Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Director of the Month : Jonathan Glazer

Now you are going to see a number of videos through which I will try to introduce you to the creative genius and the brilliant mind of Jonathan Glazer, the originator of more than a few pieces of art which in all facets are dignified representations of the songs they depict.
If you have seen the latest Sony BRAVIA TV ad, that featured paint exploding all over the tower blocks in Glasgow then you know you are supposed to watch each and every masterwork on this list.

Self-explanatory videos, therefore, no comments (just a line or two from the lyrics to remind you…)

Live with me – Massive Attack
Feb 2006

Either way, win or lose,
When you're born into trouble you live the blues



A Song for the Lovers – Richard Ashcroft
Mar 2000

Can't you see
I'm moving like a train into some foreign land I ain't
Got a ticket for this ride but I will

Rabbit in your Headlights – U.N.K.L.E feat. Thom Yorke
Nov 1998

Thin rubber gloves
She laughs when she's crying
She cries when she's laughing

Karma Police –Radiohead
Aug 1997

Karma police, arrest this girl, her Hitler hairdo, is making me feel ill
And we have crashed her party



Into my arms – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Feb 1997

And I believe in Love
And I know that you do too
And I believe in some kind of path
That we can walk down, me and you
So keep your candle burning
And make her journey bright and pure
That she will keep returning
Always and evermore

Cosmic Girl – Jamiroquai
Jan 1997

I've must have died and gone to heaven
Cos it was a quarter past eleven
On a Saturday in 1999
Right across on where I'm standing
On a dance floor she was landing
It was clear that she was from another time
Like some Baby Barbarella with the stars as her umbrella
She asked me if I'd like to magnetize
Do I have to go star-trekking
Cos it's you I should be checking
So she laser beamed me with her cosmic eyes


Virtual Insanity-Jamiroquai
Aug 1996

Now there's no sound if we all live underground
And now it's virtual insanity




Street Spirit(Fade Out) -
Radiohead
Feb 1996

Rows of houses, all bearing down on me
I can feel their blue hands touching me
All these things into position
All these things we'll one day swallow whole
And fade out again and fade out
Immerse your soul in love
IMMERSE YOUR SOUL IN LOVE


The Universal – Blur

Nov 1995

Every paper that you read
Says tomorrow’s your lucky day

Well, here’s your lucky day


Karmacoma - Massive Attack Feat. Tricky
May 1995

You sure you want to be with me
I've nothing to give
Wont lie and say this lovins best
Leave us in emotional peace
Take a walk, taste the rest


-The End

Saturday, February 24, 2007

Remember E.B.T.G.

"It's All True"
Tracey Thorn's first single from the solo album "Out Of The Woods" which is due to come out in March 2007.



When it comes to "Everything But The Girl" I recommend the following songs and videos.

"Temperamental"


"Single"-My absolute favorite

Bloc Party

"The Party"

The first single from the upcoming album " A Weekend In The City"
Awesome!!!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Mars Volta

"L'Via L'Viaquez"

The Mars Volta is the creative partnership between Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala. In June 2003 their first full-length album De-Loused In The Comatorium was released. That album was a tribute to Julio Venegas who was their mentor and who commited suicide in 1996.
The Mars Volta’s second album, Frances The Mute was released in March 2005 and again it was inspired by the memory of their departed friend Jeremy Ward.
After these followed "Scabdates" in November 2005 and "Amputecture" in September 2006.
The following video is from the album "Frances The Mute" and represents the best from both: video and audio. I highly recommend it.

Thom Yorke

"Videotape"

The Eraser is the first solo album of Thom Yorke (Radiohead). It was released on the independent label XL Recordings in July 2006. This solo project does not mean that he is leaving Radiohead and thank God for that. I personally like this experimental album which is "more beats and electronics..", as Thom Yorke said.

The Decemberists

"O Valencia"

I bet you never considered The Decemberists to be "gangster" and you have never seen them in this light. This is the latest video from the album Crane Wife (which is excellent btw), and is almost 10min long, but don't worry every second is worth the while. The confusion after watching the video is almost guaranteed but I guess that's the way it is supposed to be.

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

The Fantastic Four

The following four videos represent the very best of 2006....

Hot Chip - Over & Over
Directed by Nima Nourizadeh


Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before The Lights Come On
Directed by John Hardwick


Boards Of Canada-Dayvan Cowboy
Directed by Melissa Olson


Basement Jaxx - Take Me Back To Your House
Directed by Douglas Wilson

Banned Videos

Curious like I am, I always try to find videos that for some reason have been banned or haven't been aired. I'll start with few and I will keep updating the list regularly so don't forget to return and check the new ones out.

Daft Punk - Prime Time Of Your Life

Probably the best video of 2006, but banned on most music channels. Directed by Tony Gardener who also directed Michael Jackson's "Thriller". If you have seen"Little Miss Sunshine" you have one more reason to watch it.



Faithless - BOMBS

This is the latest Faithless video which MTV refused to broadcast and I found million reasons for that, but the main reason is that none wants to see the grim reality of things.


Aphex Twin - Come to Daddy


The notorious video that will go in history as the most controversial of its time. It is a video that you don't forget.



Marilyn Manson - (s)AINT

I am not a Marilyn Manson fan but this video deserved to be on the banned list. Explicit lyrics, nudity, violence, drugs and much more. So, if you are under 18 or you simply do not want to see Mr. Manson pushing the limits I advise you to move on to the other music videos.

Royksopp

What else is there.

A Norwegian duo called Röyksopp and their best video so far. Martin De Thurah is a young Danish director who stands behind this beautiful and haunting mystery.

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

15ft of pure white snow

Nick Cave once said: There are no voices in the back of my mind saying "You really could have done this better", and I totally agree.