Iconic Music Videos

For this post on Genre Buzzword, I want to take a look at music videos. I realize the title of my last post was a little misleading, as it was not about music videos, so I wanted to fix that by talking a little bit about music videos and ones that I think are pretty iconic.

I just want to start out by saying that I know music videos are still around. There have been some pretty impressive ones as of late (both the short and film versions of Kanye West's "Runaway" come to mind), but it seems like music videos have sort of lost the power they once held as a medium. For example, I personally don't think we will ever see a music video that had the sort of significance and impact that Michael Jackson's "Thriller" had. There was also a period of time from the 90's into the new millennium where some famous directors such as Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze and Hype Williams churned out some of the most memorable music videos. I remember when these directors but out a new music video, it was like an event. There would be big premieres for it on MTV and then you would see it all the time. Now that cable music channels have started cutting back on airing music videos except earlier in the morning, that sort of event phenomena seems to have gone away, or at least shifted over to the Internet.

I always loved music videos and when I used to catch them on MTV, VH1 or The Box, I would sometimes end up liking a song because it had a creative music video that caught my attention. I think that a good music video is one that enhances the song and makes it even more memorable for listeners, and occasionally the music video becomes even more popular than the song itself (The main reason I like the song "Sabotage" is the music video).

Here are some of my favorite music videos. Feel free to list your favorites in the replies!

Sabotage was directed by Spike Jonze and the video is the opening credits for a fictional 70's police drama show. This is probably my all time favorite music video due to the creative idea behind the video and the humor behind it. It's got everything car chases, foot chases and a few fights sprinkled in.

One of my favorite songs and I love this video by Michel Gondry. Great cinematography as most of the music video takes place in dream sequences and an interesting plot that has some Inception qualities to it.

Another Spike Jonze music video. The main reason why I love this video, and why I think many people love this video, is that it takes place entirely in the "Happy Days" universe. Awesome video that fits the feel of the song perfectly.

I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan, but I have to admit this is the best and most popular music video. It had a huge impact on music.

Nostalgia, Music Videos and the 90's

Ah, the 90's. Everyone has their favorite decade for music and for me, there is no greater decade than the 90's. I realize there are amazing musicians that came in previous decades, and I even enjoy them, but there is just something about 90's music that seems to hold my interest the most. I am sure the main reason that is the case is the nostalgia factor that comes out of growing up with this music and constantly hearing it on the radio. Earlier in the decade, when I was still very young, I remember watching videos on MTV with my dad (back before every show on there was some reality show nonsense and they still played music videos) and waiting to hear my favorite songs come on the radio.

 I still listen to many of these songs and I seem to be perpetually stuck in that time. I still listen to new artists and find new favorites, but it seems like the bulk of the music I listen to comes from the 90's. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade and wish I was a teenager back then. Oh well. Below are some of my favorite songs from the 90's that define the decade for me. One Hit Wonders, A Few Hit Wonders and everything in between.

What decade of music is your favorite? What are some songs from when you were younger that you still listen to or get excited when it comes on the radio? Feel free to list them in the replies!

Better Than Ezra "Good" - I just love this song. I used to listen to it on the radio every single time it came on. Still sounds great.

Spin Doctors "Two Princes" - Another song I used to listen to constantly. I always made my mom leave it on when it came on the radio. I recently found the CD at a yard sale and still listened to it. No I am not ashamed to say I still think this song is incredible.

Sister Hazel "All For You"

Spacehog "In The Meantime"

Radiohead Have Done It Again

Radiohead has done it again. According to Pitchfork, Radiohead will be releasing their new album "The King of Limbs" on February 19^th. That is this weekend! After revolutionizing the way music is consumed with In Rainbows, many were wondering how the band would be able to top that and if they would try to follow a similar distribution model. This time around, however, the band has scrapped the pay-what-you-want model, but they have kept up the deluxe packaging. Oddly enough, as a fan of Radiohead, I was not even really interested in what the package would be like or how many songs would make up "The King of Limbs". I was just totally floored that the album was coming out so soon.

This is the second album in a row that Radiohead have announced just before the date it was to be released. In an age where music is leaked months in advance and people can report news and rumors in a split second, it is amazing how Radiohead was able to keep this album under wraps. This is a band that has dedicated fans and yet for the second time they were able to completely blindside fans with news of a new album. At this point you may be asking yourself, “Why is this such a big deal?” Well, as I mentioned earlier, music is available almost instanteously and we have lost the feeling of waiting months and even years for a new album. Radiohead has somehow managed to do the impossible, or at least what is impossible for major labels, and that is stopping leaks and building buzz for their album outside of traditional channels.

Another reason something like this is so huge is that Radiohead isn’t just another small band looking for a way to grab people’s attention. They are a highly respected group that has also sold a significant amount of records, and they are only building their legacy by utilizing creative marketing techniques to further help their career. You would think with the success the band has had lately with their new approach to music distribution would rub off on record companies who are losing money at a rapid pace, but sadly that is not happening.

