Flaming Lips are cooler than Radiohead. See below for proof:

Who needs a film of Neuromancer, when we’ve got this music video by Sigue Sigue Sputnik (who knew Japan was cool before many of you were born, I suspect…)

Bonus video: ’21st Century Boy’

Boing Boing notes that Japanese artist Nagi Noda, who directed the video for Yuki’s ‘Sentimental Journey’ (embedded below) died earlier this week. Noda apparently suffered ongoing complications from a car accident some time ago, but it’s not clear whether the accident was ultimately responsible for her demise.

This is probably nothing to get your feathers ruffled, but I wonder why Sonic Youth’s one-record deal with Matador specifically excludes Japan from distribution. I’m sure there are probably really banal business reasons why Matador wont cover Japan, but I’m curious nontheless.

Actually, this is just an elaborate means for me to post that there is in fact a new Sonic Youth album coming out. Booyah!

After a two-decade stint with Geffen Records, Sonic Youth has signed a new deal with indie label Matador Records.

The veteran rock act’s label debut is due next year. The one-album deal is worldwide except for Japan.

“They have a tremendous amount to do with why I’m actually involved in this stuff,” said Matador co-owner Gerard Cosloy, who previously worked with the band in the 1980s at Homestead Records. “The number of bands on Matador who they’ve made an indelible impact on, both musically and personally, is a pretty long list.”

Perky asian female singers aren’t really my bag (well, unless you count Puffy Ami Yumi) - but I was pleased to hear that South Korean pop star BoA will be releasing her new album (which apparently remains untitled) in the U.S. The recording, which will contain her new single ‘Eat You Up’, will launch on iTunes on October 7th and in stores on October 17th.

Say, anyone remember when Britney Spears and BoA appeared together on that Korean T.V. special…? I do! And so does YouTube. The whole thing was a bit unnerving and contrived, which pretty much sums up Britney Spears as a whole…

Man, what a week. The only way to cap this fucker off is to dump a load of batshit crazy Japanese music videos onto this blog. The best part is, my speakers don’t work right now, so I’m doing this all based on what the videos look like. Which is probably for the best. Enjoy!

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Not much to this, but damn if I’m not looking forward to hearing the new Dir En Grey album. You can find out more at their official site.

Oh, and while I’m at it (and because the above is not a proper video), here’s the uncensored version of ‘Obscure’ (probably NSFW depending on how lame your co-workers / boss might be…) Read the rest of this entry »

Press release follows:

VIZ PICTURES ANNOUNCES DVD RELEASE OF ROCK AND ROLL ROMANTIC DRAMA NANA 2

DVD Release And Special Poster Promotion Highlight Sequel To Hit Film NANA Based On Popular Shojo Manga Series

San Francisco, CA, JULY 22, 2008 – VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the release of NANA 2, the feature film sequel to the popular rock and roll drama NANA, which is based on Ai Yazawa’s best-selling manga (graphic novel) series. NANA 2 debuts on DVD on July 29, with an estimated retail price of $24.98.

In support of the release, VIZ Pictures is holding a special NANA 2 poster giveaway promotion. Fans are encouraged to visit the film’s dedicated official website at http://www.nanathemovies.com and enter the contest before August 20 for a chance to win a full-color poster featuring the cast of the film. Ten random winners will be selected.

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Just one of those oddities I came across while trolling YouTube at 3am…it’s a clip of alt-rocker Matthew Sweet decked out in a Captain Harlock t-shirt performing ‘Girlfriend’ on David Letterman about 2 decades ago. Man, were the early 90’s that long ago? I feel old all of a sudden. Anyway, it’s worth watching just to see proto-punk guitarist Robert Quine (R.I.P.) laying down some fierce lead guitar.

While I’m at it, here’s the original video, which cribs copious amounts of footage from the anime Cobra. Also very cool…

Normally these home-made music videos don’t do much for me, but I thought this was particularly well done.