Battle of the Music Videos

[Spinal]

I figured I'd be the only one to nominate it.

You were.

[B-side]

Enjoyed all 3 songs, particularly the Mew song. I've heard it numerous times before, though. The lead singer is adorable. So is the female romantic interest.

We're voting on videos, though, so my vote is for Gabriel.

[B-side]

Rather liked all of them, actually. Tempted to vote for "Sabrina" if only by virtue of its striking imagery. The Bjork video is the best of hers I've seen, so I'd want it to be the one of hers to go far, but that doesn't appear to be happening.

I guess I'll go ahead and vote for it anyway, despite my love for that DJ Format video.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

That Chris Isaak song/video is one of those things that triggers memories of a very specific time and place. I really like the others as well, but I have to give in to nostalgia on this one.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Mr. Oizo

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Mew

[Killed_by_Smalls]

I was also surprisingly enthralled by the dancing mascots.

DJ Format.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Chris Isaak. I have to support my lone suggestion in this battle.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Mr. Oizo. I was sold as soon as the puppet started head-banging to the beat.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Pearl Jam, for purely nostalgic reasons.

[Kurosawa Fan]

DJ FORMAT!

[chrisnu]

Chris Isaak.

[chrisnu]

Chris Dane Owens.

This should be a video illustration in the dictionary under "narcissistic."

[Spinal]

Chris Isaak 9
Royksopp 6
Armi and Danny 2

Chris Isaak - Wicked Game

[Thirdmango]

dang, I could only do one this time round, too busy. I hope to have time to do all four this time.

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Land of Confusion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU9lv_WqK6k)

Artist: Genesis

Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band is currently comprised of the longest-tenured members Phil Collins (lead vocals and drums), Mike Rutherford (guitar and bass guitar), and Tony Banks (keyboards). Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett also played major roles in the band in its early days. Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists of all time with approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide. Genesis began as a 1960s pop band playing moody, simple keyboard-driven melodies. During the 1970s, they evolved into a progressive rock band, incorporating complex song structures and elaborate instrumentation, while their concerts became theatrical experiences with innovative stage design, pyrotechnics, elaborate costumes and onstage stories. In the 1980s, the band produced accessible pop music based on melodic hooks.


VS.

Pork and Beans (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muP9eH2p2PI)

Artist: Weezer

Weezer is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1992. Initially, the band consisted of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, lead guitar), Patrick Wilson (drums, guitar, backing vocals), Matt Sharp (bass, backing vocals), and Jason Cropper (rhythm guitar, backing vocals). Cropper was later replaced by Brian Bell. Matt Sharp was subsequently replaced by Mikey Welsh who was later replaced with Scott Shriner. Weezer recorded their debut album with producer Ric Ocasek at Electric Lady Studios in New York City. Soon after the release of Weezer (the first of three self-titled albums) a DJ, Marco Collins, on the Seattle radio station, The End, started playing "Undone - The Sweater Song" after hearing of their semi-success in California, which led their record label to release "Undone - The Sweater Song" as the first official single.

VS.

There is a Light That Never Goes Out (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INgXzChwipY)

Artist: The Smiths

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey (vocals) and Johnny Marr (guitar), the band also included Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Critics have called them the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s, and the group has had a major influence on subsequent artists. Morrissey's lovelorn tales of alienation found an audience amongst youth culture bored by the ubiquitous synthesizer-pop bands of the early 1980s, while Marr's complex melodies helped return guitar-based music to popularity in Britain. Although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together, and never released a single that charted higher than number 10 in their home country, The Smiths won a growing following, and remain cult favorites. The band broke up in 1987 amid disagreements between Morrissey and Marr and have turned down several offers to reform since then.

[Spinal]

Voting kind of tight here. I will leave it open a little longer.

[ledfloyd]

i had never seen land of confusion before, but it gets my vote.

[Spinal]

Going to extend this one as well.

[chrisnu]

Peter Gabriel as a pimp.

[Winston*]

Mew.

[Spinal]

The Weezer video amuses me, but it is too reliant on catching the in-jokes. It already feels more dated than the much older Genesis video, which also contains pop culture references but is mostly preoccupied with delivering a message about the escalating tensions and danger in the world. I don't think you would even have to recognize the identity of the puppets for it to work, though it certainly helps. The Smiths' video barely registered for me. Didn't really care for the look.

Genesis

[Spinal]

DJ Format 9
Bjork 2
Einstürzende Neubauten 3

DJ Format - We Know Something You Don't

[chrisnu]

The video by Einstürzende Neubauten is fantastic.

[dreamdead]

Never thought I'd actually be voting for the Genesis video in a round, but the Weezer video doesn't grab me, and the Smiths vid leaves no impression whatsoever. Still, I want it known. That's some ugly, ugly puppetry.

[Watashi]

Weezer for the G.I. Joe meme alone.

The Genesis video is scarier than any Aphex Twin video.

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Falling to Pieces (http://www.guba.com/watch/3000055051)

Artist: Faith No More

Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, frontman Mike Morris and drummer Mike Bordin.[2] A year later when Wade Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike Morris was ousted, the group began calling themselves Faith No More. After going through a series of singers which included Courtney Love, the band was joined by Chuck Mosley in 1983. Mosley was replaced by Mike Patton in 1988. The band is best known for combining elements of heavy metal, funk, progressive rock, hip hop, hardcore punk, thrash metal, and jazz, among many others.

VS.

River of Deceit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vdHdxk1YZo)

Artist: Mad Season

Mad Season was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1994 by members of three popular Seattle-based bands: Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam and Screaming Trees. Mad Season only released one album, Above. The band went on a semi-permanent hiatus in 1996 due to the band members' conflicting schedules and vocalist Layne Staley's problems with substance abuse. Attempts were made in the late 1990s to revive the group without Staley, however the band dissolved following the death of bassist John Baker Saunders in 1999. Staley briefly reunited with Alice in Chains in the late 1990s before dropping out of the public eye permanently. His body was later found on April 19, 2002 in his condominium, the victim of an apparent overdose of cocaine and heroin.

VS.

Ghost of Stephen Foster (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJzWGkgFcTU)

Artist: Squirrel Nut Zippers

Squirrel Nut Zippers is a band formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina by James "Jimbo" Mathus (vocals and guitar), Katharine Whalen (vocals, banjo, and ukulele), Chris Phillips on drums, Don Raleigh on bass and sideman Ken Mosher. While the band's eclectic fusion of Delta blues, gypsy jazz, 1930s-era swing, klezmer, and other styles makes them hard to categorize, their unique music found a niche in the late 1990's, when the band met with national recognition and commercial success, sometimes associated with the Swing Revival of the same period. After a hiatus of several years, the original band members reunited and took to the stage again in 2007, playing select dates around the United States through 2008.

[Watashi]

That Squirrel Nut Zippers video is pretty damn awesome.

[Adam]

Pork and Beans

[Adam]

Ghost of Stephen Foster

[Kurosawa Fan]

Genesis

[chrisnu]

Genesis.

[Spinal]

Really tough call. Love the manic humor and energy of Faith No More's anarchic vision. Awesome song. I will give the slight edge to Squirrel Nut Zippers for impeccably evoking old-time cartoons and providing a perfect visual journey to complement their music. Tough draw for Mad Season which seemed downright lethargic compared to the other two.

[Kurosawa Fan]

The Faith No More vid seems to just be repeating the vid for Epic. Unless this one came first, in which case I'm victim of seeing this one too late. Epic is the better song and video.

Squirrel Nut Zippers

[Russ]

hoping this won't turn into best internet meme competition
Weezer, ftw!

