Okay radio-land folks, there is this little thing called a Princeton “thesis” and it has been driving me crazy-busy. I’m locked up painting all day and trying to make sure I know what “music” is. So I resolve to finish my thesis and be a good blogger for the rest of the year. No reviews today, but a whole bunch of radical links, legal downloads, and music news that will blow your mind (after the jump).

• Muxtapes are the new craze. It is mixtapes you can send to anyone, and anyone can see, its mixtapes 2.0. And I’m so feeling the *idea* of it. I loved WPRB’s mixtape exchange a few years ago I helped orchestrate, and feel we should do something similar again! I’m unsure about the legality of this, though Stereogum seems to believe it will be fine, as do others…. so use at your own risk. Though if curious, definitely check it out soon, as muxtape’s days and it’s enthusiasts may be few as it blows up all over the internet (and therefore the questionable-legal radar). [muxtape.com]
• To throw it back a little bit, Bjork upset Chinese nationals a while ago with her song “Declare Independence” (which seems half emotionally motivated but also very reminiscent of Iceland’s struggle with Denmark). However, at the end of the song she screamed into it TIBET TIBET after the chorus saying to declare independence… [Oh, Bjork.]
• This THEN lead to one of the funniest combinations of my fathers and my music tastes ever (perhaps the only one??). Bjork’s musical outcry upset the Chinese government, and especially with the upcoming Olympics performances they wanted to make sure nothing like this would happen again. Harry Connick Jr. was the next big international import to play a concert in China- they demanded his set list and he gave them an old list. When he tried to play other songs they objected, leading him to ditch his backing band and play an acoustic/piano set by himself of all the old hits. My dad was pleased to hear this news as he likes “the old stuff,” I was unpleased because what is with musical censorship over someone else’s outburst?? [Harry Connick Jr. bites the bullet]
• [Almost] Best New Video:Which leads me to the most relevant and interesting news, Bjork just made an unbelievable looking music video with Encyclopedia Pictura. It is for Wanderlust, which is a song that has grown and ungrown on me many times. But I feel the music really solidifies the danger and freedom she presents through her words- further proving that she has an unbelievable artistic vision you can’t not be blown away by. It’s a little slow when you watch it in non-3d, (though I can’t wait to see those water waves in 3d!!) but still visually unbelievable. How do I SEE THIS?!?!?!However, there is a really nice high quality video on their site [here] [NY Times article/making the video feature here]
• Oh yeah, and there is a great new Bjork cover album out with tons of your favorite bands…. [Review! Hype! Go!]
• Radiohead had a remix contest, and one of my favorite new bands is winning!!! Woohoo. It is pretty awesome that they can rock out with a sort of dance-beat hidden underneath all of that rock and still hold onto some kind of pop-aesthetic with these remixes. [Holy F*** remixes Radiohead, check out the MIA remix too]
• That unbelievable Phillipine sensation coming out of their public prison system (you undoubtedly saw the Thriller coordinated dance…. I hope I hope!) Anyway, their most recent attempt is SOULJA BOY. Those who are “in the know” some of us at WPRB love Soulja Boy. So [enjoy!]
• Speaking of some crazy hip hop. Lil Wayne has a more than special place in my heart. But certainly not in the sack. He is doing condom ads, and despite the ambiguous message about homosexual sex, I sort of couldn’t not laugh. And thinking about being Lil Wayne in this picture, I would also hope this strange modern cowboy would wrap it up too. The distinctly modern ad even sports a red AIDS ribbon. [Strapped 4 Life]
• Paper Planes, the Holy F remix is pretty great, but this Sri Lankan takes MIA’s beats and makes his own song, and it is distinctly the catchiest thing I’ve heard in a few weeks. [Paper Planes/Tengazako]
• Legal Download: The Dodo’s blew my mind away last night with a high energy performance and one of the most attractive moustache’s I’ve ever seen. They were #5 on WPRB last week, and here Stereogum has a sneak peek of already new material. Horrrayy! [Ashley]
• Since I am being really Iceland heavy- Sigur Ros’s Icelandic tour documentary, Heima was on the Youtube main page in its hour and a half entirety for like a week, now it looks like it is not there…. It was some Youtube/Sigur Ros partnership, but I guess it was only for a little while so it made you want to buy the big box set dvd…. I wanted to watch it and bookmarked it for my WPRB blog but it says the video is now set to “private.” If anyone finds the link to this send it to us!!!
• Best New Video: My favorite video music blog and my favorite recent album release. Woohooo!! The folks over at La Blogotheque were not convinced by Yeasayer’s music (shocking I know, on the other hand I can’t wait to see them live) but left their “Take away concert” completely in love with Yeasayer after what appears to be a cosmic and unbelievable rendition of 2080 and much hippie group singing, bottle breaking, and love. [The second video is the key here.]
• I was revisiting one of my favorite Youtube videos with a friend [deaf porformance group does the most beautiful coordinated dance you will ever see] and someone said “oh wait, MIA totally ripped that off.” Deliberate or not, her music video tried to make this delicate style of dance into some trippy ethno-popculture. I’m not sure if I dig it, it came out last summer, but felt the need to share the original video anyway. [Check out MIA's "Jimmy" video here.]
• Legal Downloads: RCRDLBL seems to be causing a commotion week after week and getting better and better music. (Congrats!!) So you don’t have to sift through all of it, here are the highlights you shouldnt miss. [Not just one, or two... but THREE new Constantines songs off their upcoming album "Kensington Heights"...] [White Denim blew my eardrums out a few months ago and I'm still recovering, hear this!] [Master What? Oh, MSTRKRFT.... yes yes yes!!] [I'm seeing the Dirty Projector's tomorrow and will review it on tuesday, but here is a new song for everyone!] [And oh, some new Ladytron for good measure]
• The Chicago Sun-Times leaked the Lollapalooza headliners. [Oh Jim DeRogatis aren't you special?]
• The Tribeca Film Festival has films… and music apparently. Who will be playing? Regina Specktor, Sondre Leche, The Hold Steady… and some guy from Nickel Creek? [Among others....]
• Retro throwback: Junior Senior “Can I get get get”- most feel good music video ever. I forgot how much I was addicted to them and their ridiculous music videos a few years ago… and was recently e-mailed this sweet video to me by a new friend. Color me smitten. Check out JD from Le Tigre and Peaches on roller skates!! [Can I get get get to know know know know you better baby?]
• Oh and last but not least: Grizzly Bear is opening for Radiohead this summer?! Woah. I hope some frat kids getting trashed know what they are in for. But congrats to a band that couldn’t be more worthy of some mainstream buzz from a tried and true band. [Yeah yeah Pitchfork broke this story...]