Uzi and Ari | “Mountain/Molehill”

It seems as if I rarely have time to sit down and watch music videos anymore. My 12-year-old self would gasp with incredulity.

I had an amazing day today, cycling out to the Beach with one of my oldest friends in the world. We’re both in our 30s now, and spending an entire afternoon cycling around and chatting about life on the beach reminds me once again what’s most important in life.

But I still can’t skip a rock. Huh.

Anyway, I like the mood of this song. It makes me want to gobble up the world and never let go.

Gentleman Reg | “Over My Head”

Of all the Canadian indie rockers living in Toronto, it’s Gentleman Reg that I see the most. Not only is he quite distinctive-looking, but he seems to be out and about everywhere I go, at shows, cafés, record stores. Can’t I just be left alone?!

Here’s one of his videos for his cute-popsy from 2007.

Gentleman Reg – Official site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Buy

Woodhands | “I Wasn’t Made for Fighting”

I have a friend who complains that dance-rock has finished its run. I don’t know. If Woodhands can extend the era into this new year, I wouldn’t have any issues with that at all.

Woodhands – MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Islands | “Creeper”

Sometimes it takes a few years before a band hits me the right way. I was a big fan of The Unicorns, so when they gasped their last breath in late 2004, I played the scorned lover and erased everything about them from my memory. I even foolishly discounted Nick Thorburn’s next project, Islands.

It’s too bad because I feel like I’ve missed out on a couple of years of fun, including this keeper from 2008’s Arm’s Way.

Islands – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

The Raveonettes | “The Christmas Song”

Two weeks, and Christmas will be in our laps. However, I heard my first in-store Christmas song in mid-November and I’m almost over it.

Now, if all festive songs sounded like this one by the Raveonettes, I may be inclined to change my mind.

Lykke Li + Bon Iver | “Dance Dance Dance”

What I would’ve given to come across this impromptu jam session in L.A.

Lykke Li – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Bon Iver – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Fleet Foxes | “White Winter Hymnal”

This is my first proper winter back in Toronto. I wasn’t sure how I’d handle it all, given that I’ve either been in tropical countries or out in relatively balmy Vancouver for the past few years.

So far, the weather has been not that bad, really, with periodic snowfalls that have barely lasted a day. Today, I woke up to a beautiful landscape of flurries and then went out to play in it. A little over half an hour, I was surprised to feel a perma-smile on my face.

Am I romanticizing this weather too much? When will I get tired of this and purchase my one-way ticket to Cuba?

Constantines | “Credit River”

Well, how appropriate. Even indie bands are getting all messed up in this WORLD-ENDING! ECONOMIC! CRISIS!

And looks like I’m feeding into it, too.

Constantines – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Zunior

Franz Ferdinand | “Take Me Out”

The one thing I noticed about Franz Ferdinand is their taste for good shoes. For this alone, I may be inclined to loiter around the Bathurst/Bloor area just for a cursory looksie at their tootsies and gawk at the line-up that will surely snake down the street.

Franz Ferdinand plays the sold-out gig at Lee’s Palace tonight and a private show tomorrow at the Masonic Temple. Tickets for the latter can only be won through 102.1 The Edge. New album comes out in 2009, after a 4-year studio hiatus.

Franz Ferdinand – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Arcade Fire | “Neon Bible”

La Blogotheque consistently blows me away, turning songs I think are so-so into vivid pieces like this one. This is one elevator I wouldn’t mind being trapped in.

Also, am I the only one who hopes that guy doesn’t run out of magazine pages?

Arcade Fire – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Human Highway | “The Sound”

It’s a cutesie video, I suppose, but the song itself holds my attention infinitely more. Team cocktail by Jim Guthrie and Nick Thorburn of the Islands.

Human Highway has a CD release party and performance on December 16 in the Tranzac Main Hall. Tickets available from Tranzac, Soundscapes, Rotate This, and PopMontreal.

Human Highway – Myspace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

We Are Wolves | “Psychic Kids”

Before I actually went to university, this is what I thought my life would be like.

We Are Wolves – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

Said the Whale | “Curse of the Current”

It’s been almost nine months since I left Vancouver. But now that CBC Radio 3 is playing this Said the Whale song for what seems like 92 times a day, on loop, it’s forced me to think of it over and over and over again. I’m getting a little verklempt over here, guys. Stop it, or I may have to curse the current of radio overkill.

The video here is a little slow, but if you have any ties to that rainy west coast city, it may make you all moody and verklempt, too.

Said the Whale – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm

Matt and Kim | “Daylight”

I’m seeking a new replacement hobby for my leisure time (putting photography on the back burner); so far, the most thrilling idea is returning to my first love… video. (GASP.)

I just saw the effervescent Matt and Kim at the Whippersnapper last night. Their new clip here bleeds the juice I want to shoot down my gullet and spew back out at the world. The best execution comes around the 2:10 mark.

Matt and Kim – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon

RJD2 | “Work It Out”

Just got back from my trip to NYC, and I’m already pining to be back. I snuggled up close and became intimate with parts of Brooklyn this time around, so I figured I should showcase one of my favourite videos shot in the best borough.

I can’t take my eyes off of this video. Simple idea, filmmaking, and incredible choreography. Addicting.

RJD2 – Official Site | MySpace | Wikipedia | Last.fm | Amazon