Dude, how good is Robin Thicke? I once said something along the lines of “as good as Songs in the Key of Life” when referring to his sophomore album, The Evolution of Robin Thicke. I did. And I’d say it again. I just did. Anyway, this new track sort of makes me feel better for saying that (twice). Everything about this song is so Stevie. So good. Thicke’s got some moves, too.

Something Else is tentatively due September 9 on Interscope.

Artist: Santogold & Diplo
Track: “Guns of Brooklyn (Doc and Jon Hill Dub)”
Album: Top Ranking

If you really like the pants you’re wearing right now, do not listen to this new track off of Santogold and Diplo’s new mixtape, Top Ranking (you know, cause you will piss yourself). “Guns Of Brooklyn (Doc and Jon Hill Dub)” is, obviously, a cover of the Clash classic “Guns of Brixton.” The mixtape, on Mad Decent, is available at Turntable Lab For $12. Fader posted up a free download of the track, here. Goodies!

Download: “Guns Of Brooklyn (Doc and Jon Hill Dub)” by Santogold & Diplo

Following the release of their new album, End Titles…Stories for Film, U.N.K.L.E. are now offering a free download of their new version of the X Files theme. The theme will be featured in The X Files: I Want to Believe (out July 25) during the end credits, but is not on the new album. You can stream it, here. Download link below. Basically, it’s awesome. Not that I am very, very excited for this movie…cause only dorks like X Files.

I’m way ahead of you, Scully.

Download: “02 X Files” by U.N.K.L.E.

Top 10 things I would do if I were as cool as Pharrell Williams: #1 - start a really badass band and record really badass albums and make really badass videos and wear really badass clothes and just be an all-around BAD ASS.

Anyway, the new N.E.R.D. video for “Spaz,” the second single off of Seeing Sounds (an album that poproks, a lot), is above.

Sigh.

Eh, R.E.M. have always been pretty good at the video thing, even when they were making mediocre mid-career sleepers (”Bad Day,” anyone? I actually really like this song anyways). Can’t go wrong with animation and political statements right now.

Nas announced a North American Tour today to coincide with the release of his “untitled” album, and will also be bringing along Talib Kweli, Green Lantern and Jay Electronica.

Tell ‘em Nas made you do it.

July 22, 2008 - Montréal, QC @ Metropolis
July 24, 2008 - S. Burlington, VT@ Higher Ground
July 25, 2008 - New Haven, CT Toad’s Place Metropolis
July 26, 2008-Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center
July 27, 2008- Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion
July 29, 2008- Charlotte, NC @ Amo’s South End
July 30, 2008- Charleston, SC @ Music Farm
July 31, 2008- Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
Aug 1, 2008- New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
Aug 2, 2008- West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheater
Aug 3, 2008- Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Aug 8, 2008- Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
Aug 9, 2008- Devore, CA @ Glen Helen Pavilion
Aug 10, 2008- San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
Aug 16, 2008- Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
Aug 22, 2008- Park City, UT @ Harry O’s
Aug 23, 2008 - Englewood, CO @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
Aug 24, 2008 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom
Aug 25, 2008 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Aug 26, 2008 - Austin, TX @ Stubbs Ampitheatre
Aug 28, 2008 - Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Aug 29, 2008 - Detroit, MI @ Chene Park
Aug 30, 2008 - Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club
Aug 31, 2008 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Sep 1, 2008 - Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Sep 3, 2008 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Sep 4, 2008 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Sep 5, 2008- Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

I’ll take a lifetime supply of those.

U.N.K.L.E. End Titles…Stories for Film
Despite rumors (and a formal announcement) that U.N.K.L.E. was splitting ways (really, only Richard File was leaving the band), they’re releasing their fourth album. Four tracks are available for free download: Here, here, here, and here.

David Banner The Greatest Story Ever Told
The mega hip hop producer’s 5th album, features appearances by Lil Wayne, Akon, Snoop Dogg, UGK, and Chris Brown.

The Hold Steady Stay Positive
Super pop rock that’s so oddly recognizable, so catchy, so effin’ good, that it’s hard for pretty much anyone not to love it. The band’s follow-up to their 2006 breakthrough has been released to rave reviews by everyone, with reason.

Nas Nas
Dirty Nas keeps us all on our toes, to say the very least. “Hero” is one of my favorite tracks of the year, and no matter what the CD called, he’s unbeatable ya’ll.

Check out a complete list of releases for tomorrow at Newmusictipsheet.com and Largehearted Boy.

So, here is that Radiohead video that did not use any cameras or lights for filming. The video, if I understand this correctly, was “captured” using laser technologies that record the relative size and shape of things, and then that data is put together with computer visualizations of what the lasers captured. If you don’t understand that (I mean, I don’t understand what I just said), try this ‘making of.’ Only another contribution by the most innovative and interesting pop band in the entire world (ever).

Oh, and the song is not so bad either.

Radiohead. Man, oh man.

More Modern Guilt for you. Cause who doesn’t have guilt now-a-days?

Beck tour dates below…(first leg only, we hope. Where are the New York dates?!)

August 21 - Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
August 22 - San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands Festival
August 24 - Bend, OR @ Les Schwab Amphiteater
August 30 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Festival
September 19 - San Diego, CA @ Street Scene Festival
September 20 - Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
September 22 - Phoenix, AZ @ Dodge Theater
September 23 - Albuquerque, NM @ Kiva Auditorium
September 25 - El Paso, TX @ Abraham Chavez Theatre
September 27 - Austin, TX @ Zilker Park, Austin City Limits Festival
September 29 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theatre
September 30 - Minneapolis, MN @ Wilkins Auditorium
October 2 - Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom
October 3 - Chicago, IL @ Aragon Ballroom