(tho, it could be Genesis on a coin flip)

[Russ]

Squirrel Nut Zippers...by a mile.

[dreamdead]

Squirrel Nut Zippers. I'd never seen the video to it before. Fantastic stuff.

[thefourthwall]

Squirrel Nut Zippers.

[Winston*]

Squirrel Nut Zippers

[Spinal]

Hmmm ... this might end early.

[Winston*]

Genesis, I guess. I don't really like any of these.

[thefourthwall]

Genesis.

[chrisnu]

Squirrel Nut Zippers.

[Thirdmango]

alright, I finally got to watch them all. Gotta go with Mr. Oizo. That was really fun.

[Thirdmango]

I didn't really like any of them but will give the vote to Jeremy.

[Thirdmango]

I have been trying to push the Ghost of Stephen Foster on everyone I know for years. I'm glad it's getting high praise now. I love it so much.

[Spinal]

Mr. Oizo 7
Chris Dane Owens 4
R. Kelly 4

Mr. Oizo - Flat Beat

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Drop (http://www.myvideo.de/watch/3194063/The_Pharcyde_Drop)

Artist: The Pharcyde

The Pharcyde is an alternative hip hop group from South Central Los Angeles, where the group's members grew up. The original four members of the group are Imani (Emandu Wilcox), Slimkid3 (Tre Hardson), Bootie Brown (Romye Robinson) and Fatlip (Derrick Stewart). DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla. The foursome, with producer J-Swift, recorded their first album Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, released in November 1992. The album was highly acclaimed, and became one of the most praised and influential alternative hip hop albums of the 1990s. Sales were moderate-to-good and the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 1996.

VS.

Sharkey's Day (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeJwEB-qjrM)

Artist: Laurie Anderson

Laurie Anderson is an American experimental performance artist and musician who plays violin and keyboards and sings in a variety of experimental music and art rock styles. She became widely known outside the art world in 1981 when her single "O Superman" reached number two on the UK pop charts. She has also invented several devices that she has used in her recordings and performance art shows. In 1977, she created a tape-bow violin that uses recorded magnetic tape on the bow instead of horsehair and a magnetic tape head in the bridge. In the late 1990s, she developed a talking stick, a six-foot-long batonlike MIDI controller that can access and replicate different sounds. On April 12, 2008, Anderson married longtime companion Lou Reed in a private ceremony in Boulder, Colorado.

VS.

Dear God (http://vodpod.com/watch/334201-xtc-dear-god)

Artist: XTC

XTC were a New Wave/Alternative rock band from Swindon, England, active between 1976 and 2005. Though the band enjoyed some significant chart success, they are better known for their long-standing critical success than for making hit records. First coming together in 1972, the core duo of Andy Partridge (guitars & vocals) and Colin Moulding (bass & vocals) drew influence from the emerging New York punk scene. They played glam rock with homemade costumes and slowly built up a following. Drummer Terry Chambers joined in 1973. Keyboard player Barry Andrews followed in 1976, and the band finally settled on a name: XTC. By this time, the punk rock movement was in full swing, and XTC had found their style, a unique brand of hyperactive pop mixed with funk, punk, ska, reggae, baroque pop and art rock.

[Spinal]

Changed XTC link to a video without subtitles.

[dreamdead]

I'll go with Laurie Anderson on this one. Not sure what I'm supposed to take from the Pharcyde video other than "cool, it's kinda backwards." I'd expected something more fascinating to come after that initial layer.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I love all three of these songs, but have only middling feelings for all of these.

Genesis, for mocking "We Are the World."

[megladon8]

Is "Jeremy" really an "angsty teenage fable"?

It's a true story about a kid killing his classmates.

[Spinal]

Is "Jeremy" really an "angsty teenage fable"?

It's a true story about a kid killing his classmates.

The director may have been inspired by a true story, but that is much different than how he interprets it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

That Squirrel Nut Zippers video is a downright amazing approximation of Ub Iwerks's casual expressionism. Stunning, really.

A new favorite.

[Spinal]

I appreciate Laurie Anderson for who she is and what she is about, but I just can't seem to get on her wavelength. Even when I saw her live, I felt distant from the work. Unengaged.

The XTC video is a strong contender. That opening minute captured my attention immediately and I appreciated the ferocity in the lyrics. It kind of fizzled for me in the middle though and I was left unsure about what the visual imagery was intended to communicate.

I think The Pharcyde video is a blast. It holds my attention from start to finish. I think they find several compelling ways to experiment with the central conceit. And the video elevates a rather average song into something of an event.

The Pharcyde

[Spinal]

Pearl Jam - 8
Mew - 5
Peter Gabriel - 4

Pearl Jam - Jeremy

[Acapelli]

The Genesis video is scarier than any Aphex Twin video.
god yes. those puppets scare the shit out of me

[Acapelli]

pharcyde

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

The Good Life (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su_zrW9WBVk)

Artist: Kanye West

Kanye West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and Janet Jackson. His style of production originally used pitched-up vocal samples from soul songs incorporated with his own drums and instruments. However, subsequent productions saw him broadening his musical palette and expressing influences encompassing '70s R&B, baroque pop, trip hop, arena rock, folk, alternative, electronica, synth-pop, and classical music. His four albums have received numerous awards, including a cumulative twelve Grammys.

VS.

Oh Father (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x23l06_madonna-oh-father_music)

Artist: Madonna

Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone) is an American recording artist, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, and raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977, for a career in modern dance. After performing as a member of the pop musical groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her self-titled debut album Madonna in 1983 on Sire Records. A series of hit singles from her studio albums Like a Virgin (1984) and True Blue (1986) gained her global recognition, establishing her as a pop icon for pushing the boundaries of lyrical content in mainstream popular music and imagery in her music videos, which became a fixture on MTV. Guinness World Records listed her as the world's most successful female recording artist of all time

VS.

Heartbeats (http://www.myvideo.de/watch/4115412/the_Knife_Heartbeats)

Artist: The Knife

The Knife are an electro pop duo from Sweden that formed in 1999. They consist of siblings Karin Dreijer Andersson and Olof Dreijer. One of the group's distinguishing characteristics is their unwillingness to cooperate with the media or the mainstream music scene. The group rarely makes public appearances, most of their promotional photos feature the members wearing masks and until recently, they refused to perform live concerts. The Knife won a Grammis award as best pop group of the year 2003, but they boycotted the ceremony by sending two representatives of another artist group dressed as gorillas with the number 50 written on their costumes as a protest against male dominance in the music industry.

[Spinal]

Hold on. No audio on The Knife link. Attempting to fix.

[Spinal]

OK, we should be good now.

[dreamdead]

Despite not liking the actual song, I think the effervescence of the Kanye West video is wonderful.

The Madonna song sounds better than I remember, but the video seems bland.

The Knife feels like the average no-budget and no-band video. Boring and unenergetic, which feels contrary with the excellence of the song.

Kanye, surprisingly.

[Spinal]

Kanye West - Tiresome. Not a fan of this guy and this video is not particularly inspired.

Madonna - A masterwork. I wouldn't mind seeing this one win it all.

The Knife - Love the song. Lukewarm on the video.

Madonna

[Spinal]

The Madonna song sounds better than I remember, but the video seems bland.

:|

[Acapelli]

despite nominating the knife video myself, i'm gonna go with the good life. love so me (as well as kanye)

[dreamdead]

:|

She's playing with the usual iconography (though the background statue vocalists are nice), and though the song should feel like a confessional piece, it is caught up in lots of second-rate Madonna lyrics for me. To be fair, I'm not a huge fan of Madonna. I think the second half of the video picks up nicely, and the austerity of the piece is sometimes entrancing, but a lot of it feels rote.

