Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You To Know

Back in 2007, Dinosaur Jr. re-united and recorded the album Beyond, which to my ears was a refreshing and welcome resurgence of early '90s rock (not unlike The Lemonheads comeback from the year before). It was like they had picked up pretty much where they left off and transported me back to my high school days. Still, apparently Lou Barlow wasn't completely happy with the album, and wanted to fully reclaim their roots. Now that their new album Farm is finished, he is describing it as "totally old school", and a lot more in line with their first three records (you know, before they signed to a major label). If this first track is any indication, I'd say he's right on the money. Farm will be released on Jagjaguwar Records on June 23rd.

» Pre-order it on Amazon

Phoenix - Lisztomania (Video)

I first heard Phoenix on the soundtrack for Sofia Coppola's Lost in Translation, which has gone on to become one of my favourite soundtracks of all time. They are a French band that formed in the late '90s with close ties to electronic bands Air and Daft Punk. Although they aren't an electronic band themselves, they do use synthesizers liberally in their dreamy pop/funk/rock blend. Their fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is almost upon us, and as seen in the video for "Lisztomania" it is at least partially themed around classical composers. The video was directed by Antoine Wagner. Look for the album in stores on May 26th.

The Boy Least Likely To - When Life Gives Me Lemons I Make Lemonade (Video)

UK indie pop outfit The Boy Least Likely To just released their sophomore album The Law of the Playground in the U.S. a couple weeks ago, but they've already made three (count 'em three!) videos from the album including this one for "When Life Gives Me Lemons I Make Lemonade". Directed by Jayne Vidheecharoen, it's hot off the presses and features the knitted bird from the cover of the album in an animated wonderland of sorts. (Interesting bit of trivia: The Office/Parks and Recreation star Rashida Jones appears in the video for their most well-known song "Be Gentle With Me".) Be sure to follow The Boy Himself on Twitter!

Passion Pit - The Reeling (Video)

I've been hearing the name Passion Pit for a while now, so with their first full-length album about to be released on French Kiss Records, I thought it was finally time to look them up. They're an electronic band out of Cambridge, MA, and if you ask me they have every chance of capturing the same audience as bands like Cut Copy and MGMT. The song "The Reeling" has an infectious danceability and the video takes the cut and paste aesthetic to cool new places. (Also don't miss their video for "Sleepyhead" off their debut EP Chunk of Change.) Manners hits stores on May 26th.

M83 - We Own the Sky (Video)

You may have seen a lot of fan-made videos floating around out there for M83's "We Own the Sky" lately. This is because they were holding a video contest, and the winner has finally been selected as of last week. The above video was created by a design group called Young Replicant, and it is now the official video for "We Own the Sky". Anthony Gonzalez (aka M83) had this to say: "I like the atmosphere of it cause it fits perfectly to the music and the lyrics. It's exactly what I had in mind when I wrote the song." If you still haven't heard the album Saturdays=Youth, well what are you waiting for? Definitely among the best of 2008.

Muzak for Cybernetics on Blip.FM

In my haphazard quest to find new avenues to share music online, I've recently joined Blip.FM, a service that is really taking off thanks to its ease of integration with Twitter. The basic idea is that you select songs from their extensive music database, and post them with a short message or description. You can build up a network of DJs and custom playlists of songs that you like.

I've embedded a widget in the sidebar so you can see my latest Blips, but the formatting is a little bit awkward. It's probably easier if you just look me up at blip.fm/muzak4cybernetics. If you're already on Blip.FM or if you're planning on joining in the near future, make sure you send me a message or add me as a favourite. Catch you on the BLIPside... err, nevermind.

The Breeders - Fate to Fatal (Video)

The Breeders are back this week with a new EP called Fate to Fatal, and a music video that features an all-female roller derby team! Very timely considering that Drew Barrymore has a movie coming out later this year about rollergirls. It sounds like your standard Breeders tune, although the EP does have a cover of a Bob Marley song on it apparently. The EP will be released digitally via iTunes and Amazon and on limited edition vinyl in indie record stores this Tuesday.

Yea Big + Kid Static - BOTS (Video)

I know it's all too predictable that a lot the hip-hop acts I seem to be most interested in are the ones that rap about robots and video games rather than guns and hoes, but well... that's just how it is. I'm still not even quite sure what the term "nerdcore" means, but I am guessing Yea Big + Kid Static would probably fit the bill. This new video is about as nerdy as it gets. The Future's Looking Grim is out now on Jib Door Records, and I can't wait to hear the rest of the tracks on this album.

Polysics - Shout Aloud! (Video)

Hey folks... after taking a bit of a hiatus to rethink what's going on with this site, I've decided I'm going to start posting music videos on here a lot more frequently. They are easier to post and -- ahem -- a lot more legal too. I'm not giving up on MP3s entirely but it seems like MP3 blogs in general are a dying breed, and I'm going to keep looking for new ways to share music that excites me. Anyway, in the meantime, enjoy the latest single from Tokyo's Polysics... a band who are even better with the visuals to accompany the music!