Friday, July 18, 2003
MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW PALOOZA
"Crazy" by Dream featuring Loon
Directed by Matthew Rolston
Grade: A-
I thought Dream had broken up, but here they are, traipsing around the desert and memorably bumping and grinding to a totally unmemorable song. Rolston has an able eye and a gift for catchy composition; we don't get enough close-ups, however, to make this as welcome an effort as Dream's previous release, "This Is Me" (directed by Marcus Raboy).
I will also take this moment to say that Melissa Schuman, the best of the Dream girls has left the group to pursue a career in acting. This information is over a year old, but, of course, I thought the band no longer existed, so there you go.
BTW, Loon sucks.
"Why Can't I?" by Liz Phair
Directed by Phil Harder
Grade: A
Liz Phair is like a sexy Aimee Mann, only not quite as good. And the connection makes sense, as Mann's husband, Michael Penn, was a producer on Phair's new album. This is a good, catchy song, with interesting visuals placing Phair in a variety of album cover contexts. I originally started with giving this a B+, but once I started thinking about the song and the visuals, it had to come up a bit, and it's clearly better than Dream. So there you go.
"Crazy" by Dream featuring Loon
Directed by Matthew Rolston
Grade: A-
I thought Dream had broken up, but here they are, traipsing around the desert and memorably bumping and grinding to a totally unmemorable song. Rolston has an able eye and a gift for catchy composition; we don't get enough close-ups, however, to make this as welcome an effort as Dream's previous release, "This Is Me" (directed by Marcus Raboy).
I will also take this moment to say that Melissa Schuman, the best of the Dream girls has left the group to pursue a career in acting. This information is over a year old, but, of course, I thought the band no longer existed, so there you go.
BTW, Loon sucks.
"Why Can't I?" by Liz Phair
Directed by Phil Harder
Grade: A
Liz Phair is like a sexy Aimee Mann, only not quite as good. And the connection makes sense, as Mann's husband, Michael Penn, was a producer on Phair's new album. This is a good, catchy song, with interesting visuals placing Phair in a variety of album cover contexts. I originally started with giving this a B+, but once I started thinking about the song and the visuals, it had to come up a bit, and it's clearly better than Dream. So there you go.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW DU JOUR
"Make Me a Song" by Kiley Dean
Directed by ?
Grade: C-
"The reason we want to lead with [this] single is it's the most innovative record that's probably ever been made," claims producer Timbaland. A shocking statement, and if Timbaland actually believes it, his brain will explode one day soon.
However, it seems that Timbaland is not necessarily speaking of the musical "qualities" of this lackluster song, which like most of his work is competently produced and yet far from inspiring. (It also, bafflingly, features a chorus with the lines "Rock the boat," once sung my Timbaland's protege Aaliyah. Why are these lines in this song? Because Kiley is exhorting Timbaland to write her a similar song; she also begs for something similar to Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On". How 'bout trying to do something original, babe?) "How many people make a record with a song about yourself, the reality of how it all really went down?" he asks. You see, the song is about how it all really went down with Kiley become a, er, star. Oh, you've never heard of her? Well, LaunchCast is doing its best to make sure that doesn't stay true for long.
Does Timbaland really believe this is the first song to present the realities of the singer's life? Timbaland, meet Wesley Willis.
So, what is this? Another cute blonde with a mediocre voice (Dean -- we shan't call her Kiley any more, out of desire to prevent aural confusion with the one and only Kylie -- was once a back-up singer for La Britney) kibbitzes with Timbaland in the studio, singing an utterly forgettable song and performing zero dance moves. After three-and-a-half long minutes of this, a totally new song starts, and we get a dimly lit close-up of our aspiring starlet.
It's an altogether disposable experience, which makes it no different than practically any other pop experience out there. Why any recording company is convinced that this is the material their audience craves is beyond me.
Anyway, I don't know who directed this thing, but it's hardly worth knowing, anyway.
"Make Me a Song" by Kiley Dean
Directed by ?
Grade: C-
"The reason we want to lead with [this] single is it's the most innovative record that's probably ever been made," claims producer Timbaland. A shocking statement, and if Timbaland actually believes it, his brain will explode one day soon.
However, it seems that Timbaland is not necessarily speaking of the musical "qualities" of this lackluster song, which like most of his work is competently produced and yet far from inspiring. (It also, bafflingly, features a chorus with the lines "Rock the boat," once sung my Timbaland's protege Aaliyah. Why are these lines in this song? Because Kiley is exhorting Timbaland to write her a similar song; she also begs for something similar to Missy Elliot's "Get Your Freak On". How 'bout trying to do something original, babe?) "How many people make a record with a song about yourself, the reality of how it all really went down?" he asks. You see, the song is about how it all really went down with Kiley become a, er, star. Oh, you've never heard of her? Well, LaunchCast is doing its best to make sure that doesn't stay true for long.
Does Timbaland really believe this is the first song to present the realities of the singer's life? Timbaland, meet Wesley Willis.
So, what is this? Another cute blonde with a mediocre voice (Dean -- we shan't call her Kiley any more, out of desire to prevent aural confusion with the one and only Kylie -- was once a back-up singer for La Britney) kibbitzes with Timbaland in the studio, singing an utterly forgettable song and performing zero dance moves. After three-and-a-half long minutes of this, a totally new song starts, and we get a dimly lit close-up of our aspiring starlet.
It's an altogether disposable experience, which makes it no different than practically any other pop experience out there. Why any recording company is convinced that this is the material their audience craves is beyond me.
Anyway, I don't know who directed this thing, but it's hardly worth knowing, anyway.
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
PETE YORN
Everyone knows who he is and no one gives a shit.
Everyone knows who he is and no one gives a shit.
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
"Cameltoe" by Fannypack
Directed by Kurt St. Thomas
Grade: Incredible F
I saw this title on LaunchCast and was intrigued. Don't be. I warn you. Incredibly stupid song that tries too hard to be a novelty song. It fails. It's so bad that no one involved deserves to be linked here.
"Cameltoe" by Fannypack
Directed by Kurt St. Thomas
Grade: Incredible F
I saw this title on LaunchCast and was intrigued. Don't be. I warn you. Incredibly stupid song that tries too hard to be a novelty song. It fails. It's so bad that no one involved deserves to be linked here.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
Okay, the only Stone Temple Pilots song I like at all is "Interstate Love Song", which I like a lot. But doesn't it seem like it should somehow just be a little bit better?
Okay, the only Stone Temple Pilots song I like at all is "Interstate Love Song", which I like a lot. But doesn't it seem like it should somehow just be a little bit better?
NOTHING MATTERS
I've been busy and unable to post for over a week. Of course, you are imaginary, so it does not matter.
I've been busy and unable to post for over a week. Of course, you are imaginary, so it does not matter.
