Hail to the Master Chief
Attention nerds: The Halo 3 trailer is now on YouTube
Anthony Augustine

Halo 3 trailer—tinyurl.com/y3hjgw — Video-game nerds everywhere have been anticipating this moment for a long time. Halo 2 is still one of the most popular multiplayer games on Xbox Live, and Gears of War has managed to capture everyone’s attention, but Microsoft needs to continue releasing exclusive high-profile titles to keep building the value of its online service. The first two Halo games were innovative, award-winning and complex yet highly entertaining adventures. The franchise has since become a flagship title for the Xbox, so look for the third instalment to continue the tradition.

A Jib Jab year in review— www.jibjab.com/nuckin_futs — This site was launched in 1998, but it wasn’t until a series of pre-election videos were uploaded in 2004 that people really took notice of Gregg and Evan Spiridellis’ Jib Jab project. In their latest video instalment, the brothers offer their own look at what happened in 2006. From Dick Cheney’s hunting accident to Castro’s health problems to the war in Iraq, everything makes it into this quick two-minute ditty. Like the song says, 2006 was nuckin futs!

Loo and Placido— www.looandplacido.com — Nothing has yet replaced Party Ben’s Sixx Mixx mashup program, but you can subscribe to Loo and Placido’s podcast for a healthy dose of underground bootlegs and bastard pop. Featuring cuts the duo has cooked up in its studio, recent sets have included a mega-mash of Technotronic, the bootleg Music Teen Spirit (which cuts up Nirvana and Roger Sanchez) and a bunch of other exclusive remixes. You can also download a compilation of 24 tracks the duo has been involved with or a bunch of video mashups done for MTV Europe.

Peanuts & Corn— tinyurl.com/y8msav — Although mcenroe has relocated the label’s corporate office to Vancouver, Peanuts & Corn is still the primary vehicle for releasing Winnipeg hip hop. Boasting a roster that includes Pip Skid, Gruf, John Smith, Yy, Hunnicutt and Birdapres, P&C has grown while many other labels haven’t been so lucky. Known for putting out album after album of some of the best hip hop in Canada, the label has also been including a homemade version of MTV’s Cribs with recent releases. All seven episodes have been uploaded to YouTube and provide an interesting look into the lives of the members of one of Winnipeg’s long-standing hip hop crews.

Rolling Stone’s 100 best songs of the year— tinyurl.com/vgpfd — You may disagree with the fact that Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy is the No. 1 song on the Rolling Stone list, but at least you don’t have to shell out seven bucks to find out that the mag is still out of the loop despite a few bright spots this year.

Anthony Augustine is a freelance music and pop culture writer who spends way too much time in front of the computer. He also hosts a weekly two-hour electronic music program on CKUW 95.9 FM Got a site you think he should see? E-mail him at anthony.alloneword@gmail.com.