment on both mainstream and underground videos. Shit. Why?

MTV sucks. Fact. Now I will go dig a hole in my backyard and bury myself. Here's a classic B&B music video clip for your entertainment:

"Let's get a little mellow" with Radiohead.

(Real) Music On MTV!...Hits...: Oasis' Hitlist

Take. Oasis.

It's a snow day here in the most agreeable town of Kutztown, Pennsylania. I wasn't sure if I'd have the day off, usually because our school loves to make the kids suffer and travel in harsh and sometimes live threatening conditions. Very typical. However, I took a chance on my scheduling and stayed up late last night. Around 1:30 AM, I turned over to MTV Hits, because I thought to myself, "Hey, sometimes you get lucky; even with MTV." For those who are unawarem MTV Hits plays all music videos, however, it's a digital cable network and not many people get to experience it. But believe me, you're truly not missing out. It's pretty much Akon's, T-Pain's, Ludacris', or Lily Wayne's playlists; all day, every day. MTV loves sucking their dicks. Needless to say, those playlists are utterly terrible; same repetitive bullshit, stolen beats, shitty lyrics about nothing important, etc. But last night, I felt lightning strike. The shock of the lightning: Oasis' playlist (figures it's only on MTV Hits at 1 AM...). The Oasis of today!

I was struggling to stay awake because Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually my busiest days on campus. But I felt inspired to stay up and see what Oasis had in store for the viewers. This was a once in a lifetime treat (isn't that sad?). So I started watching, and from what I can remember, Liam Gallagher, Noel Galllagher, and Andy Bell were the only guys interviewed, talking about their picks for music videos and things like that. It was cool to see the guys lounge around, cuss, and all the jazz, because they really don't get any air time on American television anymore. They had some decent picks, some things I hadn't heard before. Here's what I can recall:

Kasabian - Club Foot
Ian Brown - F.E.A.R.
Super Furry Animals - Golden Retriever
Pink Floyd - Money
The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Smiths - This Charming Man
*Noel goes, "The next song is by The Smiths. Because Morrissey's a fucking genius. Marr's a genius. And here it is."
The La's - There She Goes

After that, I think I fell asleep. I woke up this morning to my TV blaring The Pussycat Dolls. MTV Hits disappoints me. But last night's little escapade seemed like more of an intern's meddling than a planned program. Regardless, I enjoyed it very much. Here's a vintage video of Oasis prefoming "Supersonic" on 120 Minutes, though it's played on MTV2 (even that is disgustingly horrible now, as well). Check out Noel's expression and his stance. Priceless. Oasis on MTV Hits last night was exactly what the band is: refreshing.

Oasis - Supersonic (Live)

MTV's 25th Video Music Awards: The Collapse Of Mankind

I'm debating whether or not I want to get into this, but whatever, here it goes. Britney Spears: train wreck, worst mother in modern times, Satan, whatever - took home 3 awards. It's obvious that MTV wants to resurrect her (or just bring her up only to have her come crashing down - again). Regardless, her music is ass and I'm surprised she's still alive.

Other categories, let's see. Tokio Hotel (sp?)? The lead singer looks like a chick, sounds like a chick, hair looks like an explosion. Another pop-punk band that ruins good labels and further brings about the Apocalypse. They won Best New Artist. Good God.

Russell Brand was host. Very British. American audiences didn't get him. It's cool, he's British. His whole angle was being outlandish to us. I think he did his job.

I didn't really watch the whole thing, but I heard Lil' Wayne put on a good show. Maybe I'll catch it sometime soon. I mean, MTV will only play it 50 more times within the next 2 weeks or so (they could be playing "Music Videos"...).

What a joke. This makes me want to puke. I'm surprised I didn't talk about the Jonas Brothers. ...Too easy.

Stereogum does a good job of pointing out some awards given to good bands (Death Cab For Cutie, Gnarls Barkley, The White Stripes) in a post last week. Check it out here.

I'm going to go watch clips of early 90's performances at the VMA's and cry. Later.

P.S. In 1991, R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" won Video of the Year. In 1993, Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" won the prestigious one, too. Fast forward: Britney Spears wins it in 2008 with "Piece of Me". ... I am looking forward to the end of time in 2012.

P.P.S. I will not bold shitty artists. They do not deserve it. Even on a cheap college blog.

Inspired by VH1 Classic's "80 Hours of the 80's"...

