Warning for people of delicate sensibilities - if you may be offended by a song about pubic hair and a video full of glittery crotch shots... then you may want to skip this one. It is not for everyone, and with the pulling up of skirts and whatnot, might not be appropriate for the office (though I don't think there's any real nudity).
But it is so fun! The song is super catchy, and the video is pretty much exactly what you would want to go along with it - very dance-alicious and happy. I like the total randomness of the song/video (on her blog, linked below, you can read about when/how she wrote it and the making of the video). The video is like a crazy party thing with lots of flashing,which is appropriate for a short, quirky song of this subject matter. It couldn't be too serious.
Even if you're not a fan of her or her work/image/ethos - I think the video is hilarious. And on a slightly serious note, it has an important message - Amanda Palmer's blog has a quote from the video's director, Michael Pope who says:
"On the surface its a song about girls growing out their pubes. Underneath that however is a call to everyone, woman and man alike, to discover the courage to be themselves. Whoever that may be. No small order in a world that is constantly bombarding us with who and what we “should” be."
Two very different songs were stuck in my head today. No connecting threads that I could figure, just what popped up. The first was a shuffle play that I had pretty much forgotten I had. And the second I actually didn't have on my iphone's playlist (my iPod is giving me trouble so I've been relying on the phone lately, which is much more space limited) - and when I realized it wasn't there it made me extremely sad, so I had to set a notice to remind me to be sure and add it tonight.
"Miss Independent" - Ne-Yo: Which I just find amusing because you don't hear a lot of songs about men valuing women for having all their bills paid on time without a man (as opposed to say, T.I.'s 'Whatever You Like'). So that's kind of nice (although maybe it veers into trying-too-hard-to-win-us-over territory?). I don't care, I just wish I worked in an office with hot well-dressed people (Actually, that's a lie, cause I'm too lazy to dress cute every day, my office of jeans-wearing academics is pretty much perfect. And if anyone looking like that walked in, I probably couldn't get any work done anyways. So I'm fine without it. But still.)
AND
The Cutter - Echo & The Bunnymen: "Will I still be soiled/ when the dirt is off..." (What. A. Voice.) I am not really sure what goes on in this video, there's a lot of standing around and a lot of snow. But that's acceptable because I just spend the time being mesmerized by that voice coming out of those lips.
There's a lot of available lists of people's 'best' of 2010 stuff, including music videos. I feel there's a lot of repetition, LOL, but I don't think my list is that different either.
Ones I don't include that I saw on a lot of lists - Vampire Weekend's "Giving Up The Gun" - because it's basically only good because there's so many cameos (and Ezra K is a hottie, call me!). Other than that, it's not all that exciting. But did I like it? Yes. Weird tennis and JakeyG and RZA, these are all good things. (Aside: Tennis, like skiing, makes me think of the 80s. Is it the headbands?)
And LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls - which is a good concept and executed perfectly, however I find the menacing panda thing to be rather terrifying.
And Die Antwoord - Enter the Ninja - which is not a good video, except that it's so terrible. But it was a clear internet sensation and the song may worm its way into your head, whether you like it or not. (And their 'Evil Boy' video is like super creepy, and full of penises. I do not even know what is going on... it's just... odd.)
Nor do I include Kanye's(epic)Runaway and all that... that's not just a video, it's a movie. It should be it's own post, really. My favorite part is when he's at dinner being asked about whether he's realized his girlfriend is a bird. Also, Poweris visually striking as well. So yeah he's having a great year, LOL. But they're not exactly the kind of thing you want to just watch and watch. At least not to me. I like how he goes just over-the-top with absolutely everything, but it is different than your average entertaining video. He seems to be going for 'art' with these, not fun/watch-ability? Again, this could and probably should be an entire post and argument of its own.
Anyways, so not really in any order - just the videos I liked the best. Of course this is just the stuff I can remember, and I am certain I am leaving things out, I really need to keep a running list of ones I love during the year (also should do that with books) but never do... A sad failing, but since only like 3 people read this, if that, I am not too concerned =)
Dan Black - Symphonies (ft. Kid Cudi) - Love the song, and love that they throw in words and it's all very cinematic and cutesy, but without trying too hard.
