Lily Allen - Alfie

Alfie is the second single from her album and was written about her real-life little brother, Alfie. Instead of recruiting her little bro to play the part, Alfie features a foul-mouthed “twit” of a puppet that you can’t help but love. The music is fun and the story is entertaining, but I personally think the video is deranged and lacks commercialism. But, Allen does look damn cute in her signature empire-waist dress. How can you not love this girl!?

Polytechnic - Man Overboard

Haunted by the howling of backup vocals and the repetitive pulse of the piano, this new track from the UK band Polytechnic has been named NME’s track of the week. The popular UK music mag NME describes Man Overboard as “a hypnotic marching anthem for dreamers on woozy prescription pills.”

With their album dropping in UK stores today, the Polytechnics' new track sounds a bit like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah with a raging hangover. According to Stockard Channing of Stereogum, “the first time we bumped into Manchester's Polytechnic, we just couldn't get over just how much Clap Your Hands Say Yeah came through in the band's sound. It wasn't just in the nasal, Alec affectations; it was in the use of bass as melody mover, the simple, snare and closed-hat indie beats.”

Regardless of the song's inspiration, this video is beautifully traumatic and we love the dapper sparrow. With the urban sprawl devastating the half-man-half-bird's very being, the ink-on-paper animation style is as gritty as it is mesmerizing.

House of the Rising Sun

The first song since 1962 by a British band to hit #1 in America that was not written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, this soulful ballad has been covered by major recording artists for at least four decades. About a brothel in New Orleans, "The House Of The Rising Sun" seems much darker than these men in matching suits appear to represent.

With generations passing since this song was recorded by The Animals, its word have become timeless and its melody is still haunting. The who-sang-it and where-are-they-now was never relevant in my mind. I had formulated my own perception of its origin: desert cowboys passing along stories and the long and torture road, the sun beating down on them as they ride into the horizon. Or maybe a band of men tainted by the inner city street, with dark secrets and tainted smiles.

The power of YouTube has put a face to the voice that haunts me and added a context to the song that defined a generation. I am not sure if this newly discovered knowledge was an informed remedy for my disillusions or an unwanted end to my imagination.

Windy Miller Oats

Willy, the claymation character from the British TV series Camberwick Green, has viewers "choking on their breakfasts," in the TV commercial for Oatso Simple porridge.


I had to watch this one a few times to realize that the farce revolves entirely around a crazy naked uncle. Much like the opening to the second Austin Powers movie, the creators of this "natural" oatmeal ad had to find creative ways to cover his private parts.

It is hard to tell if there is any real "flashing" involved, though The Mirror claims that "Windy accidentally revealed Guber's big secret when he moved a bowl from the microwave." There's definitely an extra piece of Plasticine in his nether regions," said one viewer. Quaker Oats, who made the advert, said there have been no official complaints so far.

One Night Stand

This video adds an unexpected twist on the common "what did I do last night?" crawling out of bed scenerio.



I swear, nothing makes me more uncomfortable than seeing a man coming to terms with his own mistakes. There is no happy ending or needless reality in this video clip.

It is just a small glimpse into denial. It's the moment you wake up and realize that the life you are living is so unfamiliar to you that you just need to pick up your pants and run away.

If this bloke looks somewhat familiar, you may have realized that he is Brit. actor Nick Frost. A friend and frequent co-star of Simon Pegg, Frost appeared as his on-screen best friend in my favorite film to be released in the past three years, Shaun of the Dead. The zany zombie feature is comedic genius. I highly recommend that anyone who hasn't seen it should go to the nearest video store or move it up to the top of your Netflick’s list.

Hugging My Grudge

I’m impressed with Boy Least Likely To for a number of reasons. Primarily because their videos rock my world.



The English indy rock band also self-produced, self-mixed and self-promoted debut album The Best Party Ever. A success in England, the album was released in the United States in late spring, following their tour opening for James Blunt.

According to musicOMH.com, “If there was an advert for how to achieve homespun success in the music business in 2006, The Boy Least Likely To are it.”

After reading various articles on the band, I would have to agree. But also mention that their videos, are an advert for their already promising career. Having never heard of the band, I found the video title "Hugging My Grudge" on YouTube and instantly went looking for more info on the colorful British duo.

“It's really important for us to have a good video” said singer and lyricist Jof Owen. “We'd rather be known for our videos and record sleeves and things like that than for our live show."

If you like this happy-go-lucky music video, check out I’m Glad I Hitch my Apple Wagon to your Star which features Playmobiles and flowers.