Music Monday: Video Vanguards

There was a long period of time when I refused to watch a single music video. It was becoming an art form devoid of originality, and filled with copycats. But it seems there has been a recent resurgence of quality music videos of late. Check out these new videos, and let's hope that that revolution continues...

Kanye West - Power

This "moving painting" from Mr. West is his Sistine Chapel, and may turn out to be the game-changing video of our generation. I certainly hope so, because the status-quo should no longer be acceptable. About one hundred seconds long, it is somewhat reminiscent of the slow motion video "Flashing Lights" he did back in 2007, but still not quite the same as anything we have seen before. Also, check out the installation from Marco Brambilla that inspired this work.

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Janelle Monae - Cold War

The talented Janelle Monae went a completely different route with her video, and put together an equally amazing piece of art. With a budget that was probably lower than a Happy Meal, one take, and no special effects, she was still able to create one of the most emotionally moving music videos I have ever seen. Watch, rewind, repeat.

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Earl Sweatshirt - Earl

Many of you will recognize this song by Earl Sweatshirt off of his album Earl that I recently reviewed (it was crack). Just some more background information; he is from the group Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All out of Las Angeles, is sixteen years old, and loves rape, coke & couches. Nothing groundbreaking here, but it is an entertaining video.

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Dancing Pigeons - Ritalin

Directed by Tomas Mankovsky, this video is the perfect accompaniment to a wildly emotional song by the Dancing Pigeons. The actors fit their parts perfectly, and tell an ugly story in a beautiful way. For you videographers, the front end was shot on a Canon 7D at 60fps, and the rest was shot on on Phantom (flame thrower at 1000fps & 400fps). This one is a great example of presenting a solid idea through art, but keeping it vague enough to excite the observer's imagination.


-Tycho