SO I've scrounged up a batch of my favorite music videos of 2011. I haven't put them in any particular order because I like them for different reasons(hence the letters). For me, my appreciation stems from my obsession with Art Direction, whether it be simple and cheap, or more in depth, trying to capture an environment in which the song can coexist nicely. As you'll see I like videos that are dreamy, nostalgic, surreal, crazy fun, or just spotlight the talent of the musician well. Keep in mind my taste in music is just that, MY taste, so please spread the love and throw out some good videos that I forgot about or missed! Feel free to zoom in if the videos don't expand without linking to youtube.
A) Bounce (Feat. Kelis) by Calvin Harris
I love the strange look of the actor/model they chose, he's great for a character driven video. Also a fun way to have him and the performers interact, not keeping them separate as many videos choose to do.... speaking of....B) Polish Girl By Neon Indian
First let me say I love synth pop, I love the neon lights and constant passions of the 80s and I love humanoid robots that fall in love with humans NUFF said. This is the best kind of art direction, using the bare minimum while still managing to pull hard at my musical heart strings, oh yeah and dat girl look polish.
C)Judas by Lady Gaga
Okay so what? Who doesn't love group choreography? And taking classic religious iconography like Mother Mary's blue robe with red accent and turning it into a ghetto fab biker outfit, that is the BEST. It's just so much fun with the apostles in the beginning. It gets you ready not to take ANYTHING seriously, and its great that she makes spotlights subcultures that dont get no respect like renaissance fairs or bikers bars.... Super campy and over acted, there are some hilarious moments and I love artists who don't mind being laughed at. She also chooses great guys, like Norman Reedus from Boondock Saints as Judas here. However, I have to say I don't like the non-musical interlude, it doesn't do anything.
D) Yes I know by Memory Tapes
Needed to redeem myself there, very Radioheadesque. It is hard to explain, visually amazing, and I love the effects on the lights. It's surreal, it would just be magical but there seems to be some sort of timeline, personal? history here, with the retro images of a woman and a man. I guess someone is falling apart, being seen through, normal perception being effected by emotions, but its so beautifully done I can't tell if any of it is a bad thing.
E) The Look by Metronomy
This is a wonderful studio video focusing on the band. I feel like these videos are hard to do these days or something because people don't see the beauty in it, or maybe bands lack enough character to sustain enough attention? I don't know but its kind of classic. Love the surreal claymation, its cute and funny and vastly underused in the 21st century. The cream coloring is definitely nostalgic (not to mention that bad ass electric organ). Honorable mention in same category to Dum Dum Girls' Bedroom Eyes.
F) Call your Girlfriend by Robyn
In a similar vein...This video consists of ONLY a large empty studio, some sweet powerful lights, and an AMAZING dance performance by Robyn. AND ITS ONLY ONE SHOT! Theyve got a great cinematographer which I respect. I love her outfit too, its perfect, if I could I would wear the exact same thing. Again the simplicity in planning this video has delivered, but of course it depends on the performer and we can all agree Robyn is dependable. I love that she really made this video, she had to learn this whole dance and its movements around this large room(similar to Single Ladies). They also handled the electronic breakdown perfectly.
G) Marriage (Star Slinger Remix) By Gold Panda
This is was created by Artists, seeking out the new and working on a budget, AMEN.
H)Ice Cream(Feat Matias Aguayo) by Battles
You want to know why this is so surreal and well done??? BECAUSE IT WAS DONE BY A TEAM OF SPANISH FILM ARTISTS! So many people have tried to do similar things but this was actually well done! I think it might be because the singer is Spanish that they chose to work with this crew... The choreography part is AMAZING, I could gush all day, its goofy, its sexy, its fun and bright... this is what making visuals to music is about. Makes me feel the apocalypse isn't so near when people are putting in the effort to make work like this happen, sighh.
I)Last Friday Night TGIF by Katy Perry
Amazing Art Direction. I don't care what anyone says, she may be a marshmallow of a woman but damn I love this video. I can not imagine what the budget of this video was because of course they got in their cute gimmicks like cast members of Glee, Rebecca Black, Hanson, and Kenny G!? I don't know what it is but just the fact that they put that floral runner down the stairs in the foyer completes any sort of nostalgia they were trying to evoke for the late 80s early 90s in me. APPLAUSE. And to be honest Katy Perry does a great job acting through the story line, she rocks those 2 tone shoes and braces! Wardrobe did a great job with the clothes.... I don't really watch the acting part that follows though, that's just too much.
J)She Wants by Metronomy
Dark surrealism....MMMMMMMm. I like the main girl, she's totes approachable. The obvious:great backwards forwards loop going on. I love the vignettes though, also slightly 80's with lighting, and reminds me of diaoramas at the Natural Museum of History. The clock rotation is also a cool touch in this strange place. Just a great visual realization for this song.
Welp, thats all folks, I hope you've been entertained or found something new you like!
