[MUSIC] THE SAVAGE ANIMAL "Music Videos in Review [Winter 2012]"
02.01.12
BY MIKEY MIGO
As I get longer in the tooth I find myself becoming that older music fan who’s always saying “back in MY day”. Sadly, I think it’s inevitable. We can’t keep up with what’s young and cool forever. Eventually we’ll all date ourselves to a certain music style or era. Hell, just the fact that I said “longer in the tooth” would be enough for a younger version of me to mock current me. It’s just a weird place to be. I know, accept, and can generally live with the fact that I’m not always going to be up to date with shit. There are going to be pop songs I don’t know until they’re charting high on Billboard. There is going to be scenes that are probably considered “outdated” already by the time I even hear of them. There’s just too much going on to be on top of EVERYTHING.
One way to remedy this is to do some homework. That’s what I’m doing today. This is my “keeping up with the kids” refresher class. I’m going to take a look at some of the more popular music videos from the past few months.
I hope I’m not too late…
”Synthesizers" by Butch Walker
I’ve never heard of Butch Walker and The Black Widows. The opening of the video features “Wooderson” from “Dazed and Confused”! This is awesome. I’m a big fan of that movie and this appearance was pretty surprising. I don’t know how I missed this one. He sings the lyrics and rocks out with the same swagger he did close to twenty years ago when that movie was released. I have nothing but love for this. The song would probably be fun without the great video. It’s a fun throwback pop rock song. The chorus reminds me of “Come On Irene” though for some reason. It’s still a nifty diddy. Any time you can see Wooderson playing a brass instrument is cool with me. It’s well shot and very cool.
”Trip the Darkness" by Lacuna Coil
I haven’t heard Lacuna Coil since their cover of the Depeche Mode song a few years back. Hell, they may have even released an album or two since then for all I know. The band rocks out in a white back dropped space. We’re slowly introduced to a negative version of the band’s attire and look. The backdrop is black and their black clothes are white. It’s like they’re playing and singing at each other. It’s a really simple concept, but it’s still creative. I can’t think of another other video quite like this one. The song is pretty decent too. Overall, I’m impressed. Decent dark rock in 2012? I didn’t think it was possible.
”Am I a Psycho?" by Tech N9ne featuring B.o.B and Hopsin
I’ve always been a supporter of Tech N9ne. I’m not so much into the “scene” that he’s in, but since I saw him on a support stage at the Sprite Liquidfest Tour years back with Jay Z, 311, NERD, and others. That was like 2001 or 2002. Over the years it’s like I’ve grown apart from Tech’s work. Around the time of the album “Everready” was when I stopped keeping up with Tech. A friend would pop in and tell me that Tech released another album and I’ll check out the occasional video. To me, the beats and music lost its imagination and rawness. It evolved into a more polished more genre-specific product. Still, I’m always going to support him making his art and I’m still going to check in from time to time. This video is cool. I’ve enjoyed other tracks of Tech more, but this is EASILY the best Tech N9ne video I’ve seen. The direction is great. The editing is great. It doesn’t have that cheaper grittier feel as his older stuff. This is just really well done. I like this song too. Consider me interested. Mr. N9ne, you and I have some catching up to do…
”We Are Young (Featuring Janelle Monae)" by fun.
I have no idea who “fun.” is. I don’t understand why there is a period at the end of the word/band name or why it’s lowercased. I can already tell it’s going to be “edgy” because of this whole awkward name thing. I was wrong about all of that though. They’re a pretty calm pop-rock group. The video looks decent though. It’s well crafted and I enjoy the slow-motion carnage. The problem is that the song and the video are pretty forgettable. They sound like a well polished Jimmy Eat World B-side with a cool guest spot from Janelle Monae. I keep hearing about her. This was also my first impression of her. She has a nice voice, but I still need to hear it in her own work.