Sorry. :sad:

[Spinal]

The photography. The snow. The shadows. The singing statue people. That little girl's face when dad takes the necklace. The finale with the dancing. Sigh.

[Russ]

Laurie Anderson

[Russ]

Kanye West.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

The Phil Collins puppet in particular is ghastly.

Genesis.

[Stay Puft]

Yeesh, today's battles are miserable. Abstain! I'm drowning in mediocrity here. There is not a single video amongst battles 13, 14, 15 or 16 that I could possibly care enough about to want to cast a vote.

The obvious exception is Ghost of Stephen Foster, which is rightfully destroying its competiton. That battle was over yesterday. Fast forward to tomorrow, please.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Three good songs, but only Madonna's can win. I can't imagine how you guys can say no to such an expert, lovely excursion into melodrama.

The shadowplay in the room at the end is spectacular.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Squirrel Nut Zippers.

[Russ]

Yeah, looks like you can pull the plug on 14.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

I really like both The Pharcyde and XTC videos. I prefer the XTC song, though, so I'll go with that one.

XTC.

[Spinal]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v696/joel_harmon/yves-levigne-mistake.jpg

All right, all right. Enough already. This one is done.

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Ghost of Stephen Foster

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Had the Knife video cut out those animated sequences and expanded on the 70's home video aesthetic I definitely would have voted for it. But as it stands, I have to go with Oh Father.

Madonna.

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

The Scientist (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmjPrdTNxQ0)

Artist: Coldplay

Coldplay are an English alternative rock band formed in London in 1998. The group comprises Chris Martin (lead vocals, keyboards, guitar), Jonny Buckland (lead guitar), Guy Berryman (bass guitar), and Will Champion (drums, backing vocals, other instruments). Coldplay's early material was compared to acts such as Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, U2, and Travis. They achieved worldwide fame with the release of the single "Yellow", followed by their debut album, Parachutes (2000). Martin once labelled the band's music as "limestone rock". The band's music has been called "meditative" and "blue romantic". The tone of the band's first studio album, Parachutes, was described as melodic pop with "distorted guitar riffs and swishing percussion". It was also described as being "exquisitely dark and artistically abrasive".

VS.

Billie Jean (http://www.mtvmusic.com/artist/jackson_michael/videos/26708/billie_jean)

Artist: Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson was an American musician, dancer, and entertainer. Referred to as the King of Pop, he is the most commercially successful and one of the most influential entertainers of all time. His unique contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with a highly publicized personal life, made him a prominent figure in popular culture for over four decades. Alongside his brothers, he made his debut in 1964 as lead singer and youngest member of The Jackson 5, and later began a successful solo career in 1971. His 1982 album Thriller remains the best-selling album of all time, with Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory (1995) also among the world's best selling albums.

VS.

The Hardest Button to Button (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLESpHrtvxs)

Artist: The White Stripes

The White Stripes are an American rock duo, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consists of songwriter Jack White (vocals, guitar and piano) and Meg White (drums and occasional vocals). After releasing several singles and three albums within the Detroit independent music underground, The White Stripes rose to prominence in 2002, as part of the garage rock revival scene. The White Stripes use a low-fidelity, do-it-yourself approach to writing and recording. Their music features a melding of punk and blues influences and a raw simplicity of composition, arrangement, and performance. The duo is also noted for their fashion and design aesthetic which features a simple color scheme of red, white, and black.

[Ivan Drago]

Kanye West

[B-side]

Genesis gets my vote with ease.

I hate that Weezer song with a passion, and the video is pretty lame as well, despite having a good message.

[Spinal]

Hadn't seen the Coldplay video before. If I had, I wouldn't have put it in so soon after The Pharcyde video. I am not a Coldplay fan, but I thought this was surprisingly effective. I'm tempted to vote for it, but it's really hard to vote against something as iconic as Billie Jean. Some of it is really silly, but that basic conceit of the glow that follows Michael around is unforgettable. A classic. The White Stripes video was disappointing. Great song, but the basic video concept did not appeal to me. Looked kind of public access video.

[Ivan Drago]

The Scientist

[B-side]

Didn't care for any of these. Liked the camera work in the XTC video, so I'll go with that one, I guess.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Love all three songs, love all three vids
but voting against Billie is sacrilege.

[B-side]

As much as I love Kanye, his video is the worst of the 3. Madonna's video is a powerhouse of cinematography and emotional resonance.

Best song goes to The Knife, though.

[B-side]

Not a Coldplay fan. The video is OK, but it's too gimmicky, much like the White Stripes video. MJ gets my vote.

[ledfloyd]

pharcyde i guess.

[ledfloyd]

hmm, i didn't love any of these. the madonna one was all downhill for me after the opening citizen kane quoting shot. i guess i'll go with kanye

[ledfloyd]

love the white stripes but billie jean gets my vote.

[Mysterious Dude]

Weezer

I know the video probably won't make sense to anyone in five years, but I still find it impressive.

The Genesis video is so ugly.

[Mysterious Dude]

Laurie Anderson

(I watched her video while listening to XTC. I think it works.)

[Mysterious Dude]

Madonna

[Mysterious Dude]

Hey, three videos I've already seen. That'll save time.

Jackson, Michael.

[Sven]

The Smiths' video barely registered for me. Didn't really care for the look.


the Smiths vid leaves no impression whatsoever.

Very strange. In my estimation, it is one of the more potently evocative and lovely things ever committed to film. To those who didn't like it, perhaps I recommend the full film, The Queen is Dead. It is Derek Jarman, it is three Smiths videos back to back, and it is amazing. The first and third videos are nothing at all like this one. Here's the first part (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz5IFl7uCis).

[Mysterious Dude]

I'm ready to declare "Ghost of Stephen Foster" one of the best music videos I've ever seen.

[Sven]

My issue with the Weezer video is that it has nothing to do with the song. When video and song do not intersect, my interest very rapidly dwindles.

I think the Genesis one has quite good puppetry, in fact, but the puppets are certainly nightmarish.

The Smiths, very much all the way.

[Stay Puft]

Michael Jackson.

That's the MJ I want to see in this tournament. Awesome video, love the varied framing and the synchronized cuts. I also liked that Coldplay video back in the day, but I find the concept, and overall narrative arch, kinda ridiculous now. Still, not bad. Agree with Spinal about the White Stripes video. They have a couple good videos, but that's not one of them.

[Winston*]

MJ

I like all three though.

[B-side]

My issue with the Weezer video is that it has nothing to do with the song. When video and song do not intersect, my interest very rapidly dwindles.

Of course it does. Those people were made famous by doing silly, private things publicly. They got a second chance by mocking their own screw-ups and reveling in their "mistake".

[Adam]

Dear God

[Adam]

Heartbeats

[Adam]

The Hardest Button To Button

[ledfloyd]

Dear God
it's not that bad of a round, no need to blaspheme.

what happened to 14?

[Russ]

MJ

[B-side]

This one doesn't look to be close.

[Mysterious Dude]

what happened to 14?
It finished early. I missed it, too.

http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=221949#post22 1949

[dreamdead]

MJ, though the Coldplay video is rather interesting as its own narrative.

[thefourthwall]

Michael Jackson.

[Spinal]

what happened to 14?

Squirrel Nut Zippers got the first 12 or so votes, so I decided to just move on.

[Ezee E]

Pharcyde. One of my faves.

[Ezee E]

Too bad these weren't separated. They're all pretty good.

Coldplay

[Ezee E]

Madonna's.

