Oh yes, it's that time of year again

Eurovision 2011!

I love the whole giant spectacle of the thing, all the voting and the over-the-top performances and etc. And I love seeing videos from foreign countries. Even with the ridiculous amount of hours I spend on the internet and half-assedly following some music news, I feel I don't see nearly enough videos/etc from artists that aren't from the US/Canada/UK (some, but not lots).

So anyways, Eurovision - I like it, but I don't really follow it, so I was just thinking to myself earlier this week that I should probably look up when it is/was if I wanted to post about it again, feeling like it was about time - and lo and behold on Friday I stumbled upon an article in the HuffPo about Norway's entry - "Haba Haba" - Stella Mwangi.

This is a super happy song, and the video is very simple (she walks around, gaining followers in an impromptu quasi-parade) - but so catchy, dance-alicious, and straight-up infectiously cheery that I feel it could go all the way. I really like it. Besides the joyful song, everyone just looks really happy in the video, and she looks beautiful and glowing in her orange puffy dress... And if you read the aforelinked article, you can learn that the song has a lovely meaning/importance as well (she is the daughter of political refugees, so immigration/journey/struggle, some of the central lyrics are in Swahili, etc). Very heartwarming. And I am sometimes cynical and jaded about 'happy' music, often find it cloying or just too sappy; my taste generally runs to the less jubilant and more reflective/mopey. So for me to admit to liking a happy song is rare. But I would buy this immediately (if I could find it on iTunes, which I can't, is it not released here yet? Or something? Are we just behind the times?)  to put on some of my happier playlists (woefully short).







Ukraine: "Angel" - Mika Newton has a nicely shot video for a kinda meh song. Keep your eyes peeled for the man in the half shirt and the peek of interestingly manscaped chest hair. He's like an acrobat (breakdancer?) in the circus? Then there's a vaguely menacing man in a top-hat? Points for being amusing.




Then there's this little number where she may or may not be a hawk? Like flying in the sky. "Feel the passion" - Aurela Grace (Albania). Some of the aerial shots are really lovely, if you overlook the fake flying and etc. The bridge she stands on is also nice. Song is pretty boring.




This one - "Running Scared" - Eldar & Nigar (Azerbaijan) - also has pretty scenery, even if the song is kinda forgetable. I like the shot where they pass each other in the cable cars. It's a nice touch. I have to say he looks like a 16 yr old smaller-eyed version of Elijah Wood, and she looks a lot older. But the video is nicely executed and the song is not bad.




Bulgaria - "Na Inat" - Poli Genova - goes for a kind of harder pop, and it wasn't in English, which I like. More local flavor. According to other version on YT "Na Inat" means "For Spite" - which kinda comes across in the video a little, even if you don't know Bulgarian.




Sweden - "Popular" - Eric Saade - goes for a nice trashy Eurobeat techno number about yearning to be popular - but hey, it features a "Dance Battle" so I am all for that. Unfortunately, the video is a little dark and hard to make out all the dancing.




Israel - "Ding Dong" - Dana International - she is renowned for both her personal life (Israel's first drag queen, trans) and for winning the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with "Diva".  This song is a solid pop number, and the video, with her swanning around in various outfits (I like the red dress against the white with the cherries), is fittingly glam, yet still rather understated. I don't know that I can take any song seriously that features the words 'ding dong', but I guess it refers to bells/silent prayers, so it's not as silly as the title might lead one to believe at first glance.




On a completely different track is "With Love Baby" - Witloof Bay (Belgium) - who do an a capella  song, in a very retro/classy style. Beatboxing break at 1:30! It's kinda groovy and fun. I like it a lot, and I think the video is good with the dancing, and the b&w to color changes (love the blue/coral), trying to keep it interesting. Certainly striking in tone and style, especially compared with some of the other more generic pop songs.




Anyways, that's about all I have patience for right now. I encourage you to explore the Eurovision channel on YouTube, because it's worth it - some ok songs, a lot of glam, the chance to see entries from tiny countries you may not otherwise know anything about - and for the LOLZ (outfits, sets, weird performances, etc).