Jim's recent post (only a few minutes old) has inspired me to get some blogging in on this quiet, but warm late-summer Sunday. And yes, Radiohead is holy. The video is proof.

Living off-campus has it's perks. One of them being advanced cable. I get almost as many channels as I do back home in New Jersey as I do here in my little townhouse just minutes from the south campus at KU. I've been a huge fan of VH1 Classic since I got the channel through digital cable and tuned in a few years ago. Recently, they've had some programming changes (getting rid of classic VJs and abolishing some of the really cool old shows). I could go on and on about how fucked up that is because MTV has killed what any rational person would believe "music television" should be, but that's being saved for a day I'm moody.

Regardless, VH1 Classic is a great station where you're never far off from a little treasure or a nostaglic memory. And speaking of nostalgia, VH1 Classic's got this thing going on all long-weekend long called "80 Hours of the 80's". It's basically all 80's videos...for 80 hours. From A-Z. A cool concept, but nothing ground-breaking. It's fun to kick back and check out these old classics from before directors and let-alone artists knew what music videos were or how they should be made. However, a lot of bands/artists/directors did things right and created some masterpieces that will stand the test of time, even when MTV ultimately eliminates music videos then denies their existence. It'll happen. Wait and see.

Here is my favorite and yet very predictable list of 80's music videos. Count 'em: 10 great ones. Check them out. I promise to keep descriptions short.

10. Men At Work - Down Under (1981)


Kooky and cool. The Aussie Men At Work just looked like they had fun with this one. It's a pretty early attempt at a music video and the song is apparently Australia's unofficial national anthem. Video.

9. R.E.M. - Can't Get There From Here (1985)


Another blatantly funny one. Just the four dudes from Athens, GA messin' around, frolicking in the fields, throwing popcorn at each other at drive-ins, etc. One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite groups. Video.

8. The Smiths - Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before (1987)


What a strange and egocentric world Morrissey has come up with in this one: everyone looks like him and they're all riding bikes around the Salfrod Lad's Club on the dreariest of days. I guess that's what depressed, new wave teens in the 80's were hoping for. Video.



Probably one of the artsiest videos from one of the artisiest group of art kids ever. Number 7 belongs to Talking Heads - And She Was (1985). It looks mad cool and still a little creepy. It's a trip, that's the best way I can put it. But I'll embrace it. You should, too. Video.

6. Duran Duran - Girls On Film (1981)


Jim will give me shit for this - he knows how much I love the song. The video itself is great, too (I think better than "Hungry Like The Wolf"). Say what you will about Duran Duran and their heyday as MTV big shots, but they deserved it: this song is a smash. Big ups to sumo wrestlers. Video.

5. New Order - Blue Monday 88 (1988)


After Joy Divison's frontman, Ian Curtis, passed away, the remaining members formed New Order and set the standard for UK new wave synth. "Blue Monday" was originally a 7:29 minute song back in '83, but they up-ed the tempo and cranked out a flashy re-release in '88 that is a dance classic. Video.

4. Psychedelic Furs - Pretty In Pink (1986)


One of my favorite tunes from a film. And another re-release. The Furs were my favorite new wave band, before I got into others like The Smiths, The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, etc. Still, this is a great song that makes me jealous I didn't go to high school/fall in love in the 1980's. Video.

HERE WE GO, THE TOP 3:

3. Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer (1986)


Ex-Genesis lead singer did pretty well for himself after those wild 70's performances alongside Phil Collins and Co were over. This video is actually one of VH1's top picks for best video of the 80's and I'm sure it's won a VMA back in '86. Another artsy vid that uses stop animation, claymation, and all sorts of wild shit to make it to #3 on my list.


2. a-ha - Take On Me (1984)


What a cool video. The best use of sketching in any video ever. See kids, this is what will happen if you doodle all day in class: you'll come across something potentially great. Though they were technically a one-hit-wonder here in the States, a-ha's got a great rep in their native Norway and this song cemented them in music video history.


EXCITED? HERE'S NUMERO UNO...

1. Dire Straits - Money For Nothing (1985)


Look, we all hate our jobs. Unless you're a rock star. But this song and video illustrates that feeling perfectly. This song is the coincidental MTV music video ("I want my MTV". Well done, Sting). It's got some cool graphics (top of the line for '85) and the song itself has got the nastiest riff of the entire decade. It's glorious. Enjoy.


Happy Labor Day, everybody.

P.S. Piss off new MTV.

I want my "old" M-T-V back!!! You know, like the one that aired before I was even born.