Record Store Day won’t save indie brick-and-mortar music retailers, but we can all agree it was a lot of fun. Between the exclusive releases and in-store performances and DJ sets, hopefully you found a reason to celebrate your favorite local shop on Saturday. In its third year RSD spread internationally, and had some heavy hitters on board: Dylan, Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, The Smiths, Queen, King Crimson … you know, typical indie stuff. 2009 represent. The exclusives I was trying to snag sold out long before I even got to East Village institution Other Music. Fair enough, early bird gets the Beck/Sonic Youth split 7″. Yet there was still a line just to shop in the store! The last time I waited in line for entry into a record store, I was trying to score Monster tour tickets. DJ sets by Grizzly Bear, The Pains Of Being Pure Of Heart, and The Raveonettes ultimately soundtracked my shopping experience, which was was worth the wait. I snapped some pics in the afternoon and was relieved by photographer Ryan Muir for Bill Callahan’s evening set of songs from the avant folkie’s Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle. Déjà vu. Also worth mentioning: the clerks at Other Music are pretentious assholes. Video proof…

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The Jeremy Konner-directed video for Army Navy’s “My Thin Sides” features Human Giant‘s Paul Scheer, who shows up as the band’s tambourine player, currently stuck in a funk, remembering the better times before he got kicked out for getting a little too excited during a show (see above screen grab). If you’re unfamiliar with the band, you might remember them from the beloved Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, wherein two of their songs appeared. The Los Angeles power-pop quartet also recently released a self-titled debut album, produced by Adam Lasus. That’s where “My Thin Sides” comes from. Here’s the a/v version. Don’t worry, it has a (really) happy ending. (Not really).

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Vivian Girls self-titled LP comes out 10/7 on In The Red. If you haven’t heard the Darger-referencing trio yet, Cassie, Katy, and Ali nail a C86 sound (see Shop Assistants) with layers of J&MC feedback and three-part harmonies that hit like Spector girl groups as much as early Slumberland noise-poppers (see Black Tambourine). In anticipation of the long player, the Brooklyn noise-pop trio’s just released the vinyl-only “I Can’t Stay” 7″. The record’s b-side’s a great cover of Daisy Chain’s “Blind Spot” that debuted in this week’s Drop. We also asked the Girls about the track and their thoughts on the original’s “annoying flute” and how the lyrics make their brains hurt. Read along and take a listen.

We also offered the chance to win Human Giant DVDs, a Human Giant Threadless t-shirt, and a $50 Threadless gift certificate.

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We admit we’re impressed by the level of discourse in the comments on Stereogum: mostly you guys are funny, knowledgeable, and collectively perfect at playing our fact checking cuz. Also you guys are excellent anonymous comment writers — that’s where your questionable displays of taste, rampant vulgarity, and misplaced aggression really shine. Although we aim to elevate discourse here, we also wanted to memorialize our appreciation for said moments of anonymous absurdity … and for that we called on the most absurd friends we have: Aziz, Paul, and Rob. The guys took a few minutes to respond to some of your finer postings between takes on set filming Human Giant‘s second season (hence Aziz and Rob’s old man makeup) which premieres one week from today on MTV. In addition, we have HG’s latest short about a homicidal carpet monkey, and how said short involves both Will Ferrell and Summer Roberts. Now, let’s see if your comment made the cut.

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Finally, a list you’ll hopefully enjoy — after all, you made it. This year’s Gummy voters came out in record numbers, meaning more statistically sound results than ever (the album rankings surer, the hotties hotter). But before we get to the results for best video, best live act, and most overblogged, we’d like to commemorate the strong showing of voter turnout and (mostly) great taste with this, a special Gummy Award presentation ceremony. Here to announce the top three in the all-important Best Album category, welcome Human Giants Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel, joining us now, live and on location.

Thanks guys, and thanks for dressing up for the occasion. Also, congrats to Joe Frazier! Last but not least, congrats to the randomly selected winner of this year’s Top 50 CDs, courtesy of our favorite brick + mortar + digital store Other Music. (Matthew S., check your gmail!) Without further ado, the complete results by category, this way…

Everywhere we looked Friday night was a mind explosion. The surreality of the scene at MTV studios was best captured by Aziz and Fred Armisen squaring off in a Guitar Hero challenge — using the Times Square big screen as their personal Xbox monitor. (Aziz’s excuse for missing notes: “There’s a delay on the jumbotron!”) Or maybe it was by seeing the National play “Mistaken For Strangers” with a ginormous glamour shot of Ashlee’s reconstructed nose looming over Matt’s shoulder? The Human Giant troupe took over MTV and MTV2 for 24 hours — ostensibly to earn a second season for their sketch show, actually to bring the network a full day of some laughs, unpredictability, good music, and Aphex Twin’s “Come To Daddy” beaming perversely over 44th and Broadway. One comedian’s dream was 322 little girls’ Times Square nightmare.