I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

So my fb friend M shared this link the other day, and it's funny because I've never met her - she is besties with one of my besties and we are friends because we were supposed to be bridesmaids together last year - but apparently we have a lot of similar tastes, and this unfolds in things she posts that I then like and comment on. Like our shared love and appreciation of David Bowie's performance in Labyrinth. Despite needing it to stay in stalking contact with tiny circle of actual friends, I almost always feel like deleting my fb page because most of the people I used to know, don't care/I don't talk to anyways, so what's the point? But it is the little things, like bonding with almost-strangers over tightpantsed superhottievillians, and seeing people who have lovely eclectic tastes in music that sometimes brighten my outlook.

So she posted this: "Lloyd, I'm ready to be heartbroken" - Camera Obscura. Which happens to be one of my favorite songs, and the video is also pretty amusing. Some amusing dancing/retro-style goes on, and the singer kinda just stands there, slumpy, juxtaposing nicely. I like the whole vibe and the colors, not to mention the giant pink bear with bloody claws. The YT comments analyzing it (is it depressing vs. is she being brave and ready to love, etc) are also amusing.





If you haven't listened to much Camera Obscura, you should. Lovely, hazy, indie pop. Just the thing for summer days or drizzly drear.

This video goes for a slightly different retro vibe - as if the band was being filmed back then. I really like it. Quiet, but interesting enough. I generally like videos that do the homage to previous styles/genres/artists.

"Tears for Affairs" 





"French Navy" tells a tale of love, and in cute cinematic way. I would watch a movie of this.







"Let's get out of this country" -  Sometimes we all feel this way,  and the video puts action to the sentiment of leaving.  "...We'll find a cathedral city, you can convince me I'm pretty...."




Anyone brave enough to comment, please share what music/videos people have posted to fb or blogged about/etc that have warmed your heart because you loved them too.

Pick your poison

Which version is less irritating? Let's play!

"Animal" - Neon Trees

I like this song, but this video I find grating. I think it's incredibly arrogant to feature them destroying art - no matter how boring/dull it's supposed to be - like their destruction is so much better? Cause their crap is so much "edgier" than what's out there? They're so much hipper that they're going to let loose with their neon paint and make things so much cooler? It's just tacky. I get the 'Animal' thing, but still, I find it lame. I like the slightly creepy turning of people into animals/animal-headed creatures, so that part is OK, but I think the whole thing just makes them look like trying-too-hard assholes. And again, I like the song, I just find the video makes me like it less.

But here's another version - where they do a lot of singing into the camera in a van strung with lights - I find it slightly less annoying. (But not by all that much. I still want to punch his hair in the face.) This version, at least, does not make me want to turn the song off/impact my liking of the song.

Now to a song that I love, that has two versions that I like - "Island in the Sun" - Weezer.

This is a lovely dreamy floaty piece of nearly perfect alt-pop.

The original version has them playing at wedding reception. This is my preferred version, as the backyard reception setting adds a layer of something more real/sad to a song about wanting to drift away on an island in the sun with someone else. Makes it all the more hopeful and promising. "We'll never feel bad anymore..." takes on a slightly wistful edge, I think it works perfectly with the song/vibe. Also, it reminds of growing up in San Diego.

The most played version however is the Spike Jonze one. Just them, and some adorable animals, and come on, who doesn't love bears and puppies! I feel this one just seems flatter. They play with animals. It's cute, but not interesting. It still goes OK with the song, I guess. And I don't hate it. I just like the first version better.

I'm sure there are more illustrations of video version. Please add them in the comments along with your thoughts/preferences!

Hot Hot Strings

I think I mention quite frequently how much I love the use of strings in rock, particularly the cello, which is my favorite instrument (I also like the oboe). It just works so well for me. I have a whole "Strings" mix (which I may someday post, if I ever finish adding/changing it) of great indie/rock/pop songs that feature great string bits. I also really love string covers (like the Vitamin "String Quartet" tribute albums - I love their Elliott Smith album with all my heart). And that's what this post will be about, not even getting into the great original music featuring strings that exists. Not yet!


My friend Will posted this video on his Facebook page a while back, and I liked it a lot! It's just so very cool. Meant to post it earlier. The YouTube comments suggest you may be able to buy this on iTunes on April 19th? So keep that in mind.

Two cello guys doing "Smooth Criminal" (Michael Jackson) - Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic: FANTASTIC. I like that they have some story-ish bits at either end, but keep the focus on the amazing music (and their mad, mad skillz). It's a pretty riveting performance. (Also they're cute.)






And of course no hot cello cover post would be complete without Apocalyptica.


