Digest of Wonder: Tree-Climbing Goats, Mummies, and Dirty Projectors Covers

Today’s post is going to be short on talk, but will feature a medley of wondrous images and hyperlinks for you to enjoy.

Here are some things from the internet that have recently inspired wonder in me. May they also bestow feelings of amazement upon you.

Tree-Climbing Goats of Morroco – Seriously. You have to see this. Also on Youtube.

10 of the World’s Most Amazing Mummies – Another great post from Atlas Obscura. Incredible.

Solange Knowles covers Dirty Projectors – First she ostensibly gets her sister Beyonce and Jay-Z into Grizzly Bear. Now this.  Somehow, every time a big hip-hop or R&B star (especially a Knowles) flirts with indie rock, which has been happening lately, my dream of one day stealing Beyonce away from Jay-Z seems slightly less absurd. [UPDATE: check out this article from August. Jay-Z on indie rock]. But seriously, Solange’s version of “Stillness is the Move” is so good and based around the same sample as Dr Dre’s xxplosive. Thank you, Pitchfork. (note: Pitchfork’s mp3 was taken down, but this one should still work). Also, if you haven’t seen it, the Dirty Projectors’ incredible original “Stillness is the Move” has a lovely video. I’ll be seeing you Montrealers at the Dirty Projectors show this Sunday at Le National with our good buddy Tuneyards. Should be epic.

In other news, my herbal detox is going well. I’ve pretty much gotten over feeling hungry all the time, but the other night I had a very impassioned dream in which I ate an entire plate of nachos. That was all that happened. Notably, the nachos had pesto on them, which is something I will have to try after this cleanse is finished.

Also, look out for an Adam & The Amethysts Montreal show or two in the coming months, because, why not?

Ukulele = Whimsy in Advertising,

I can’t be the only person who’s noticed that in the past year or so, ukulele (and in particular, slight variations on a specific ukulele arrangement that usually also includes glockenspiel or tinkly piano and often whistling) has become the primary vehicle through which TV advertisers communicate whimsy.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the uke, but frankly these cutesy ukulele ads are getting a little annoying. Not that I watch that much TV or even have cable. But who doesn’t like to curl up on the couch with that special someone in front of So You Think You Can Dance every once and a while? (i.e. every week…)

In any case, notice the similarity between the soundtrack to this Canadian Tire ad…

and this Workopolis ad?

And there are millions more. Like this, this, this, and this.

Anybody work in advertising who can share some insights about this?

a