[Spinal]

Genesis 10
Weezer 4
The Smiths 1

Genesis - Land of Confusion

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Big Me (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKsQCH3DAOI)

Artist: Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters is an American rock band formed in 1995. Singer and guitarist Dave Grohl formed the group as a one-man project after the dissolution of his previous band, Nirvana, in 1994. Prior to the release of Foo Fighters in 1995, Grohl drafted Nate Mendel as bassist, William Goldsmith as drummer, and Pat Smear as guitarist to complete the group. The band was small, young, and they first began with performances in Portland, Oregon before expanding. The current line-up includes Taylor Hawkins and Chris Shiflett. Over the course of the band's career, three of its albums have won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album, and all six have been nominated for Grammys.

VS.

Crazy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2B6SjMh_w)

Artist: Gnarls Barkley

Gnarls Barkley is a Grammy award-winning American musical group collaboration between multi-instrumentalist and producer Danger Mouse (Brian Burton) from New York, and rapper/vocalist Cee-Lo Green (Thomas Callaway), from Atlanta. Cee-Lo first entered the scene as part of the Atlanta hip hop group Goodie Mob which had a large hand in the Dirty South Movement of the 1990s. Cee-Lo left the group after their third album in 1999 and started his solo career. Danger Mouse has produced for a number of hip-hop artists, and he produced Gorillaz' Grammy-winning album Demon Days. He received national attention for his mash-up Grey Album, which blended the a capella edition of Jay-Z's The Black Album with samples from The Beatles' White Album.

VS.

We Are Your Friends (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zo1-XlazvY)

Artist: Justice vs. Simian

Justice is a French electronic music duo consisting of Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay. Justice is known for incorporating a strong rock and indie influence into their music and image. Their debut album â€* was released in June 2007 to critical acclaim. The album was later nominated for a Grammy Award for "Best Electronic/Dance Album" and came in at number 15 on Pitchfork's Top 50 Albums of 2007.

Simian were an English electronic rock band, formed in Manchester in 2000. Their debut album Chemistry Is What We Are was released in the U.S. on September 18, 2001. The band split up in 2005 with James Ford and James Shaw forming the splinter group Simian Mobile Disco. The new group is more dance oriented.

In 2006 the single "We Are Your Friends", which is a remix of their song "Never Be Alone", was released on a reactivated Virgin Records subsidiary label called Ten Records. This single was credited to "Justice vs. Simian", and started life as a submission by the French electrohouse outfit Justice in a remix competition.

[ledfloyd]

Crazy. wasn't particularly taken with either of the others.

[Russ]

Gnarls Barkley

[Spinal]

Big Me - This seemed a lot funnier when it first came out. The Mentos commercial really hasn't been around enough for this to resonate the same way. Still, one of their best songs and I love the moment where Grohl notices the kid on stage and it cuts away right as it looks like he is about to swear.

Crazy - Great idea that supports the content of the song. Great execution. An original.

We Are Your Friends - Liked the song a lot. The video is not too special although it has a couple of good moments like the cat jumping on the guy's stomach.

Gnarls Barkley

[Mysterious Dude]

Crazy!

One of my favorite songs of the decade. Not my favorite video, but the strongest choice this round.

[Stay Puft]

Justice vs. Simian.

Fun video, and a good fit for the song. Ditto the praise for Gnarls Barkley, though. I'd be happy to see either win. The Foo Fighters video is something I may have found amusing upon its initial release, but it's dull as cardboard now.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The Foos did better with "Learn to Fly" and "Everlong," and the Justice thing is too messy to really work (although I enjoy what it's going for).

Crazy.

[Ivan Drago]

Crazy

[Spinal]

Extending this one. Need more votes.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Michael Jackson

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

crazy

[Killed_by_Smalls]

The video for Crazy is probably my favorite overall so far. I love how well the concept is tailored to the song. Also, I'm a sucker for symmetry.

Gnarls Barkley.

[Sven]

So: XTC: love them. Love the video. It is amazing. That great shot where he's in the center and the tree is branching out behind him... most excellent. Laurie Anderson, I have absolutely zero idea what to think. The Pharcyde gets my vote because the energy is so fabulous.
---------------------------------
Kristen: the XTC video does a decent job of making one of my least favorite XTC songs slightly less obnoxiously blatant. Laurie Anderson has a certain Laurie Andersonish charm. But the Pharcyde is awesome.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

pharcyde

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

madonna

[Sven]

Big Me is pretty stupid. Crazy is neat, but I keep waiting for a Verizon Wireless logo to pop up. The Justice thing may be a new favorite. So awesome. So awesome.
--------------------------------
Kristen: Big Me has a certain Foo Fightersy charm. Crazy has a nice concept, but it didn't hold my interest. But Justice was pretty cool.

[Sven]

By the time of this voting, I have totally forgotten about the Kanye video. Meh. I don't like him. The Knife video was inexplicably great. However, it is Madonna's video that gets my vote, despite the furrow in Kristen's brow.
-----------------------
Kristen: I just don't think the Madonna video is that good. It's maudlin. The Knife video has cool elements, but I think the Kanye video is the most entertaining.

[Spinal]

Extending this one as well.

[Adam]

Crazy

[Sven]

I would never dare to speak ill of the White Stripes video. I love the last set up where it's going in circles. I imagined a big red FAIL "X" appearing at the end of the Coldplay video, accompanied by a buzzer sound. Billie Jean needs no defense.
----------------------------
Kristen: The White Stripes over Michael Jackson by the slimmest of margins.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

white stripes

[Thirdmango]

Mmmmmm.... Drop

[Thirdmango]

Hmmm... I was looking forward to another Knife video and I loved the skateboarding but then it went weird. I loved the song though.

Kanye's video is done much better by other artists where they show cool ways of doing words. The song was lackluster as well.

I didn't like Madonna's song, but the video was the best of the three.

Madonna

[Thirdmango]

Michel Gondry er I mean White Stripes.

Drop was better then Coldplay. I still wonder why some other things aren't used in backwards videos, I have one scripted out to do sometime and there are really good backwards things like taking ties off a pole, eating different types of food, people falling out of moving vehicles and people jumping off swings.

[Acapelli]

justice vs. simian

[Thirdmango]

I have to give it to Foo just because of the novelty and how much I loved that concept. I tried using the mentos thing in so many situations. I love both other videos though and wouldn't mind seeing any of them move on.

[Acapelli]

I have to give it to Foo just because of the novelty and how much I loved that concept. I tried using the mentos thing in so many situations. I love both other videos though and wouldn't mind seeing any of them move on.
yeah this was one of my favorite videos as a kid. very strong round this one

[Spinal]

Madonna 9
Kanye West 5
The Knife 1

Madonna - "Oh Father"

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Feel Good Inc. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6Np4yq0VJs)

Artist: Gorillaz

Gorillaz is an English virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn of Britpop band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl. The band is composed of four animated band members: 2D (vocals, keyboard), Murdoc (bass guitar), Noodle (lead guitar and occasional vocals) and Russel (drums and percussion). The band's music is a collaboration between various musicians, Albarn being the only permanent musical contributor. Their style is broadly alternative rock, but with a large number of other influences including: britpop, dub, hip-hop, and pop music. In 2001, the band's eponymous debut album sold over seven million copies and earned them an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band

VS.

Zombie (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E9MaBKRhkg)

Artist: The Cranberries

The Cranberries are an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1989 under the name The Cranberry Saw Us, later changed by vocalist Dolores O'Riordan. Although widely associated with alternative rock, the band's sound also incorporates indie, indie pop, rock, post-punk, Irish folk and pop rock elements. The Cranberries rose to international fame in the 1990s with their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, which became a high commercial success and sold over five million copies in the United States. The group was one of the most successful rock acts of the '90s and sold over 14.5 million albums in the United States alone. The band has achieved four top 20 albums on the Billboard 200 chart and eight top 20 singles on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. In 2009 The Cranberries reunited. The band is currently on a North American tour, followed by dates in Europe in early 2010.

