Moving Pictures

No, not the excellent Rush album of the same name.

MTV rose, and changed the face of music, yet I think few would argue that it isn't waning. Hell, with Youtube, it's no surprise that very little of MTV is actually music anymore. And yet, in the years preceding the ostensible downfall of the channel, videos were schlocky to say the least.

Youtube has forced videos to be more innovative if they're to be sent over and over. Never mind how the medium is supposed to generate sales. If you don't care about the video, you can just add the song to your playlist. A compelling video still serves the same purpose it always has. That is, to make the track memorable beyond the music and drive sales. But the competition is everything else on Youtube, making the imperative for unusual and creative videos all the more potent.

In fact, there was a gulf between the descent of MTV and the rise of Youtube in which the music video was a pithy concern; of course, hit singles still needed them, but it was only token. The mid-2000s were full of terrible and generic videos. But Youtube has again put a priority on the video.

Although I'm confessedly NOT a Lady Gaga fan, her incredibly lengthy Telephone video is testament to my point. It's of Youtube length, would not have happened without Youtube. Yes, that includes any comparisons you'd hope to make with Thriller.

I'm into it. It's a great creative accessory to a track.

Aaaanyways, follow music videos in the next year or two and you'll see what I mean.

But onto our examples! My mind was totally blown by this video made to a Marina and the Diamonds montage. This epic 10 minute track, excellent cinematography, makeup, and choreography is FAN MADE. Some rich fan, but this really, really impressed me.

I like Marina, and some remixes of her tracks are regulars on my ipod still. Check this video though; you won't regret it.




On the subject of sick music videos, I think I posted this track before, but this Audio Bullys video has a really fun and creative idea behind it.



I can't embed it, but if you'd like to see another crazy video (to a great song) Youtube Hot Chip's "I Feel Better".

Happy watching. And listening.