We got up to the studios shortly after John Krasinksi, Will Arnett, Michael Cera, and Rob Riggle had their hilarious hostage stand-off, but managed to catch plenty of insanity (and watch a fleet of young comics bow at Bob Odenkirk’s feet) before leaving at 6AM. Riggle’s wand-toting, camera-mugging security guard character (Cliff Carver) was a reliable go-to for laughs in the wee hours (so was Nick Kroll as the gay, Rob Huebel-crushing/Paul Scheer hating/”Aziz Aziz”-calling craft services coordinator Fabrice Fabrice, and as Paul’s Turkeytini quaffing uncle). The only band we got to enjoy was the National (check out the vid of “Mistaken For Strangers” and “Apartment Story” — mislabeled, yes … blame the interns). Also saw Morningwood, but they don’t really count.

We’ve pulled for Aziz from the start; remember our Aziz Punched A Wall contest? He’s come a long way, desi. All this couldn’t happen to a better group of guys. (Paul‘s really nice too! Rob … we haven’t met.) So the show gets a well deserved second season, and hopefully a second 24 hour marathon next time their heads are on the Viacom chopping block. For at least a day, we forgot the abomination of MTV’s current roster of programming via some good old fashioned fun and lots and lots of red bull. Though, Aziz, we’d totally watch Pregnant’d.

Vid highlights from the night here. Lots and lots of pics of the National and other very funny people after the jump. (Live MP3s and a similarly dismissive attitude re: Morningwood at Culture Bully.)

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Our friends Aziz, Paul, and Rob have had a funny run so far on their MTV show Human Giant, though the troupe’s absurdist shorts presumably haven’t lived up to Viacom brass’s lofty expectations. (Let’s face it, it’s no Road Rules 2007.) To save the show, the trio’s taken over MTV and MTV2 for 24 hours (noon today ’til noon tomorrow), charged with amassing 1,000,000 hits to humangiant.mtv.com before marathon end, and calling a shit ton of comedians and musicians to help fill the time.

A couple of hours ago they had Ted Leo solo in the studio, who expertly (and melodically) improvised while his guitar dropped out during “Me And Mia.” Watch it here, and don’t mind that they mislabeled the tune “A Bottle Of Buckie” (blame the interns).

Earlier this morning they had Mastodon rocking “Sleeping Giant” (watch here), and later they promise Albert Hammond, Jr., Tegan & Sara, and most awesomely, the National (not in that order). Left click and save.

After roasting indie clerks, stalking M.I.A., and launching Tapes ‘N Tapes, Aziz has teamed with fellow Human Giants Paul Scheer, Rob Huebel, and Jason Woliner (Rob Riggle cameo!) to bring magic back to the street. The sketch premiered at Pianos last year and is now web available as a preview for the troupe’s MTV show. Of course Aziz predicted that it’ll “get shitted on to no end in the comments.” What, are Stereogum readers that negative? (Sarah Silverman, don’t answer that.)

Q: Wow Stereogum, your SXSW party looks awesome. Is it free?
A: Yes, it’s free, but invite-only. A wristband or festival badge won’t get you in. Only a SXStereogum laminate.

We’re giving 150 of ‘em to you readers. So if you didn’t already get a personal invite to the show from me, now is your chance. Winners will be selected randomly, and we’ll snail mail you your pass, so make sure to write your address correctly. One entry per person.

Other SXStereogum news:

We’ve gotten ourselves some MCs: comedians Aziz Ansari and Paul Scheer, who you may recognize from Lower East Side Indie Rock Concert Hosts Magazine.

We’re planning on having free BBQ from what I’m told is the BBQ place in Austin. Just don’t give any to Ted Leo ’cause Ted Leo is totally vegan.

We’ll be selling limited-edition silkscreen posters designed by Jermaine Rogers as well as our first-ever Stereogum merch.

Finally, WE NEED A BEER SPONSOR. If you are a FREE BEER or know a FREE BEER, please e-mail me. Don’t worry, the day party will have beer one way or another ’cause Austin makes you thirsty.

In the meantime, I leave you with a semi-exclusive indie-rock comedy video starring our co-host Aziz Ansari and Andy Blitz. Aziz and Andy play clerks at my favorite record store Other Music, and it’s fucking hilarious. This screened at the Plug Awards, so that’s why I say semi-exclusive. But it hasn’t been on the Web until now. Aziz never gave me a title, so I’m gonna call it Indie Clerk Assholes.

Nice Ariel Pink music bed. Aziz performs with Todd Barry & Nick Kroll on Tuesday 2/28 at Pianos. It’ll be a mix of stand-up, special guests, and the premiere of a new short film from The Human Giant starring Aziz, Paul, and Rob Huebel, directed by Jason Woliner. Only $5. Buy tix here.