VS.

Sowing the Seeds of Love (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2p9l_tears-for-fears-sowing)

Artist: Tears for Fears

Tears for Fears are an English pop rock duo formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesizer bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into mainstream rock and pop, which led to international chart success. The band has sold more than 22 million albums worldwide (including over 8 million in the United States alone). The band's name was inspired by Primal Therapy, developed by the American psychologist Arthur Janov, which gained tremendous publicity after John Lennon became Janov's patient in 1970. In a 2004 interview with VH1 UK, Orzabal and Smith said that when they finally met Janov in the mid-80s, they were disillusioned to find that he had become quite "Hollywood" and wanted the band to write a musical.

[Adam]

Kristen: the XTC video does a decent job of making one of my least favorite XTC songs slightly less obnoxiously blatant.

In my experience, if you ask an atheist, they'll tell you that song is a total condemnation of the idea of God/organized religion. But then if you ask a religious type, they'll tell you it's about a deeply pious person struggling with understanding their faith

[Adam]

Sowing the Seeds of Love

[Spinal]

In my experience, if you ask an atheist, they'll tell you that song is a total condemnation of the idea of God/organized religion. But then if you ask a religious type, they'll tell you it's about a deeply pious person struggling with understanding their faith

The latter makes more sense. After all, you don't typically compose a message to someone you don't believe is there.

[Thirdmango]

Feel Good Inc

The Cranberries lead singer was really hot in that video though.

[Ivan Drago]

Feel Good, Inc.

[Sven]

The latter makes more sense. After all, you don't typically compose a message to someone you don't believe is there.

This. Though Partridge's opinion of religion certainly comes across in this, other songs, and interviews, I think the song is nicely complex. And in the video he does not break down the tree.

[Spinal]

Hmmm ... compelling match-up. I could make an argument for any of these three.

Gorillaz - Naturally, I love these guys and the animation style. Song is fantastic too. I hesitate because I don't really think this video is their best work. If it was "19-2000", I'd probably vote for it.

The Cranberries - This video is a bizarre creature in that it mixes the war documentary look with the bold, overtly symbolic imagery with the slicker band footage. All three aspects are striking, although they're kind of awkward when mixed together. I like the video a lot, but it feels a little scattershot.

Tears for Fears - I think this one is most successful at conveying a clear, focused vision. The expansion upon John Lennon is welcome and, while it does risk becoming a bit too literal, the payoff in the end is fantastic. The video generates a building sense of warmth and peace.

Tears for Fears

But great stuff all around.

[Spinal]

Michael Jackson 12
The White Stripes 3
Coldplay 2

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

[Watashi]

Crazy

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

No More I Love Yous (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EImIc8La_yE)

Artist: Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox (born 25 December 1954) is a British musician and recording artist. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Lennox showed aptitude in music when she was a child and later studied classical music at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She began her recording career as a member of the British pop band The Tourists, and subsequently formed the synth pop duo Eurythmics with former bandmate David A. Stewart. The duo gained international prominence over the course of the 1980s with singles such as "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again". In the 1990s, Lennox embarked on a solo career beginning with her debut Diva. Known as a pop culture icon for her distinctive contralto vocals and visual performances, Lennox has been named "The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive" by VH1.

VS.

Sugarcube (http://www.mtv.com/videos/yo-la-tengo/70769/sugarcube.jhtml)

Artist: Yo La Tengo

Yo La Tengo is an American alternative rock band formed in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1984. Since 1992, the lineup has consisted of Ira Kaplan (guitars, vocals), Georgia Hubley (drums, vocals), and James McNew (bass, vocals). Despite achieving limited mainstream success, Yo La Tengo has been called "the quintessential critics' band" and maintains a strong cult following. The band is renowned for its encyclopedic repertoire of cover songs both in live performance and on record. The name came from a baseball anecdote. During the 1962 season, New York Mets center fielder Richie Ashburn and Venezuelan shortstop Elio Chacón found themselves colliding in the outfield. When Ashburn went for a catch, he would scream, "I got it! I got it!" only to run into Chacón, who spoke only Spanish. Ashburn learned to yell, "¡Yo la tengo! ¡Yo la tengo!" instead. In a later game, Ashburn happily saw Chacón backing off. He relaxed, positioned himself to catch the ball, and was instead run over by left fielder Frank Thomas, who understood no Spanish.

VS.

Lessons Learned (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJkymylTNU4)

Artist: Matt and Kim

Matt and Kim are an indie pop duo residing in Brooklyn, New York. The group was formed in 2004 by Matt Johnson (vocals/keyboards) and Kim Schifino (drums/vocals). Their simple, dance style rhythms and energetic performances have gained them a substantial local following, and a formidable online presence through social networking and media sites such as YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. The song "Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare" can be heard in the opening credits of the NBC comedy Community. In 2009, their song "Daylight" was featured in a Bacardi commercial.

[Watashi]

Anything but Annie Lennox

[Spinal]

The Yo La Tengo video is pretty funny, but I don't like how much the dialogue interrupts the music.

The Matt and Kim video is undeniably compelling as a stunt, but to what end? The final punchline is a real groaner. I like that she keeps her socks on though. That's hot.

The Annie Lennox video, while not without its dead spots, is the most successful vision, in my opinion. An elegant showcase for an extraordinary performer.

Annie Lennox

[Adam]

Just playing devil's (literally?) advocate here - A lot of XTC's songs are dripping with irony, so I don't know how much of a stake you can put in the fact that Dear God is ostensibly being sung to God himself. And Andy Partridge is famously a hardline atheist. Also, this line...

"Did you make mankind after we made you?"

[Stay Puft]

The Cranberries.

Agree with Spinal that it feels scattershot (and the ending is a little silly, too), but overall I still liked it more than the other two. I didn't find the Tears for Fears video terribly engaging, though it's not bad. I'm tempted to say the Gorillaz video is bad, and I'm generally a big fan of their stuff. I don't think it even comes close to the attitude, energy or visual wit evident in their other videos.

[Adam]

Lessons Learned

[Stay Puft]

Annie Lennox.

Easily the strongest video here. The Yo La Tengo video is somewhat amusing, but it's too broad to be substantially interesting. The ending of the Matt and Kim video killed any positive feelings I may have had for it early on (and I didn't have many).

[Winston*]

Cranberries

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DgCOItpBoU&feature=fvw) Gorrilaz Laputa Castle in the Sky Windmill video is better IMO.

[Winston*]

Gnarls Barkley

[Winston*]

Yo La Tengo

More a Mr. Show sketch than a music video but I love Mr. Show so there.

[Ezee E]

Zombie.

[Russ]

The Cranberries

[Russ]

Yo La Tengo

[ledfloyd]

the tears for fears video did nothing for me and that is probably my least favorite gorillaz video.

cranberries by default.

[ledfloyd]

that annie lennox video was terrifying.

yo la tengo yes, more a sketch than a video, but it works. it's school of rock in four minutes. also, it says it's directed by phil morrison, is this the junebug phil morrison?

[dreamdead]

Cranberries. I'd forgotten how strong of a video they had had for that song.

The Tears for Fears video is nice, and actually interests me more than the Gorillaz, who, as others have said, had better videos.

[dreamdead]

Despite an appeal from Mr. Show, and my overall love for that YLT song, I don't know how Annie Lennox shouldn't win this one. It's got the strongest vision, takes the biggest chances, and offers more for the viewer than the other two. Lennox, easily.

