10 Ways to Stay Hip

Ooh, Friday the 13th. Time for scary electro jams, spooky Icelandic singer ladies, and...situation comedies!

10. Getting ready to go see "Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters" Mostly just being amused by the Chronicle’s baffled (yet admirably open-minded) review of the thing today.

9. The Glass – “Come Alive” (mp3) The NYC electro duo comes back with a more mainstream sound reminiscent of Tiga and fellow New Yorkers The Rapture. Grab an mp3 of it (and a cool DJ set from them) at Spinner here

8. Cover art for Bright Eyes Cassadaga, new album on Saddle Creek
Yes, fine, it’s Omaha’s finest singer-songwriter with a more “Americana” style album. Whatever. But duuude, check out this cover art, it’s all like black and white static, but you pull out the included magic view screen, and it turns into pictures of crazy stuff! How do they do that?

7. DJ Axel – Breakin’ the Law (self-released album)
LA’s Peter Axelrad has quietly become one of the most consistent mash-up producers out there, with flawless and crowd-pleasing DJ sets; this collection of tracks is augmented by brilliant, Sgt. Peppers-inspired cover art

6. Bjork – “Earth Intruders” (from the forthcoming album Volta, out May 7 on Atlantic)
This Timbaland-produced single underwhelmed me at first, but after a week of hearing it around town, it’s wormed its way into my brain. With its clompy drums and space-alien perspective, it’s oddly similar both sonically and lyrically to Bjork’s first solo single, “Human Behavior,” and almost equally charming

5. Klaxons – “Golden Skans” (from Myths of the Near Future on Geffen) (listen on their MySpace page)
Brits call this the “new rave,” or, God forbid, the “nu rave,” but this track is slightly more mellow than others on the London three-piece’s new full length, and showcases their real songwriting talents

4. Will Arnett on "30 Rock" (Last night, NBC)
Yeah. Touch the peacock. You’re a peacock.

3. Diplo - Mad Decent Podcast #13
The Philly DJ’s diverse tastes can sometimes make for awkward sets, but this hour-long mix for Australia’s Triple-J radio combines electro, hip-hop, Brazilian favela, and Baltimore beats into an eclectic celebration of great music

2. Nihon Restaurant, San Francisco

Despite loving their sister restaurant, Tsunami, over on Divis, I resisted trying Nihon, since high-end whiskey really isn’t my thing. But last night I got off work at like 10:30pm and I was starving, so I stumbled over to 14th and Folsom, walked right in and sat down at the bar, and proceeded to have the best Manhattan I’ve ever had, and then generous piles of top-notch sushi snacks, and not too pricey. Any after-10pm food in SF is something to cheer about; late-night eats this good are a life-saver

1. Queens of the Stone Age – “3s & 7s” (from the forthcoming album Era Vulgaris on Interscope, out early July I think?)
I probably shouldn’t even be writing about this. The Interscope peeps came in and played us this track from Josh Homme and co yesterday, and then took the CD back -- we can’t even have an advance of the thing yet, it’s so hot. But I can’t resist, because it’s so freakin’ awesome. Possibly one of their best singles ever, it’s instantly accessible, with the trademark screaming Queens riffs, and I ache -- ache! -- to hear it more