”Let's Roll" by YelaWolf featuring Kid Rock
I came across YelaWolf’s videos on youtube right around the time he was starting to get major buzz. Over the past few months I’ve seen this dude’s name in a lot of magazines and on a lot of blogs. He’s apparently the next thing in hip hop. I’m not against it. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve heard and can see a lot of potential in this dude. Kid Rock is and always will be a guilty pleasure and I think he’s a talented dude so this should be good. It’s a bit of a disappointment. There just isn’t anything going on here. It feels like just a bunch of shots with a lot of shots of mud riding. There just isn’t any narrative in this. The shots are nothing too different than an old Bubba Sparxxx video or really any dirty south/country rap stuff. It feels authentic and everything, but the videos of Yela out there from before this is better. This sounds watered down.
”Everybody Talks" by Neon Trees
I know I’ve listened to an album by Neon Trees in the past year or two. The thing is that I don’t remember it. They had absolutely no lasting effect on me. They sound like a lot of bands. A poor man’s Strokes maybe? The video is “pop arty” with the lyrics and the simple image shots and “ironic dancing”. It’s not so much that it’s “bad”. It’s too “everything now” without having a genuine move in their game. I don’t know if I’m being too critical, but how can anyone really REALLY like this? Is there ANYONE out there that’d say “Neon Trees is my favorite band!” that’s not from a nearby hometown or friends or connected to the band in some way?
”Comeback Kid" by Sleigh Bells
Like Neon Trees, I know I listened to an album by Sleigh Bells in the past year or two. However I remember them fondly. This is an interesting band that’s still fresh on the mainstream scene. I dig their art. The video is “quirky” and fits the whole “fun in the sun independent” vibe I got from their other stuff. The song is bouncy and while it’s just “a collection of shots”, it’s still well done. The shots are interesting and fit the attitude of the song.
”Party 2.0" by Dr. Acula
The only “Dr. Acula” I’ve ever heard of was the on-going movie project Zach Braff’s character from “Scrubs”. His low-budget independent movie project was an ongoing reference. I can’t imagine this band’s name is a coincidence. It’s growl metal! I expected an indie band. It’s decent metal. I enjoy the melody and any video that referenced Pee-Wee Herman and shows vintage erotica is cool with me. Hipster metal? Is that what this is? I need an education on these guys and look forward to the schooling.
”Young, Wild and Free" by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa featuring Bruno Mars
I don’t get the appeal of Wiz Khalifa. He seems okay and cool and all of that, but musically I’ve heard nothing special from him at all. So he repeated two colors over and over again and smokes a lot of weed. And? So now Snoop is making an album with him? Yeeesh. Harsh? Yes. Am I being judgmental? Sure. I’m just being honest. The video was stupid. Lame golf stuff and lame drive-in stuff. And is that Andy Milinakis? Lame. I am an avid supporter of weed smoking and stoner-related songs, movies, tv shows, and jokes. This song just sucks. It sucks in an insulting way. It’s like it’s a parody of itself. I need to forget about this one. Lots of weed will be needed.
“Ruffneck” by Skrillex
I’ve been hearing the kids talk about “dub step” for awhile. I finally checked it out to see what they specifically meant. Basically, it’s industrial techno. It sounds like every remind Nine Inch Nails ever released. It’s like a robot beat boxing while having bad indigestion. Still, I AM an industrial fan and I like this stuff, but I know what it is. I like the beat and the music here. I really do need to check this guy’s work out. Anyone got any suggestions on what to start with? A video with a bad ass Santa and elf? Insane. This is a trippy, creative, and really well done music video. This is the type of music video that used to win MTV awards before TRL showed up. It reminds me of a Apex Twins or even Prodigy video. THIS is the Santa you owe a fist-bump and a blunt hit to for that Super Nintendo you got back in the day.
What recent video did I miss out on? Feel free to share!
BLOGS
- DLP News - The Savage Animal - Random Movie Review - rant/n/rave - PreView:ReView - Worst Case
Scenario