"Nothing Else Matters" (Metallica) - Apocalyptica: I love the original song, it reminds me of being in high school and listening to the Black album in the summers with my friend L and we would just lay on the floor with the windows open to the cool night air...

I like this version too. It is as soothing as the original, but the cellos really just take it to an altogether lovely otherworldly place. The video is classy, very atmospheric & stark; with some nice lighting, snow, good hair whippin' and all - not a lot goes on, but it all fits very well.

Understand the lay of the land, and don't let it hurt you, or it will be the first to

More a short film than just a music video - this 15 minutes is mostly silent (song starts about 10 mins in). Interpretations? I don't really know, read some interesting youtube comments, etc. There's a picture that gives kind of an idea of the roles (towards end), but most is left blank, silent, unexplained. The first time I saw this, I was mainly just wondering what was going on (and thinking that Cillian Murphy is hot). Since not a lot happens I didn't really care for it (the song is lovely & haunting and does fit). However, I found myself thinking about it this winter when it snowed, and more recently just in the gloomy winter. It stands up on rewatch, still eerie and fascinating. I think that speaks to it being good (and successful), if you find yourself thinking about it later, mulling it over.


"The Water" - Feist

Good Morning! Good Morning!

Sunday afternoons seem to cry out for some calm but cheerful music, something better than usual - especially here where it is still cold and rainy. I have a whole classics/standards playlist for just such days, full of things like Frank Sinatra to serenade me while I lay around/fold laundry/play computer. Also, my last post with the cute retro "Shaker Star" video also kind of put me in the mood for some classics.

In place of music videos from that era, here are movie clips - from the golden age of movies! Such great singing and dancing and humor! I am a huge fan of good dancing, especially in men. It takes a strong person to pull off a whole-hearted crazy dance/costume/choreography/twirl your umbrella without appearing silly or weak.

These may just be bits from films, but they convey so much. Which is what I want in my music videos - show me something, make me feel something both through the music and the visuals. Take note, youthful performers of today!


"I Won't Dance" - Fred Astaire (from the movie 'Roberta'): Fred Astaire can sing, play, and dance. COME ON. (Also her fringed/sparkle dress is basically what I imagine myself wearing all the time in my head.)




and

"Puttin' on the Ritz" (Fred Astaire, from Blue Skies, 1946):



And of course - from Singing In The Rain - "Good Morning" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor - one of the many memorable sequences from a fantastic movie. (Warning: ads before video.)


Good Morning ! (singing in the rain) by _Fonzie_





Despite being older now, all of these were huge, lasting influences - here a young Michael Jackson tears it up in that style (and of course we all know he went on to become one of the greatest (if not THE) dancer of his generation):






And Usher did a version of Singing in the Rain -




Other more modern takes on this could be debated -

Here in the Taco version of Puttin' On The Ritz (circa early '80s) - not all that much dancing, though the heavily stylized outfit/stick remain. Also: blackface.




And I would say even something like Radiohead's "Lotus Flower" with just Thom Yorke flailing around is vaguely reminiscent - though not the same at all, it is still showman-dancing in the spotlight.


The dancing even makes its way into an Alanis video - "So Pure" - Alanis Morissette (also the guy in this was also in Romeo + Juliet which is one of my favorite movies even though I hate the story). I happen to like this video from her, I think it's cute and upbeat and I like the different dance styles pieced together. Unfortunately when I think 'Alanis video' I tend to think of the dopey walking down the road one for "Everything", even though it is not at all her most famous song or anything. It just sticks in mind (sadly). This one is much more fun and showcases real dancing. (Confession: I love Alanis. I should devote an entire post to her.)


Alanis Morissette - So Pure by Coronys

Shaker Star

No surprise that I would post this, as Eef Barzelay (@eefbarzelay)(of Clem Snide) is one of my all-time favorites. He tweeted this earlier this morning. So here you are! I recommend all of his works (as himself, with Clem Snide, all of it).

"Shaker Star" - Eef Barzelay (from Black Tin Rocket (Songs of the Transmissionary Six) - A quiet, film-like video for the song. While I do rather like the slight out-of-focus dreamy effect and the kind of slow charm of the video, not a lot happens. Restrained, subtle, a few hints of something going on with some of the facial expressions towards the end. Dream-like, memory-like, sad? Maybe? Mostly just gives atmosphere (the song to the video and/or the video to the song?)... And, I really want some dresses like that. And I wouldn't mind dancing around with some retro men...


Basically - just a lovely song/video combo.