So a few weeks back I posted the first in what is now a series on a look at our culture today and back in the 80's through the lens of the music video.
Why the music video? For one, because the music video was new back in the 80's, so it's interesting to take a look back and see how music videos have changed and how they haven't. And two, I like music videos. I've also been focusing on the New Wave and Indie genres—for now—because many New Wave artists were the first to make really effective music videos, and because Indie artists tend to make, well, let's say interesting music videos. Also they were/are both not quite mainstream but fairly popular.
This episodes choices both have a slight semblance of plot, which allows viewers to attempt to read between the lines and come up with a deeper meaning, even though there probably isn't one. Classic strategy!
Showing posts with label music videos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music videos. Show all posts
Monday, January 30, 2012
Saturday, December 17, 2011
A study of culture through youtube: 80's New Wave vs. Indie today
So everyone knows I love music. I also enjoy a good music video. Since the advent of MTV, some good videos have been able to make a song, or even a band, reach new heights of popularity. Others have at least provided exposure for bands while generally confusing their audience.
Back in the 80's music videos were relatively new, and simply standing in front of a camera playing a song could suffice for a video. Today with every band under the sun posting their videos on youtube, most try to do something different to stand out.
After watching a few videos from the early 80's, I thought it would be fun to do a video comparison. I thought comparing New Wave to Indie made sense because they are both sort of against the mainstream, and their videos both have a tendency to be a little ridiculous and make no sense. For this comparison, the videos both come from English bands and neither makes a real attempt at telling a story, opting instead for the classic band-playing-music-in-a-room style.
First up: New Wave band with androgynous lead singer dance in a room at a well-disclosed location until a boy turns orange.
Observations: Man they look awkward, but at least they're enthusiastic about it.
Next: Diverse Indie band plays in aesthetically pleasing arrangements while seagulls learn the peril of bumper-cars.
Observations: White people have stopped attempting to dance in music videos. This is probably mostly a good thing, but it makes me a little sad.
The Human League video takes place at a location on a map / in a map (I'm not quite sure), while the Metronomy video takes place in an anonymous white room. Is this a reaction to the lack of privacy we feel today? Or is it just indicative of the fact that it was shot in a professional studio rather in a band member's basement?
P.S.: I'm thinking of turning this into a recurring feature, what d'ya think?
Back in the 80's music videos were relatively new, and simply standing in front of a camera playing a song could suffice for a video. Today with every band under the sun posting their videos on youtube, most try to do something different to stand out.
After watching a few videos from the early 80's, I thought it would be fun to do a video comparison. I thought comparing New Wave to Indie made sense because they are both sort of against the mainstream, and their videos both have a tendency to be a little ridiculous and make no sense. For this comparison, the videos both come from English bands and neither makes a real attempt at telling a story, opting instead for the classic band-playing-music-in-a-room style.
First up: New Wave band with androgynous lead singer dance in a room at a well-disclosed location until a boy turns orange.
Observations: Man they look awkward, but at least they're enthusiastic about it.
Next: Diverse Indie band plays in aesthetically pleasing arrangements while seagulls learn the peril of bumper-cars.
Observations: White people have stopped attempting to dance in music videos. This is probably mostly a good thing, but it makes me a little sad.
The Human League video takes place at a location on a map / in a map (I'm not quite sure), while the Metronomy video takes place in an anonymous white room. Is this a reaction to the lack of privacy we feel today? Or is it just indicative of the fact that it was shot in a professional studio rather in a band member's basement?
P.S.: I'm thinking of turning this into a recurring feature, what d'ya think?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Just Some Fun Vids.
My goal this term is to blog more. But I'm finding it time to sit down and spend quality time on a decent post, so I thought I'd still contribute by providing (I guess) more shallow content. So here are some internet videos that I have happened upon recently that I thought you, the reader, might enjoy.
Got 50 seconds? Remember that blizzard on the east coast this past September? Just a nifty little vid:
Some of you may know I'm an environmentalist. I also dabble in politics. So this just pisses me off. It's long, but John Stewart makes things humorous and interesting:
When I was sick a few weeks ago, I turned on Heydinger's Netflix and I saw that The Cove was a recommended flick in the documentary section. It was only like 1.5 hours, so I watched it. Pretty crazy stuff. But they had this clip in the film, which I still find really amazing:
This is creepy, but hilarious:
Lastly, I've had some fun recently checking out OK GO's music videos. They are the famous treadmill video guys. But they've also made some other cool videos. Here is one that I like - there's not much to it, but its entertaining to watch:
Have a great Sunday, everybody.
MOLSON OUT.
Got 50 seconds? Remember that blizzard on the east coast this past September? Just a nifty little vid:
December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse from Michael Black on Vimeo.
Some of you may know I'm an environmentalist. I also dabble in politics. So this just pisses me off. It's long, but John Stewart makes things humorous and interesting:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| An Energy-Independent Future | ||||
| ||||
When I was sick a few weeks ago, I turned on Heydinger's Netflix and I saw that The Cove was a recommended flick in the documentary section. It was only like 1.5 hours, so I watched it. Pretty crazy stuff. But they had this clip in the film, which I still find really amazing:
This is creepy, but hilarious:
Lastly, I've had some fun recently checking out OK GO's music videos. They are the famous treadmill video guys. But they've also made some other cool videos. Here is one that I like - there's not much to it, but its entertaining to watch:
Have a great Sunday, everybody.
MOLSON OUT.
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