OK Go

No discussion of music videos could be complete without honoring OK Go - a band that consistently turns out top notch music videos. They clearly appreciate the medium, and their videos are entertaining and intricate. From their first dancing video "A Million Ways" to the two amazing videos for the recent "This Too Shall Pass" - they have perfected the music video - solidly catchy good music, paired with humor and attention getting visual appeal - you can't take your eyes off of them. As much as I can enjoy fun videos with bad songs or those with good music but mediocre visuals, it is much more satisfying to watch when both parts are really good. It doesn't hurt that they have/make great faces (and that I unabashedly love goofy dancing).


And I love their open approach to getting their music heard - there is speculation that they cut ties with their former labels to start their own because the labels were trying to block the "viral" distribution of their videos. Which just earns them more respect, in my book. From their website you can even download the "End Love" video for free (OK Go.net) - and they boldly allow sharing:  "In the continuing spirit of the brave, new OK Go world, you can watch it above, or on our YouTube page, or embed it to your hearts desire…" The internet may have a lot of crap, but we know (I use the royal internet "we") a good video when we see it; and of course we want to share it. And then buy their albums, of course! I have, and they are great.

I know they get a lot of internet love, which is well deserved - and I am happy to add to their love fest. They are music video superheroes, and internet video pioneers, blazing the way forward to creative distribution of independent entertainment.
 

Here is "A Million Ways" - which is just them, dancing in a backyard.

OK Go - A Million Ways from OK Go on Vimeo.



Next comes another complex choreographed dance routine, possibly their most famous video "Here it Goes Again" - again, delightful and brilliant.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again from OK Go on Vimeo.


Then there's "Do What You Want" (Wallpaper version) -
OK Go - Do What You Want (Wallpaper Version) from OK Go on Vimeo.


And "WTF" -



This one has a goose. "End Love" -


And lastly, the two versions for "This Too Shall Pass" - the marching band one was done live, the Rube Goldberg machine one is one beautiful take -  adding a little bit of magic to a song about the passage of time.

Marching:






And my favorite, the Rube Goldberg machine:




I don't think there are many other bands with this great of a video track record. And they're still young, they could be be making great music and great videos for years to come. Let's hope so. May their font of creativity be inexhaustible.

Time for a brief overshare

My friend Miss Michael had this post on her blog, wherein one shares three things about oneself in different categories, then "tag" three more people, etc. I will not tag anyone because I don't even have three followers, ha!

While it's true that my overarching aim is music video discussion, I think it doesn't hurt to hear a few other things from time to time. A glimpse into my life this week finds: my grandmother in the hospital; my iphone left in a coworkers van; my spending out of control (I went on a bad shopping binge this weekend, I must stop); making cake pops this evening in prep for a bridal shower I am supposed to be planning for this fall; and the beckoning embrace of 'vacation' just on the horizon, clouding my day-to-day thinking.

So without further ado - 3's (in no particular ranking, these aren't my "top 3's" - just a snapshot):

3 names I go by:

1. Naomi
2. Mimi (this is an old family nickname).
3. Nay

3 places I have been:

1. Israel
2. Paris, France
3. NYC

3 favorite drinks:

1. Margaritas
2. Gin & Tonic
3. Mac & Jacks African Amber

3 jobs I have had:

1. Epidemiologist (Occupational Health)
2. Customer Service
3. File Clerk

3 TV shows I watch:

1. Top Gear
2. True Blood
3. Futurama

3 places I would like to visit:

1. All 50 states / every National Park
2. New Zealand
3. Scotland

3 places I have lived:

1. San Diego, CA
2. Los Angeles, CA
3. Seattle(-ish), WA

3 favorite dishes:

1. Sweet Potato Fries
2. Lemon Tart
3. Shawarma

3 things I am looking forward to:

1. My summer vacation (camping!)
2. My fall vacation (friend's wedding)
3. Paying off my student loans (in about 35 years, hopefully before I die)

Sabotage!

Had a crazy busy week at work, June had several of my deadlines, the office 20th anniversary event, and etc... So that's why there haven't been any posts lately. Next week I have vacation, and I may go early due to family issues, so I would guess posting will be sporadic (if at all) for some time.

This post stems mainly from a discussion with a coworker (SW) during a post-lunch walk, in which we were talking about music videos, the sometimes dearth of female rock/indie acts, the new LCD Soundsystem album, and other such topics. In her opinion, the Beastie Boys video ("the one with the car chase") is one of the few music videos that is awesome.

When she said that, I had to agree. I hadn't even seen it in quite some time, but the instant she mentioned Beastie Boys/car chase, I could see the "Sabotage" video in my head. It's very memorable. At least, I hope this is the one she was talking about, LOL.

Reasons why it's great:
It's completely cinematic: there's energy and mood, and action and lighting and great shots.
It tracks well, the rising beat of the song and the action in the video; the dramatic pauses.
And best of all, the video shows a sense of humor, which I think is lacking in some artists, as nothing drags down a video like taking oneself too seriously.





Anyways, that's it for now. I will try to get through a couple more posts this long weekend while I still have some of the above discussed ideas in mind.
But right now I am off to spend more money I don't have.