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.