[Sven]

Just playing devil's (literally?) advocate here - A lot of XTC's songs are dripping with irony, so I don't know how much of a stake you can put in the fact that Dear God is ostensibly being sung to God himself. And Andy Partridge is famously a hardline atheist. Also, this line...

"Did you make mankind after we made you?"

Of course you can put a stake in it. Just because he's an atheist does not mean that he is incapable of ambiguous expression and a questioning exploration of the basis of his beliefs.

[Mysterious Dude]

Cranberries

[Spinal]

OK ... I guess we're done with this one.

The Pharcyde 7
Laurie Anderson 3
XTC 3

The Pharcyde - "Drop"

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

No One Knows (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1d8wb_queens-of-the-stone-age-no-one-know_creation)

Artist: Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age is an American Grammy Award-nominated rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. Originally formed under the name Gamma Ray by guitarist Josh Homme, following the breakup of his previous band, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age developed a style of riff-oriented, heavy music which has been described by Homme as 'robot rock', saying that he "wanted to create a heavy sound based on a solid jam, and just pound it into your head". Frequent touring generated support for the band which grew when Foo Fighters frontman and former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl joined in late 2001/early 2002 to record their third album. Songs for the Deaf was released in August and was a critical and commercial success.

VS.

Stay (I Missed You) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka9mCmx9Jhs)

Artist: Lisa Loeb

Lisa Loeb is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She was the first artist to have a number one single while not signed to a recording contract. Loeb's efforts now include music, film, television, voice-over work and children’s recordings. Her five studio CDs include her major label debut, the gold-selling Tails and its follow-up, the Grammy-nominated, gold-selling Firecracker. Loeb has appeared in two television series, “Dweezil and Lisa�, a weekly culinary adventure for the Food Network and Number 1 Single, a dating show on the E! Network in 2006. In conjunction with Camp Lisa, she launched her own non-profit, The Camp Lisa Foundation, designed to help underprivileged kids attend summer camp through its partnership with Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge, Inc. (S.C.O.P.E.).

VS.

Love is Strong (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhhj7_the-rolling-stones-love-is-strong_music)

Artist: The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in 1962 in London when multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones and pianist Ian Stewart were joined by vocalist Mick Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards. Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early lineup. At first the group recorded mainly covers of American blues and R&B songs, but since the 1966 album Aftermath, their releases have mainly featured Jagger/Richards songs. Mick Taylor replaced an incapacitated Jones shortly before Jones's death in 1969. Taylor quit in 1974, and was replaced in 1975 by Faces guitarist Ronnie Wood, who has remained with the band ever since. Wyman left the Rolling Stones in 1992; bassist Darryl Jones, who is not an official band member, has worked with the group since 1994. In 1989, The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2004 they were ranked number 4 in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

[Mysterious Dude]

Matt and Kim

[Mysterious Dude]

Rolling Stones

[Sven]

Not my voting post, but I thought I'd let it be known that the Matt and Kim video is horrendous. Precisely the kind of pointless thing that raises my ire.

[Spinal]

Queens of the Stone Age - Gag is only slightly amusing.

Lisa Loeb - Sweet, but reminds me that I like Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" better.

Rolling Stones - I'm not sure why I don't like this one more. Seems like a great idea in theory, but then not much happens with the concept. Don't like the song either.

Eh ... I don't know ... I guess I'll go with the simplicity of Lisa Loeb.

[Watashi]

Lisa Loeb

[ledfloyd]

i don't like the other two much so i'm going with keithzilla even though the potential bad ass factor is unrealized.

rolling stones.

[Stay Puft]

Queens of the Stone Age.

Fun song, funny video. Love the attitude, and the part with the "night danger" warning. It's not great, but the other two are non-events. They barely held my attention. The Rolling Stones video has a couple fun visual moments to its credit, but yeah, it doesn't really capitalize on the concept.

[Spinal]

Gnarls Barkley 11
Justice vs. Simian 3
Foo Fighters 1

Gnarls Barkley - "Crazy"

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

God's Gonna Cut You Down (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxh-FfElY0M)

Artist: Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash was an American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Primarily a country music artist, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll (especially early in his career), as well as blues, folk, and gospel. Cash was known for his deep, distinctive bass-baritone voice, the "chicka-boom" freight train sound of his Tennessee Three backing band, his demeanor, and his dark clothing, which earned him the nickname "The Man in Black". He traditionally started his concerts with the introduction "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash". Much of Cash's music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation and redemption.

VS.

Sugar Water (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN9auBn6Jys)

Artist: Cibo Matto

Cibo Matto (meaning crazy food in Italian) was a New York City-based band formed by two Japanese women, Yuka Honda and Miho Hatori, in 1994. The lyrics in their songs are primarily concerned with food, possibly used as a metaphor. Their sound has been described as a combination of "Jazz, Hip-Hop, Brazilian music, African Drumming, Japanese Rock, Disco samples, and the cheap, under-funded, un-talented but, nevertheless, creative and genius of the spirit of the underbelly of the city." After their music videos enjoyed success on MTV, Cibo Matto appeared on various television shows such as Oddville, Viva Variety and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The group continued to play live and tour until disbanding in 2001. All of the members of Cibo Matto have gone on to release solo material and have on occasion collaborated with each other.

VS.

Genius of Love (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnC1Xzm5uKM)

Artist: Tom Tom Club

Tom Tom Club is an American new wave band founded in 1980 by Talking Heads alumni Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz, a married couple. Originally established as a side project, the Tom Tom Club comprise a loose aggregate of musicians, sound engineers and artists of the Compass Point All Stars family, including Tina Weymouth's sisters and guitarist Adrian Belew, the latter of whom toured with Weymouth and Frantz in the expanded version of Talking Heads in 1980 and 1981. Named after the dancehall in the Bahamas where they rehearsed for the first time, the Tom Tom Club enjoyed early success in the dance club culture of the early 1980s. They appeared in the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense in 1984.

[Russ]

Rolling Stones

[chrisnu]

Annie Lennox.

[Russ]

Cibo Matto

[Spinal]

Johnny Cash - At first, I thought it was kind of strange that the opening prologue mentions the poor and the downtrodden and then we get a bunch of celebrities throughout the rest of the video. But then, it felt like that was even more impactful because here are a group of people in their prime who seem untouchable and yet each and every one will be dead in a hundred years. Just like the song says.

Cibo Matto - Personal favorite. Even though with careful attention you can spot small moments here and there where the conceit doesn't quite work, it makes me appreciate the planning and the execution all the more. Love the song too.

Tom Tom Club - Images moved too quickly and haphazardly for them to make any sort of impact.

Cibo Matto

[chrisnu]

Lisa Loeb.

[chrisnu]

Cibo Matto has the best video, whie Tom Tom Club has the best song.

[ledfloyd]

the johnny cash video shouldn't work but it does.

[Stay Puft]

Tom Tom Club.

Love the manic energy. The Johnny Cash video doesn't completely work for me, but it's an interesting idea. The Cibo Matto video is just another lame visual conceit courtesy of the ever unimpressive Gondry. Sorry fans, but not a fan. (Yes, I concede that a couple of his videos are awesome, and I have and will continue to vote for those.)

[Adam]

Love Is Strong

[Adam]

Sugar Water

[Mysterious Dude]

Cibo Matto

I just have one question: Is it customary in Japan to powder one's hair like that before bed?

[thefourthwall]

Dang, I like the Gorillaz song, but the Cranberries video was much better.

[thefourthwall]

Annie Lennox video link didn't work for me. I found another (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EImIc8La_yE).