I will say that as a music journalist, it is a little disheartening to have an album come out of the blue like this. One of the many perks of writing about music is getting to listen to albums way in advance. However, the thrill of getting albums months before they are released wears off after awhile and it is refreshing to be totally surprised by an album. So for those who don’t listen to Radiohead, would you rather your favorite band talk their new album to death before it even comes out and sit around waiting for it to come out or have them release an album totally out of the blue? For those who do listen to Radiohead, what are your thoughts on their distribution system?

Some Concerts That Defined My Life

After a pretty extended absence, I have decided to revive Genre Buzzword. What better way to kick off the restarting of this blog then to look back at two of my favorite concerts, starting with the first concert I ever got to visit and ending with the concert where I decided to marry my soon to be wife.

The first show that I ever got to see was Rage Against The Machine, which was around 1999 when I was in the 5th grade. My dad got me what is to this day the greatest birthday gift I have ever gotten: two tickets to see Rage Against The Machine in Philadelphia. My dad waited outside in line to get these tickets even though it was super cold outside for what would end up being the last Rage Against The Machine show in Philadelphia. I was so excited to see the show that it seemed it took forever for the weeks to pass until the actual show. I remember when the night of the show finally arrived and my dad and I were finally sitting in our seats and I was so excited that my stomach had butterflies in them.

Finally, when Rage Against The Machine took the stage, they unleashed one of the most powerful performances I have seen to this day. They poured every ounce of energy into that performance and Zach De La Rocha went absolutely insane on stage. The stadium went absolutely crazy and you had people leaping ten to fifteen feet from the stands over the barricades to make it into the mosh pit and before long complete pandemonium broke loose and there were chairs flying everywhere. Most kids my age would have been terrified but I remember thinking that this was the coolest thing I have ever seen and from that day forward I was completely immersed in music. I remember after that concert I used to wear my Rage Against The Machine t-shirt constantly in elementary school and the beginning of middle school which made people think I was crazy, but I didn't care.

However the concert that sticks out the most in my mind was a performance that I didn't really care about. It was when I went to a concert out in the woods with my then girlfriend and her brother to see a band called XYZ at a campground. Apparently, the band had a few hits in the '80s, but I mostly went to hang out with friends and generally have a good time. The campground was an absolute mess. It had rained the night before, so the ground was nothing but mud. Grabbing drinks and trying to find a bathroom was a grueling experience as every step you took, your shoes would get sucked down into the muck and your shoes were constantly getting ripped off your feet with every step.

It was one of the most magical nights of my life. Despite all the mud, bands I didn't really care for and hot temperatures, the three of us were having a blast. Finally night fell and as XYZ were playing one of their many hits, my then girlfriend and I decided that we wanted to get married. Shouting over the roaring crowd and loud music, we talked about how much we cared for each other and decided right then and there that we wanted to get married. Even though I didn't like the music, that moment made this concert hands down the best one ever.

I am sure many people are at least aware of Rage Against The Machine, so I will post the band that was playing when I decided to get married because it's pretty hilarious.

Thoughts on Autolux "Transit Transit"

Almost six years after the release of their critically acclaimed full-length, "Future Perfect", Autolux finally released their sophmore effort "Transit Transit" in August. Upon first hearing "Future Perfect", I was utterly blown away. The band took shoegaze, indie-rock, noise and countless other genres and blended them together to create a futuristic sound that laid waste to their peers. The album was like nothing I have ever heard before and Autolux keeps up their trend of throwing curveballs with "Transit Transit".

"Audience No. 2", which was released as a single almost two years before "Transit Transit" dropped, was the only song I allowed myself to listen to before the album was released. I wasn't able to see the band live and I refused to spoil the wait by watching Youtube videos with poor sound quality. Listening to "Audience No. 2", I expected Autolux to continue on the path they blazed with "Future Perfect" and only making small tweaks here and there since the track could have very easily fit on the tracklisting for that album. Instead, Autolux made some significant overhauls to their sound. The album opens with the self-titled track that does away with reverb-laden guitars and heavy bass lines and instead focuses on a skittering percussion loop and minimalistic piano. Definitely did not expect to hear anything like that. Another odd turn was "Highchair", which found Autolux using more electronic elements than they have in the past. The song utilizes these electronic beat to create a hypnotic dance groove that was nonexistent in the band's past.

"Spots" is a piano-led ballad that creates a slower, more organic sound then what the band is known for. There is almost a vintage pop feel to the track, which is odd because Autolux always seemed like a band that focused more on reverb and favored a noisier approach to their songs. However, there are tracks that recall their previous works such as "Audience No. 2" and the infectiously catchy yet ominous "Census". However, there are moments where Autolux's attempts to expand their sound are not nearly as jarring as "Transit Transit" or "Spots", such as "Headless Sky" and "The Science of Imaginary Solutions". "Headless Sky" opens with  heavy, calculated guitar riffs that repeat throughout the track and this creates a great contrast to the quieter more melodic flourishes occurring with the riffs as a backdrop. "Headless Sky" is easily one of my favorite tracks on the album and as always Carla Azar's drum work is stellar. This could be a surprise candidate on many best of lists later in the year.

