This might just be my favorite-ever installment of “The VDub Sessions.”

For one thing, you’ve got Tulsa’s strongest male singer, and for another, you’ve got him covering one of the GOATs (greatest of all-time). What more do you need? Here’s Ben Kilgore singing Otis Redding’s immortal “These Arms of Mine”:



Y’know, this kinda begs the question: Do you prefer Mr. Kilgore’s earnest-to-goodness Redding cover to Kanye West and Jay-Z’s recent tribute-sample track, “Otis”? I certainly do. But you decide for yourself.

I can’t think of a more tired concept for a hip-hop music video than a couple of pop stars riding around in an expensive car with a handful of models. But somehow, director Spike Jonze does exactly that and winds up with a classic. He’s come a long way since getting high in high school.

For starters, ’Ye and Jigga strip down a Maybach to look more like a luxury Jeep Wrangler, and then they start playing with fire. Literally. Watch for yourself. And keep an eye out for a brief Tom Haverford cameo. I wonder if they shot it in the City of Pawnee?



Anyhoo, expect a review of “Watch the Throne” early next week. And for more Otis Redding-related videos, check out yesterday’s video of Ben Kilgore covering “These Arms of Mine” for “The VDub Sessions.”

With the blogosphere erupting over the Kanye West/Jay-Z joint (do we call them “albums” anymore?), Kid Cudi couldn’t have picked a worse time to release his video for “No One Believes Me.”

Actually, it’s not his fault: It’s the “official” music vid for DreamWorks’ remake of “Fright Night,” which opens Friday. I’m under one of those dreaded review embargoes, so I can’t tell you until Friday whether I think the Colin Farrell/Anton Yelchin starrer falls short of the 1985 horror-comedy classic; or whether I think its 3-D effects are needless; or whether I think Imogen Poots (despite her flatulent name) is way, way, way hotter than Amanda Bearse.

In the meantime, Kid Cudi! As with the film, the lushly orchestrated clip is directed by Craig Gillespie (“Lars and the Real Girl”) and looks to take place on the same set. Its dark tone is right in line with the picture, and it’s nice to see what it essentially “just” a tie-in have merit on its own. —Rod Lott

It’s been a slow couple of months for interesting new music from established acts, be they indie or mainstream. Other than Kanye and Jay-Z’s epic collaboration on “Watch the Throne,” we haven’t heard much from the usual suspects.

But that’s not to say times are tough! Plenty of great music is streaming and downloadable right now, both from up-and-coming indie acts and locals. Here are my picks for the week.

Thundercat made himself known to indie audiences when he guested on Flying Lotus’ excellent “Cosmogramma” last year. FlyLo reciprocated by producing his debut LP, “The Golden Age of Apocalypse.” Stream it over at Hype Machine.  

Tulsa and Enid have combined to give us Good Morning Grizzly, a pretty, pop-rock project that put this first big track up for download. It’s called “Stars and Satellites,” and you can snag it at the band's Bandcamp page.

Hazy, Swedish, mix ’n’ mash duo jj have a new track up for download at Gorilla Vs. Bear. The lengthily named “You Don’t Know How Much It Would Hurt Me If You Said You Were in Love with Me,” it’s certainly creepier and sexier than anything they’ve previously recorded.

GVB is also streaming this new track from Twin Sister, who recorded one of the best songs we heard last year in “All Around and Away We Go.” Give ’em both a listen.

Okie Chase Kerby (The City Lives) is getting back into the pop-rock game with Defining Times. Their debut EP was up for free download earlier in the week, but now it’ll set you back $5. I call that money well-spent.

Peter Bjorn and John stopped by KEXP’s studios in Seattle to play a couple of tracks off their latest record, “Gimme Some.” Watch “Breaker, Breaker” (complete with cowbell!) below.



Ho, boy. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Much like the sneak peek at the single they set loose a little early a few weeks ago, New York dance-punk gods The Rapture streamed an in-studio listening party for their new album, “In the Grace of Your Love.” You might recall me blowing my top over “How Deep Is Your Love” a few weeks ago. This stream has amplified my anticipation for the album a dozenfold.



Oklahoma City rapper and good guy Jabee put out a remix to the track “Beautiful Day” off his “Lucky Me” mixtape. Give ’er the ol’ download and listen.

Also, Stephen Malkmus recently played a set of his new material at Amoeba Music in Hollywood. There, he also announced the winner of his blowjob contest. I promise it’s not as gross as you think.  



About a week ago, we heard a titillating tweet from James Blake promising a mysterious Bon Iver collab. It is now here and it is glorious.

Well, this is exciting. Kanye and Jay-Z played their new hit together at the VMAs, and, despite apparently not rehearsing, they totally rocked an arena full of cheering fans (save for a certain Biebster who did not appear impressed). I think I speak for the planet when I say that it needs a “Watch the Throne” tour.

Big success across time periods here. Swedish act Peter Bjorn and John’s cover of “Try a Little Tenderness” somehow makes me think that Otis Redding’s being covered by an energetic, ’50s doo-wop singer like Frankie Valli, but one with solid guitar chops. And nice dance moves to boot.

I think Peter Morén summed it up best, however, before the performance: “There’s a lot of emotion, y’know?”



And it looks like The A.V. Club readers rightfully decided to reward the band for commendably performing such an intimidating song. They’re right up there near the top, just behind They Might Be Giants’ unforgettable, office-assisted version of Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping.”