With more buzz than a hornets' nest, The Ting Tings had the music blog-uh-sphere in the palm of their little British hands in the first half of 2008. Then they dropped their "Shut Up And Let Me Go" video and we were basically eating out of those same hands, which opened up to reveal one of the most visually mesmerizing videos since a-ha's legendary "Take On Me."

Directed by British duo Alex and Liane (Bloc Party's "Banquet" and Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold" -- an absolute Buzzworthy fave) in just one day (!!!), "Shut Up And Let Me Go" is a hypnotic tunnel of Kill Bill-reminiscent kung fu, moving walls, wry transitions, more hand signs than exercise hour at a prison yard, more depth than an empty swimming pool, and more dimension than a box of 3D glasses. Plus, the tension, energy, and dynamism of the video takes the whole "trapped-in-a-crappy-relationship" theme to new levels... You reading this, Audrina?

"Shut Up And Let Me Go" was nominated for Video of the Year at the 2008 VMAs but got trounced by Britney. It did, however, win Best UK Video, and, far more importantly, the esteemed honor of my very favorite video of 2008!

This is my VERY last post of 2008, so go have yourself a safe, happy new year, and go watch Miley!

+ Runner-up: No Age's visually arresting "Eraser" video
+ Pop Cultured's No. 1 Video: Madonna's "4 Minutes"
+ My No. 2 Video: Jonas Brothers, "Lovebug"
+ Pop Cultured’s No. 2 Video: Flo Rida, “Low”
+ My No. 3 Video: Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights”
+ Pop Cultured's No. 3 Video: Rihanna, "Rehab"
+ MTV’s Best of 2008

Let's get a few things out of the way real quick: if I said I was overly familiar with Aussie electro-funk artist Sam Sparro before last night's episode of Dancing With the Stars, I'd be lying. Second, my mama didn't raise no liar. Third thing: Yes, I realize I'm expressly uncool for watching DWTS or using abbreviations thereof. Addendum/ fourth thing: I don't care, and I already came out of the closet with my love for Dancing With the Stars last week, so let's move on.

Sam Sparro's "Black and Gold" video -- off his self-titled album (yes, it's been out in the States since June 2008 and abroad since Spring) makes me want to rent the glassed-in penthouse of The Hotel on Rivington, climb into a hot tub filled with real pearls and Veuve Cliquot with Sam Sparro, Gabe Saporta (Sam Sparro + Gabe = possibly separated a birth? Mmm... Gabe Saporta), Mark Ronson, and Robin Thicke... and watch Dancing With the Stars until one of us passes out from heat stroke.