Yo Gabba Gabba!, the kiddie show that grabbed our attention with original music from Cornelius and the Shins, has booked lots more bands to appear in season two. Ladytron, MGMT, Mates Of State, Datarock, Hot Hot Heat, the Roots, Jimmy Eat World, the Ting Tings, and Mixmaster Mike have all been invited by DJ Lance Rock to share educational tunes for tots. The fun started earlier this week with the Ting Tings singing Altered Images’ “Happy Birthday” to Brobee (AKA the green monster). Jimmy Eat World appear on today’s episode performing “Beautiful Day” atop flying cats and dogs. We have both clips after the jump in case you don’t TiVO much Nick Jr.

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Less symbolism than last time and the drama’s dialed down a notch, but Steve Bays’s curls continue to loom large in this retro-printed clip for “Harmonicas & Tambourines,” lyrics printed for your karaokeing pleasure. (Although you’re probably not gonna sing along, let’s agree it’s better than “Let Me In”). They say magic words like “Hotel Chelsea” and “Brooklyn” and take stabs at comical quirk but sorry to say triple H, it’s not happening here. Also note the excessive depictions of straightening irons, and again, Steve Bays’s curls. Maybe a subconscious rendering of fears of going flat? Too late.

Happiness LTD. is out now on Sire/Warner.

Hot Hot Heat indeed dig focusing their videos on Steve Bays big curls and bigger smile. That knowing grin (and final, pouting dismay) made dramatic sense for our tousled hero in “Middle Of Nowhere“; here, the formula’s a bit confusing: “Let Me In,” the second single from the Victoria quartet’s forthcoming Happiness Ltd., spins the well-worn metaphor about trying to find some way into a gal’s heart/mind (just. let. me. in…). Using that as the jump off, the video finds Bays literally trying to enter a club, navigating ticket lines, guest lists, slapped boyfriends, firemen, kitchen workers, squirrelly cowboy club owners, and cool Hells Angels roadies just to bring you the rock. Kinda makes sense (on the other hand, why bother?), but after finally making it through the obstacle course and delivering the climactic well-lit, slightly slow-motion performance, why does Bays’ go-lucky smiles turn into an out-of-breath frown? Wait, does he realize this slightly catchy, but saccharine tune suggests the ex-synthpunks can’t turn back from the path toward teeny pop? Nah, more likely he misses Dante DeCaro. (By the way, smart move joining Wolf Parade, dude.)

Happiness Ltd. is out 9/11 on Sire.

The year’s not over, but we can start buzzing about 2005′s hott releases…

JAN
Bright Eyes Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (Saddle Creek)
Chemical Brothers Push the Button (Astralwerks)
Low The Great Destroyer (Sub Pop)
Mercury Rev Secret Migration (V2 import … US release in May)

FEB
Aesop Rock Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives (Def Jux)
Ida Heart Like A River (Polyvinyl)
LCD Soundsystem s/t (Capitol)
M.Ward Transistor Radio (Merge)
Mogwai Government Commissions (BBC Sessions 1996-2003) (Matador)

MAR
Bloc Party Silent Alarm (Vice)
The Decemberists Picaresque (KRS)
Doves Some Cities (Capitol)
Yo La Tengo Prisoners of Love: A Smattering of Scintilliating Senescent Songs, 1984-2003 (Matador)

APR
Hot Hot Heat Elevator (Warner)

What else are you excited about? Post in the comments.

Also, Stereogum’s Best Albums Of 2004 coming next week!