As if I needed another reason to be jealous of English culture, the super-rad title sequence for the BBC’s forthcoming coverage of the 2008 Olympics – created by the men behind Gorillaz, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett – has appeared online. The two-minute animated clip features three characters (Monkey, Pigsy, & Sandy) from the duo’s recently-opened opera, Monkey: Journey To The West, who are serving as the faces of BBC Olympics coverage.

Don’t get me wrong - the five Fuwa are plenty adorable as far as Olympic Mascots go (my fave is Huanhuan!), but I’d definitely put my money on the outnumbered, monster-battling Monkey trio if the toon groups ever fought each other! Check out the clip below along with two tracks from Monkey: Journey To The West!

MP3s:
Monkey - “Heavenly Peach Banquet”
Monkey - “I Love Buddha”

VIDEO:

As previously discussed, Gnarls Barkley have added an ace cover of Radiohead’s “Reckoner” to their recent setlists. Thankfully, better video and audio of the duo doing the In Rainbows track have emerged and from the looks of it, Cee-Lo’s got Thom Yorke’s flailing dance moves mastered.

MP3:
Gnarls Barkley - “Reckoner (Radiohead cover)” (Live in Barcelona/7.20.08)

VIDEO:

PREVIOUSLY:
Gnarls Barkley Covers Radiohead’s “Reckoner”

Is it just me or has 2008 been a particularly great year for returning the music video to an art form? Certainly not for the quasi-squeamish (or those with a California Raisins phobia), Gnarl’s Barkley’s new video was directed by the super-talented Chris Milk and is yet another must-see clip featuring Friday Night Lights‘ Aasha Davis, Lonely Island/SNL scribe Jorma Taccone, and a bloody, beating heart serenading broccoli. Although, it’s hard to imagine anyone breaking-up with Jorma…he’s a triple-threat of writing, dancing, and rapping!

VIDEO:

PREVIOUSLY:
Gnarls Barkley Covers Radiohead’s “Reckoner”
New Gnarls Barkley Video - “Going On”

Feist is set to guest-star on the 39th season premiere of Sesame Street on August 11th, where she’ll sing a re-worked version of her hit song/iPod jingle “1234.” Along with Pancake Mountain and
Yo Gabba Gabba!, it seems like kiddos have more TV options for getting an indie fix than adults! Anyhoo, check out the clip and song below!

MP3:
Feist - “1234 (Sesame Street Version)”

VIDEO:

If you dug Max Vernon’s doo wop/jazz cover of Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl” (and how could you not?), you’ll want to watch Vernon engage in some Benny Hill-style girl chasin’ in the ace music video he put together to accompany the song. Check it out below!

VIDEO:

PREVIOUSLY:
Max Vernon Covers Katy Perry’s “I Kissed A Girl”