Welcome to the (unofficial) music video discussion thread. I never really understood the importance (or any importance) of music videos; I always thought that music videos were solely for promotional purposes and not an outlet for anyone’s artistic tendencies. But ever since I saw David Fincher’s Freedom ‘90 (possibly the first music video I saw that was directed by a famous person), I realized that music videos were more than just cash grabs. This forum is basically for two things than can benefit either of us: discussion (for you) and learning (for me). So, without further ado, let’s get on with our first video discussion for the day:

Snoop Dogg’s Sensual Seduction (dir. Melina and Steven Johnson)

Why: Because it’s fun as hell. 2000s Snoop Dogg in an 80s style video is a match made in heaven.

I have seen the video before, but never really got all the references and stuff. Now that I’ve seen it again four years later, here’s what I say. From the moment the remote (off-screen) presses PLAY to the moment where we STOP, the video recalls what Grindhouse did to 70s exploitation movies. But while the movie roughly-handled the styles and details in that it’s almost close to rape, the music video feels affectionate and respectful to the videos it’s trying to pay homage to in comparison. It looks playful, too, having fun with its star wipes and kaleidoscopic images (When Doves Cry reference, I think), and the fact that the song is anachronistic (Auto-Tune in the 80s? Really?). Pastiche has never looked so fun.

P.S. If you’re wondering why Snoop has a tube in his mouth, you and me both.

Never mind what I said about it being anachronistic, I now remember how Roger Troutman-y the video looks like and Troutman was a human Auto-Tune. Now I love this video even more.

Eh sorry, I don’t think I’m much interested in a Snoop Dog video. But do you want to talk about Michel Gondry’s videos? I’m game for that.

Tomorrow, it’s gonna go down.

Alright, looks like we got a lot done on Thursday. Here’s another video I’m putting up for discussion.

Foo Fighters’ Everlong (dir. Michel Gondry)

Why: Because DownByLaw requested it. And it’s a GOOD music video.

Never been a big fan of music videos… That being said, here’s my favorite:

I’m not a huge fan in general, but I think there are many that merit analysis. I am a fan of that particular Foo Fighters video, and it comes from a time when I actually enjoyed their music. Didn’t realize Gondry directed. I’ll definitely watch it and see if I have anything to add here.

Cool.

If you have any interest at all in Gondry’s music videos, then it is worth watching The Work of Director Michel Gondry which came out in 2003.

I’ve gotta run now, but I’ll have something to say about that Foo Fighters later. And a video from The Replacements sounds interesting—looking forward to checking that out.

And a video from The Replacements sounds interesting—looking forward to checking that out.

It’s the ultimate anti-music video =)

haha that’s my fave video too, j, ^

‘take it, it’s yours’

thanks. it sort of embodies their whole career :P

Today’s music video discussion for the day:

NOTHING!

Y’all can shoot the shit! It’s a weekend; have fun, spend time with your family, call your mother or something!

Heh, the Replacements video was interesting—clever to give us a nice out of focus view of the shoe that does the kicking.

@The Dude, I hadn’t forgotten about your Foo Fighters. That video really shows some of the preoccupations that Gondry came back to in feature films. I like how he mixes “layers of reality” as in the phone call between dream life and waking life. Something that I don’t remember noticing in that video before is the blurring water streaks that are used to cut between scenes. Is that a technique that had been used before? Anyway, it is effective for this dream story.

@downbylaw: I forgot, too. You can pick the music video discussion tomorrow.

Ok. Well here’s one where I like both the song and the video quite a lot:

The Raveonettes “Black/White”