Videos: Stephen Colbert chats with R.E.M.

I’m breaking with form a little bit this week, posting an interview to begin this round-up of clips instead of a music video.

But don’t misunderstand. We’ve also got some good clips from Gogol Bordello and Kanye West.

R.E.M. and Stephen Colbert — Interview and “Supernatural Superserious” — Live

“How much mandolin on this album?” Stephen Colbert asks the guys in R.E.M. about their new album. “If like ‘Losing My Religion’ is like 10, where are we?” Negative three is the answer, which the group then proves by tearing through the lively “Supernatural Superserious.”

And here’s the song:

Gogol Bordello — “Wonderlust King” — Live

You need to stick through about 12 seconds of static and blackness to get to this clip, a July performance by the multinational group on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” Still, it’s worth the wait, if only to watch the many members of the group tear through a song that fits into their whole gypsy-punk-folk-cabaret shtick. And incidentally, if you ever get a chance to see these guys live – as in, in person, not through the Internets – by all means, go. They’re incredible.

Kanye West with Chris Martin — “Homecoming” — Video

Kanye West walks and drives around Chicago, a favorite city of mine, as he sings about his hometown. Occasionally, a weird see-through silhouette – Chris Martin of Coldplay – interjects to sing the song’s hook and/or play piano. It all works fairly well, even if it’s not extraordinary.