Sharon Van Etten, "Serpents" (Live on Sound Opinions)

Featuring Zeke Hutchins of Hotel Lights on drums!

Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Despair"

To mark their appearance tonight at Great GoogaMooga, I'm thrilled to present another stellar offering from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' latest album, Mosquito. After a few listens, I think this is the early frontrunner for my favorite song on the album. Can't wait to hear it live. Enjoy. Or despair. Or enjoy despairingly!

Talib Kweli f. Kendrick Lamar and Curren$y, "Push Thru"

Major catch-up day... get ready, y'all.

Santigold, "Shove It"

Talib Kweli f. Mary J. Blige, "I Try"

Grizzly Bear, "Yet Again"

For today...

Jay-Z, "Encore"

As an intro, check out this great recap of Jay-Z's opening night concert at the Barclays, by Hua Hsu. 

TV on the Radio, "Staring at the Sun"

Yeasayer, "Ambling Alp"

A reference to the 6'-6" Italian (controversial) world heavyweight boxing champion...

TV on the Radio, "DLZ" (Live at SXSW)

This is beginning to feel

Like the long-winded blues of the never

This is beginning to feel

Like it's curling up slowly and finding a throat to choke

From Dear Science...performed here at South by Southwest '11.  The album version is embedded below.

OPEN REQUEST SUNDAY: Tanlines, "All of Me"

Thanks to Jessica for a breath of fresh air on Tuna Day.  You know what they say... a little clapping never leaves anyone unhappy.  At least they should say that.  I love the little dance hops and the waddling by the bleak folks under fluorescent lights.  Also, bonus points for recommending a Brooklyn band.  Enjoy!

BEASTIES WEEK BONUS! Beastie Boys f. Santigold, "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win"

As we all should know by now, the Beastie Boys cannot be contained--least of all by something as arbitrary as "a week."  We'll close our Tuna Day tribute in epic fashion, with the Beasties' bizarre and awesome mini action movie.  Explosions? Check.  Bazookas? Check.  Yeti? Check.  Zombies? Check.  A water-skiing Santigold? Obviously.  The video was written by Adam Yauch (MCA) and directed by Spike Jonze.



Speaking of Santigold, see her thoughts on the passing of MCA here.

Thanks to the Beastie Boys for providing the soundtrack for our week (and beyond), and thanks to Adam Yauch for the inspiration, for keeping it real, and for keeping us young.

Beastie Boys, "Hold It Now, Hit It"

Going back to some very young Licensed to Ill-era Beasties.  Welcome to... Carnivale?  This is a riot.  Enjoy.

Beastie Boys, "Intergalactic"

As much as I hate to admit, after hearing their famous tracks from Licensed to Ill, I dismissed the Beastie Boys for the rest of my childhood as nothing more than party rock.  It wasn't until my brother bought Hello Nasty--their FIFTH album, by the way--that I caught a glimpse of what I'd missed.  Thank you, Wade.  And Happy Birthday!

Beastie Boys, "Three MC's and One DJ"

UPDATE: A few more links from the last few days... 

Hua Hsu at Grantland 

?uestlove remembers the Beasties

"MCA's Feminist Legacy," by Jessica Valenti at The Nation.

Beastie Boys, "Sure Shot"

Because they've got mad hits like Rod Carew.  Also, because they did a great interview with Terry Gross on Fresh Air in 2006... which has nothing to do with "Sure Shot" (well, it might be excerpted in the interview), but is excellent nonetheless.  Enjoy.

Beastie Boys, "Sabotage"

One of Maura's favorites, from Ill Communication... she did a mean karaoke tribute Saturday night at Montero's. Classic video by Spike Jonze. Enjoy! 

UPDATE: If you have time, check out these pieces on Adam Yauch's passing from around the web:

"MCA, Kid Forever: How the Beastie Boys United Us by Never Growing Up," by Jack Hamilton at The Atlantic

Obituary from The New York Times

Tribute by Amos Barshad at Grantland, who became a fan when Hello Nasty was released

"An Indie Impresario, Who Made His Mark Fast and Memorably," by Manohla Dargis at The New York Times (about his recent cannonball into the world of independent film)

Beastie Boys, "No Sleep Till Brooklyn"

UPDATE: If you haven't yet, make sure to read Sasha Frere-Jones' excellent tribute at The New Yorker today.

Beastie Boys, "Pass the Mic"

Rest in Peace, MCA.  All regularly scheduled Tuna Day programming will be postponed to make space for Beastie Boys week.  Enjoy.

The Antlers, "Every Night My Teeth Are Falling Out"

From last year's Burst Apart...