More flippin' with Jukebox TV

If there's a downside to DVR's -- and this is the only one I can think of -- it's that flying past commercials isn't always the best move. Some spots are actually worth watching because of the music. Because God knows you can't discover anything new by watching MTV or listening to the radio.

Anyway, with a little blog feature I like to call Jukebox TV, I plan on posting some recently spotted commercials that use songs I've already grown to love. Maybe you're curious who the actual artists are. Maybe it's simply a song you haven't heard in awhile. Maybe you just want to complain that a commercial is on way too much.

Either way, if there's an ad you want me to check out or try and identify by song, I'm game. Leave a comment or e-mail me. I'll do my best to track it down and post about it down the road.

The Silver Seas: "Imaginary Girl"

Here's a confusing one. "Imaginary Girl" was previously released on the "High Society" album by an unknown Nashville band named the Bees (and subsequently featured in a Press-Gazette Download of the Week two years ago). Since there's already a band called the Bees in the UK -- also pretty good by the way -- the band was forced to change its name to the Silver Seas, which then led to a re-release of "High Society," and (whew) this 2-minute pop gem getting some unexpected airplay in a Kenmore commercial. It's a delightful '70s-era pop song that should please fans of Neil Finn and Josh Rouse. Heck, you've probably found yourself humming it already.


The Flaming Lips: "The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song"

Wayne Coyne and Co. have licensed songs before -- "W.A.N.D." was in a Dell commercial and "Do You Realize?" for Mitsubishi and Land Rover -- but this one is sure to catch some flack seeing as how schlocky it is to be peddling something so ... I don't know ... insipid like salad dressing. But no worries. It's doubtful most folks will identify that the "Yeah Yeah Yeah" hook is from an actual song and not just background noise created by the crafty folks at, er, Kraft. To be honest, it actually kinda works in this context. (Knowing Adam is a huge Lips fan, I wonder if this commercial makes him cry ... and if his tears taste like raspberry vinaigrette.)


The Submarines: "You, Me and the Bourgeoisie"

Instrumental use only, which is a shame because Blake Hazard's woozy vocals help give the "Everyday we choose love/We choose light" chorus its punch. There's a direct conflict here because the song has a strong anti-materialistic message yet the Submarines are peddling iPhones. Bow down to Apple!


Noah and the Whale: "Five Years Time"

One of my favorite songs at the moment, Noah and the Whale appear to be big fans of Noah Baumbach's "Squid and the Whale." But don't hold that against them (like "Juno," that movie was trying WAY too hard.) A quirky, chirpy pop tune that would fit perfectly alongside instrument happy bands like I'm From Barcelona or really anyone who brings a ukulele to the party. Big points to Saturn (the Noah album isn't out in the U.S. until Sept. 16). This song is the epitome of fun, fun, fun.


The Ting Tings: "Shut Up and Let Me Go"

The Golden Ticket for commercial tunes is, of course, an iPod spot. Whether the Fratellis or Feist, there always seems to be a spike in interest based on getting that crazy silhouette to bust some dance moves. The Ting Tings didn't really need much assistance. "Shut Up and Let Me Go" is a riotous ball of fun. "That's Not My Name" is even better. So while the critics aren't too kind -- and I can't stop thinking of the B-52's and Tony Basil when I hear them -- you could do much worse.


-- Thomas Rozwadowski, trozwado@greenbaypressgazette.com