Fresh off the deluxe digital reissues of their criminally-underrated catalog (not to mention a small-run book, Lifter Puller Vs. The End Of, which contains photos, lyrics, and an oral history of the band), the guys who once made up Minneapolis quartet Lifter Puller are feeling understandably nostalgic. While sifting through the vaults for archival material, Craig Finn and the rest of the band found some awesomely dated video footage (which we’re betting was on a dusty VHS cassette) that they simply couldn’t keep to themselves. Today, Pitchfork.tv offered it up in a new installment of One Week Only. The hour-long video of Lifter Puller features a full performance at Minnesota’s St. Cloud State University for KVSC’s public access program Monday Night Live. The December 1997 appearance primarily boasts songs from their then-new album, Half Dead And Dynamite, which hit stores in October of 1997. This classic footage of Finn and Tad Kubler (who went on to form The Hold Steady) will be available exclusively at Pitchfork.tv for a full week starting today!

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TBS featured this advertisement for Tiger Beer in their funniest commercials of the year: 2009 special. The ad uses Louisiana-born soul singer Charles Sheffield’s 1961 track “It’s Your Voodoo Working.” Kevin Nealon hosted the show.

Click here to buy on iTunes [track 53].

The Bad Brains track “I Against I” made an epic punk splash on Trauma. The DC band recognized as being pioneers of the 80’s punk scene has had a cult following for many years since it’s conception. Grab this gem in The Orchard’s catalog and find out why Bad Brains is considered to be one of the fathers of punk!

Click here to buy on iTunes.

The greatly anticipated film adaptation of the Broadway musical NINE, featuring an All-star cast, will make use of The Orchard’s classical music catalog. It will feature two Gregorian Chant tracks, a “Gloria” and a “Kyrie” performed by the Coro Madrigale Slovenico and The American Boychoir.

Buy the “Gloria” and “Kyrie” on iTunes by clicking on the links.

The track “Sooner Or Later” off Zaza’s latest EP, Cameo, was recently featured on the T.V. series NUMB3RS. Zaza’s admiration for the production of layered music by influential bands such as Kraftwerk, lends to the beautifully melodic and highly textured sound of Cameo.

Click here to buy the track or better yet, the entire EP, Cameo on iTunes.

This past August, musician and production genius RJD2 made the exciting announcement that he had started his own label (RJ’s Electrical Connections) and would be releasing a slew of deluxe reissues of his back catalog throughout the fall.  He also revealed that his brand new LP and 4th solo album to date, The Colossus, would be hitting stores January 19th, 2010 – coinciding with an exhaustive North American tour that will run through the spring.

As if that wasn’t enough, this week, RJD2 is offering us even more good news.  Starting today, fans can head over to RJ’s website to purchase a pre-order of several different exclusive packages of The Colossus. The lowest tier is a $9.99 digital album, with tracks in DRM-free 320kbps or FLAC format, which includes a 6-page full color PDF booklet and an instant gratification download of the instrumental version of “Games You Can Win,” a track that’s only available via RJ’s pre-orders.  From there, packages increase in price and offering, while an exclusive Colossus hoodie can be added to any of the packages for an additional $30.00.  At the top level is a super limited edition package (only 100 made) at $159.99, which includes everything in the Deluxe Package, as well as the exclusive hoodie, RJ’s 2002-2010 Vinyl Boxset and four CDs.  Check out the official RJD2 store for full package details.

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Recent Frenchkiss signings Local Natives may just be starting to gear up for the stateside release of their impressive debut, Gorilla Manor, due to hit U.S. stores on February 16th, but the internets have been patiently waiting for a while.  The record, which came out in Europe last month, has already landed the L.A. quintet comparisons to Grizzly Bear and Vampire Weekend, thanks in no small part to their lush harmonies and wide-eyed buoyant pop hooks.  Today, Pitchfork is offering LP standout “Sun Hands” for free download, and let’s just say that by the end of the song, you’ll have no doubt that Frenchkiss is the perfect label for these guys.  Grab it now, or buy it as a digital single on January 5th.

Also stay tuned to the Local Natives website in the new year, where you’ll be able to pre-order Gorilla Manor complete with some extra goodies.  The band is setting out on a U.S. tour in the spring as well, so keep an eye out for dates and more details to come.

Download and share “Sun Hands” from Gorilla Manor [Frenchkiss Records]:

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The Orchard’s very own Frankie Avalon lends the classic track ”Venus” to the Showtime television drama Dexter.

Click here to Purchase the track on iTunes.