Cee Lo Green - F*ck You - One of the year's best, no list should skip this.
OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Still wow.
Janelle Monáe - Tightrope - Just so good. Great music, dancing, fun, visually striking. All good.
Broken Bells - The Ghost Inside - Tells its story in a lovely, moving, and atmospheric way.
And I think those were all posted by me during the year in some form. The one I missed which is fantastic and I kept meaning to post about but never did, and should definitely be included, is this gem:
Hot Chip - I Feel Better (directed by Peter Serafinowicz, who is hilarious). Boy bands and aliens(?) and mayhem. Fantastic!
In The Sun - She & Him - It's just so sunny and happy. Though the video is just a touch too sweet, maybe? I still like it. I'm a sucker for dancing and cute clothes. So adorable.
(In my Christmas playlist, there is a whole lot of Sufjan Stevens.)
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
These next two aren't real videos, but at least you can hear his lovely voice enfold you all Christmas-y...
And of course a Happy Holidays to everyone who celebrates anything else, or nothing! Either way, we can all spend the day eating cookies and missing/resenting our families :)
I generally like videos where people dress up, but I have some issues with this:
1) This is not really rock (duh)
2) This is basically just derivative of RHCP's Dani California where they progress through the ages (which I adore, I think it's a great video)
3) A cigar (Swisher Sweets) reference? Really? LOL.
4) I love the earlier looks featured in this video, she looks super fantastic so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.
Verdict: The song is very repetitive and my attention can't be held by all the costume changes. Even though I love the beginning (and the nod to TLC). She is gorgeous but the ego trip is not that exciting.
"Pretty Girl Rock - Keri Hilson"
But it is annoyingly cheery, and I fear that it may get stuck in my head sometime... That would be bad. Because Knock You Down (ft. Kanye & Ne-Yo) always gets stuck in my head, possibly because I love the line "I used to be commander in chief of my pimp ship flying high." (Love that line so hard.)
Also, as pretty as she is (she totally is), I feel anyone who sings about how gorgeous they are... that's some ego. Can you imagine how making the video above with Kanye was? LOL. So much ego in one room. People who think they are hot - there's a fine line between it being attractive (confidence) and being totally annoying and unattractive. Or maybe I take it too seriously?
To quote The Streets -
"But there's just one little thing that really really,
Really really annoying me about you you see,
Yeah yeah like I said you are really fit
But my gosh don't you just know it"
Haven't posted for a while, the end of the year just seems to get so busy so fast. Went on a Thanksgiving mini trip with my cousin, and we did not die in the snow, so that was something to give thanks for! It was fun. Now, though, it's back to work and trying to meet work deadlines by the end of the year and who even knows, LOL, December is always Crazy. Capital C Crazy.
Anyways, this year Hanukkah started on the first which is super-early. So in honor of that, some videos for Hanukkah. This is tricky because there aren't many, other than traditional music and Adam Sandler.
So people, you need to get out there and write some new stuff!! It's a holiday about freedom from oppression, rededication, miracles and light - surely there are some more things to be said! And make some good videos, because we don't have very many.
Miracle - Matisyahu: The song is catchy, but I feel the video is trying a little too hard. However, it does also have a hockey fight, and that's something I can get behind. Muscially, props to Matisyahu for continuing to make songs that are totally fresh, hip, modern - but still deeply spiritual.
Candlelight - The Maccabeats: This song is based on a version of Taio Cruz's "Dynamite," adapted with some Hanukkah lyrics. Super fun, but I feel the video has a conspicuous lack of girls? Very earnest and happy performance, love that they just went for this, tin-foil shields and all!
Oh Hanukkah - Gods of Fire: Metal version of the traditional Hanukkah song!
Hanukkah Flash Mob: To a Hanukkah version of Hey-Ya
"...As vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart." Proverbs 25:20 (KJV)
This could be interpreted as bad - corrosive, acid; or as a good thing - effervescent, cleansing.
It probably depends on the song and the heart.
(Disclaimer: videos are posted from outside sources that are beyond my control, I cannot assure what copyright protection practices each individual site may have.)
All you need to know about me is that I love Bob Dylan, Jesus, books, art, music, the internet, bad TV, cooking, my cats and crossword puzzles. In some order.