And it's a good thing because it's marvelous--like a Toulouse-Lautrec painting come to life.

[Spinal]

Annie Lennox video link didn't work for me. I found another (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EImIc8La_yE).



Thanks for the notice. Fixed it.

[thefourthwall]

The Rolling Stones.

Although, Lisa Loeb's apartment makes me want to roller skate.

[thefourthwall]

Johnny Cash, although the Cibo Matto one is nifty. "Sugar Water" sounded familiar and it turns out that they performed it on an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, fyi.

[dreamdead]

Lisa Loeb. So cute in that video.

the Rolling Stones. So not cute. Nicht. Nada.

Here's a sexist vote for cute.

[dreamdead]

Cibo Matto.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Cranberries.

[Spinal]

The Cranberries 9
Gorillaz 2
Tears for Fears 2

The Cranberries - "Zombie"

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Annie Lennox.

[Winston*]

Cibo Matto

I find that Johnny Cash video irritating.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

I have to go with the mildly amusing Queens of the Stone Age. The other two did nothing for me.

[Winston*]

Queens of the Stone Age

[Killed_by_Smalls]

Cibo Matto.

[Ivan Drago]

Queens of the Stone Age

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Everybody Hurts (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xr65g_rem-everybody-hurts_music)

Artist: R.E.M.

R.E.M. is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe (lead vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass guitar), and Bill Berry (drums and percussion). R.E.M. was one of the first popular alternative rock bands. By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to experience broad mainstream success, R.E.M. was viewed as a pioneer of the genre and released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), which veered from the band's established sound. R.E.M.'s 1994 release Monster was a return to a more rock-oriented sound. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kurt Cobain told Rolling Stone in a 1994 interview, "I don’t know how that band does what they do. God, they’re the greatest. They’ve dealt with their success like saints, and they keep delivering great music."

VS.

Fuck Af (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dGOQ5cRXlM)

Artist: Suspekt

Suspect is a Danish rap group composed of three members Bai-D, Orgi-E, Rune Rask. All three grew up in Albertslund. The group is one of the best known names in the Danish hip hop, and has received positive reviews, especially for their latest release, Prima Nocte. Their style has been referred to as Horrorcore.

VS.

Mother of All Funk Chords (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tprMEs-zfQA)

Artist: Kutiman

Ophir Kutiel, professionally known as Kutiman, is a musician, composer, producer and animator from Israel. He is best known for creating the online music video project ThruYOU, as well as his self-titled album and collaboration with many other Israeli artists including Hadag Nahash. In 2009 Kutiman released ThruYOU, an online music video project mixed from samples of YouTube videos. Time Magazine called it one of the 50 best inventions of 2009. After disclosing his work to just twenty friends, Kutiman's project spread virally across the web, racking up more than one million views in less than a week. After viewing ThruYOU, open source advocate Lawrence Lessig praised the project as a pioneer of a new, less regulated form of media, saying "If you come to the Net armed with the idea that the old system of copyright is going to work just fine here, this more than anything is going to get you to recognize: you need some new ideas."

[Winston*]

R.E.M.

That Danish thing was funny for reasons I do not believe were intentional and Kutiman was impressive but not for music video reasons, I don't think it really belongs in this competition.

[Spinal]

Kutiman was impressive but not for music video reasons, I don't think it really belongs in this competition.

Yeah, I debated that one. Ultimately I allowed it because Kutiman is actually a legitimate recording artist and because of the endorsement from Time magazine. I felt more comfortable letting the voters decide than making the call myself.

Anyway, yes, R.E.M. is quite clearly the class of this trio. Although I think the video would be better if the band itself didn't appear in it. Stipe gives it a little bit of a sanctimonious feel. And the news report coda is unnecessary and dorky.

There were a few interesting horror images in the Suspekt video. I found it watchable.

[Thirdmango]

Yeah, I debated that one. Ultimately I allowed it because Kutiman is actually a legitimate recording artist and because of the endorsement from Time magazine. I felt more comfortable letting the voters decide than making the call myself.

Yeah I nominated it but wasn't sure if it was legitimate. I still think it's super cool though. But I'm glad people will watch it now.

[Russ]

R.E.M.

[ledfloyd]

Kutiman.

[Mysterious Dude]

R.E.M.

Kinda liked the Suspekt video, though.

[Ezee E]

Forgot the R.E.M. video. I would've nominated that one.

They've actually got a pretty good set of music videos.

[Ezee E]

Lisa Loeb I guess.

[Sven]

The REM one is good, but as Spinal said, the sanctimony puts me off a little. Love the song, though. The Danish one gets my vote. I wasn't expecting to like it, but I found it very compelling somehow. Strange images and things.

[Adam]

Everybody Hurts

[Sven]

Tom Tom Club for me, though all three videos are about equal I think. Not great, but well suited to the songs and a little bit crafty.

[Sven]

Queens of the Stone Age, more for Grohl's commitment and rhythmic motions than the plot, which has some fun effects. The Stones one is cool, I think, and I've never liked Loeb.

[Stay Puft]

Suspekt.

Terribly silly, but terribly fun. Good stuff all around in this battle, really.

[Killed_by_Smalls]

R.E.M.

[Spinal]

Anyone else want to weigh in before I wrap this one up?

[Sven]

Yo La Tengo, because I love to laugh.

[Lasse]

Annie Lennox, for purely nostalgic reasons.

[Lasse]

Damn, Suspekt is up against REM? I love the Suspekt video because of the ultra low-budget horror feel. I just think it's so much fun, and pretty nicely done.


EDIT: And it's one of my favorite hip-hop beats.

[Spinal]

Annie Lennox 7
Yo La Tengo 4
Matt and Kim 2

Annie Lennox - "No More I Love Yous"

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

God Hates a Coward (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt856_nRxQk&feature=related)

Artist: Tomahawk

Tomahawk is an experimental alternative metal/alternative rock supergroup from the United States. They formed in 2000 when Fantômas, ex-Mr. Bungle and Faith No More singer/keyboardist Mike Patton and ex-The Jesus Lizard guitar player Duane Denison started swapping tapes with the intention of collaborating. Duane Denison then recruited ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier (also currently playing with Battles), while Mike Patton brought Melvins/Cows bass player Kevin Rutmanis into the fold. Tomahawk have toured extensively, playing in many countries around the world, including the United States, Australia, Europe and Japan. They generally headline shows but have been the supporting act for bands such as Tool.

VS.

Parabol/Parabola (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiV_ue-PbL4)

Artist: Tool

Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1990. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Tool is known to have rigorous touring schedules in support of their albums, they have performed well on charts worldwide, and have sold an estimated 9.25 million records in the United States alone. Tool emerged with a heavy metal sound on their first studio album, Undertow, at a time when the genre was dominated by thrash metal; and later became a dominant act in the alternative metal movement with the release of their second effort, Ænima, in 1996. Their efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution continued with their third album, Lateralus, in 2001; and their most recent album, 10,000 Days, released in 2006, gained the band critical acclaim and success around the world.

VS.

Lucas with the Lid Off (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY5zaDZq0sc)

Artist: Lucas

Lucas Secon (also known as Lucas) is a Danish-American Grammy and MTV Award-nominated record producer,songwriter and artist/conceptualist. Signed to Uptown Records by Andre Harrell, Lucas debuted in 1990 with the album To Rap My World Around You. In 1993 he signed with Atlantic Records and released his 1994 album Lucacentric, a much more jazz-influenced work than his previous effort. Lucacentric went Top 10 in at least 10 countries and was Top 30 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. Lucas won Spin Magazine's Golden Poets Award for his poem "The Ice Age" (out of 150,000 entrants), which became a song on To Rap My World Around You. Lucas' father, Paul Secon, is perhaps best known as the co-founder of Pottery Barn along with Paul's brother Morris Secon.