It's That Time of Year Again

Let me preface this blog entry by saying that I love Christmas and everything that comes with it. I love spending time with my family, the presents, the food and even the absolutely brutal winter weather. I also like that it is close to my birthday, but that is beside the point. However, there is one thing about Christmas that irritates me and I guess it is unfair because the thing that irritates me occurs as early as the end of October. I hate Christmas music.

Now, I can listen to Christmas music on the week of Christmas and it is enjoyable because it gets me excited about the upcoming big day. What I can't stand is radio stations thinking that it is a good idea to begin playing Christmas songs in the beginning of November. I think it is absurd that radio stations feel the need to satisfy their urge to play "Jingle Bells" and "Deck The Halls" before I even have a chance to put my Halloween costume away for the year. Another reason this gets on my nerves is because it reminds me that stores across the country trot out their Christmas decorations earlier every year. It has gotten to the point where some stores place their Christmas decorations and other yuletide paraphernalia a stones throw away from Halloween costumes and candy. Hey, why stop there? Why not trot out your Christmas trees and fake snow in the middle of the summer so that when it is over 100 degrees outside, I can at least pretend I am at the North Pole?

As I stated earlier, it isn't that I hate Christmas music entirely. I just think there is a fine line between a week's worth of it to get you in the holiday spirit and a month and half Christmas music marathon that drives you crazy after hearing "Dominick The Donkey" and "Jingle Bells" over a hundred times. I avoid the radio around this time every year to prevent Christmas music overload, but there are times when that is not possible whether it is because a store is playing it or you are in the car with someone else.

That being said, what are some of your favorite Christmas songs? Do you prefer traditional songs or covers of those songs by your favorite musicians?

Candidates for my Best of 2010 list

One of the worst times of the year for a music journalist is the months leading up to and including December. This is when the dreaded "Best of" lists are created. You would think that slapping together a list of your favorite 20 records from any given year would be a piece of cake. But you would also be wrong. I am sure every writer has their own thoughts on these and how they approach them, and many may argue with me that it is difficult to put together. However, my experiences have proven that most music writers agonize over their lists and try to justify which album gets which spot on the list. The easiest part is from about 11-20, usually those albums could be shuffled all over the place within those limits and it wouldn't make a bit of difference. The problem comes when you hit the top 10, particularly trying to chose between what album is ranked second and which one is ranked first.

Then to top it off, you may include other sections to your list such as "Most Disappointing Albums", "Best New Band" and "Most Anticipated Releases of Next Year". There is just so much music that comes across your desk that sitting down to sift through everything seems impossible. The funny thing is that you spend hours tweaking your lists, but if you revisit that list in a year, chances are you probably won't even listen to half of those records anymore.

That being said, it is almost that time of year again, and here are three of my favorite albums that will be sure to appear somewhere on my end of the year list.
Spoon "Transference" - I have heard mixed opinions about this album. Many people seem to love it while others seem to see "Transference" as an album Spoon has already done before and are pissed the band didn't seem to move in a new direction. Personally, I think "Transference" is a great album. It is one that initially seems like "just" another Spoon album, but the songwriting is excellent and there are little details that grab my interest and keep me coming back for more. Britt Daniels is an incredible songwriter and proves it time and time again across the band's latest albums. In my opinion, one of the best American indie-rock bands today.
Highlights: "Written In Reverse", "Trouble Comes Running", "Out Go The Lights"

The National "High Violet" - The Brooklyn-based band started their career trajectory like many fledgling indie bands, releasing their own albums and quietly building a dedicated fan base. That is where the similarities end. The release of their third album "Alligator" on reputable label Beggars Banquet found the band receiving praise from virtually every media outlet and even gained the attention of Bruce Springsteen. Although they were not household names yet, this is the album that set the wheels in motion. They followed "Alligator" with "Boxer", an album with extreme focus and is filled with emotion. This album catapulted them into the limelight and "High Violet" finds them picking up right where they left off. The album is haunting and has just enough subtle changes that differentiate it from being "Boxer II". This is a band that gets better with each release and if you haven't been paying attention before "High Violet", now is the time to start.
Highlights: "Afraid of Everyone", "Bloodbuzz Ohio", "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks"

The Gaslight Anthem "American Slang" - Seeing The Gaslight Anthem break into the mainstream is something I was not expecting. Sure, they wrote great songs and everyone seemed to be in love with "The '59 Sound", but a majority of their fans were interested in punk rock and magazines and websites that covered punk rock were where they were winning most of their praise. The release of "American Slang" changed all of that. Now the band has been hearing praise even from more mainstream media outlets, they were making television appearances and playing in huge festivals. People may still criticize the band for sounding like they took too many cues from Bruce Springsteen, but the fact is "American Slang" is one of the best rock records of the year.
Highlights: "American Slang", "The Diamond Church Street Choir", "We Did It When We Were Young"