Lately, I've been thinking.
Something screwy typically follows that phrase with me, but I don't think I'm altogether that obtuse on this one.
I've been missing how music video used to be an artform in and of itself. It was a cinematic experience, not just a band miming in front of a background. It was a spectacle of lesser or greater impact, not just an ad for the single or the tour or a vehicle to whitherward move the consumer towards purchase (or at least not as blatantly.) Lately, I've mentioned how M83 has brought this style of videomaking back, but I've been old and wistful for the past glory of "Music TeleVision." Here are a few videos that have really stuck with me over the years:
"Enjoy the Silence" by Depeche Mode
Always admired the composition of images here. That and the "king" symbolism is quite rich.
"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
Just look at all the deep religious imagery here. Fantastic direction. Just all-around exceptional.
"Pictures of You" by The Cure
Yeah, I know it might be an example of "bands miming before a background" but this one is somehow different for me. There's something very genuine about the band's personalities that comes through here, especially when they start joking and laughing, betraying their "gothy" stereotype.
"Janie's Got a Gun" by Aerosmith
David Fincher directed this one. You can see the roots of films like Seven and Fight Club here in this five minute cinematic experience. Moody, violent, and sends a powerful message.
"Wild Boys" by Duran Duran
You knew they were going to be on here. So many great videos to choose from, but I selected "Wild Boys" for its sheer production value and the mixture of genres it represents. Cyberpunk, Mad Max, William Burroughs, and so much more. Plus, Simon literally risked his life on that wheel. But that, gentle reader, is a story for another time.
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