[ledfloyd]

lucas that tomahawk video was painful.

[Sven]

Notice how the Lucas video is all done in one shot. It moves from setup to setup, marked by the frames inside of which the camera frequently situates itself, all on a single soundstage that is given the illusion of surrealist perspective through mirrors, rotated stages, and projection screens. There's also a narrative of sorts, if you pay attention. It is pretty much a masterpiece.

[Adam]

Lucas with the Lid Off

[Thirdmango]

Lucas

[Thirdmango]

Kutiman. I just love the idea of composing a song from everyone else's youtube clips.

[Spinal]

Three-way tie right now. Next vote takes it.

[Spinal]

Cibo Matto 8
Johnny Cash 2
Tom Tom Club 2

Cibo Matto - "Sugar Water"

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

Bring Me Edelweiss (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vNZcQseWtU&feature=fvw)

Artist: Edelweiss

Edelweiss was an Austrian electronica/dance band consisting of remixers Martin Gletschermayer, Matthias Schweger and Walter Werzowa. The group is best known for their 1988 worldwide hit "Bring Me Edelweiss", and their European hit "Starship Edelweiss". Edelweiss reached a Europe-wide #1 position with their hit Bring me Edelweiss, supposedly by following the instructions given in The KLF's book The Manual. Borrowing large parts of its melody from ABBA's SOS and Indeep's Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, the song humorously targeted Austrian ski resorts and yodeling and sold five million copies worldwide.

VS.

Guilty Conscience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGnUstuLuGs)

Artist: Eminem featuring Dr. Dre

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, better known by his stage name Eminem, is an American rapper, record producer and actor. Eminem quickly gained popularity in 1999 with his major-label debut album The Slim Shady LP, which won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The following album, The Marshall Mathers LP, became the fastest-selling hip hop album in history. The Marshall Mathers LP and his third album, The Eminem Show also won Grammy Awards, making Eminem the first artist to win Best Rap Album for three consecutive LP's. In 2002, he won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for Lose Yourself from the film 8 Mile, in which he also played the lead. Lose Yourself would go on to become the longest running #1 rap single.

VS.

No Rain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYlAwvz8uwc)

Artist: Blind Melon

Blind Melon is an American rock band that performed from 1989 to 1995, stopping with the death of lead vocalist Shannon Hoon, shortly after the release of the band's second album. The band reformed with a new lead vocalist, Travis Warren, in 2006, who left the band in 2008. The band continues to search for a new vocalist. The band's initial popularity is partially attributed to vocalist Hoon's association with Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, and Hoon's backing vocals on several Guns N' Roses tracks on 1991's Use Your Illusion album an example being "Don't Cry". In 1995, Blind Melon contributed a version of the song "Out on the Tiles" to the Encomium tribute album to Led Zeppelin, as well as a promotional CD with a cover of the Schoolhouse Rock! song "Three Is a Magic Number".

[Lazlo]

My vote goes to Bee Girl.

[TheDoifter]

Queens

[Spinal]

Glad to lure you out, Kristen. ;)

Queens of the Stone Age 6
Lisa Loeb 5
The Rolling Stones 5

Queens of the Stone Age - "No One Knows"

[Spinal]

Tomahawk - I like Mike Patton. This was not much of a video.

Tool - I imagine this is probably meaningful and transcendent to somebody. I am not that person.

Lucas - Great tune. Fun concept. Nice execution. Has that "How'd they do that?" factor working for it. Style and images fit the nature of the music.

Lucas

[Thirdmango]

I was actually going to vote for QOTSA too when I got back on today. Good to know Kristen did it for me.

[Winston*]

Lucas

Will this be another Ghost of Stephen Foster?

[Mysterious Dude]

Blind Melon

[Spinal]

Instructions:

Please take the time to watch all three videos and then cast your vote by making a post in this thread. Thread will be open a minimum of 24 hours and then may close any time after that at my discretion.

Although it will naturally be difficult to vote for music you find disagreeable or against personal favorites, please remember that the primary question should be "Is this the most effective and/or artistic video?" not "Is this the best song?" Basically, just keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to be pleasantly surprised.

American Music (http://www.mtv.com/videos/violent-femmes/47630/american-music.jhtml)

Artist: Violent Femmes

The Violent Femmes were an American alternative rock band, formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1980. The band performed as a trio, including: singer, guitarist and songwriter Gordon Gano, bassist Brian Ritchie, and two drummers, Victor DeLorenzo and Guy Hoffman. Gano announced the group's break-up in 2009. They were discovered by James Honeyman-Scott (of The Pretenders) on August 23, 1981, when the band was busking on a street corner in front of the Oriental Theatre, the Milwaukee venue that The Pretenders would be playing later that night. Chrissie Hynde invited them to play a brief acoustic set after the opening act. The band signed to Slash Records and released a self-titled album that they had recorded in July 1982. The music was an innovative combination of American folk music and Punk rock, and commonly referred to as "folk-punk". The lyrics were the common themes of yearning for love, sex and affection.

VS.

Vertigo (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14gsi_u2-vertigo_music)

Artist: U2

U2 are a rock band formed in Dublin, Ireland. The band consists of Bono (vocals and rhythm guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums and percussion). The band formed at secondary school in 1976 when the members were teenagers with limited musical proficiency. Within four years, they signed to Island Records and released their debut album. By the mid-1980s, they had become a top international act. They were more successful as a live act than they were at selling records, until their 1987 album The Joshua Tree. Their 1991 album Achtung Baby and the accompanying Zoo TV Tour were a musical and thematic reinvention for the band. Reacting to their own sense of musical stagnation and a late-1980's critical backlash, U2 incorporated dance music and alternative rock into their sound and performances, replacing their earnest image with a more ironic tone. Since 2000, U2 have pursued a more conventional sound, while maintaining influences from their 1990's musical explorations.


VS.

E-Pro (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIrG6xBW5Wk)

Artist: Beck

Beck Hansen is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist known by the stage name Beck. With a pop art collage of musical styles, oblique and ironic lyrics, and postmodern arrangements incorporating samples, drum machines, live instrumentation and sound effects, Beck has been hailed by critics and the public throughout his musical career as being amongst the most creative and idiosyncratic musicians of 1990s and 2000s alternative rock. The four time platinum artist rose to underground popularity with his early works, which combined social criticism (as in "MTV Makes Me Want to Smoke Crack" and "Deep Fried Love") with musical and lyrical experimentation. He first earned wider public attention for his breakthrough single "Loser", a 1994 hit. Two of Beck's most popular and acclaimed recordings were Odelay (1996) and Sea Change (2002). Odelay received a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Sea Change was awarded Album of the Year by Rolling Stone.

[Mysterious Dude]

Lucas.

[Mysterious Dude]

Beck

[Spinal]

U2 - Yawn.

Violent Femmes - This band kinda sorta annoys me, but that is an excellent, excellent video. They use the lead singer's personality to an advantage and it all becomes humorous in a David Byrne-True Stories kind of way. Love the sing along.

Beck - I love, love, love this song. Not crazy about the video.

Violent Femmes

[ledfloyd]

i like that eminem video but must go with the bee girl.

[ledfloyd]

the beck video isn't bad.

[Stay Puft]

Tool.

A futile vote, I guess, but sincere. I love the whole of Lateralus, the album and its accompanying videos. It's wonderful stuff. That's all I'm going to say. No comment on the Lucas video.