TGIF

Two videos to discuss today!

First up is the new Beastie Boys new track Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win.  Spike Jonze has reunited with the band to direct the video and true to form its has a MacGyver-style storyline filmed using action figures. Ok, this is not the most original execution ever (make sure you watch Todd Haynes’ Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story), but this video still manages to a lot of fun, even for a non-Beastie Boys fan like myself.



Spike really makes this his video distinctively his own through some very nice details. Its not every director who would give you such thoughtful sound editing or such awesome hand drawn supers, and there are some particularly lovely moments when we see a frost covered hand moving the figures in the snow. 

I read there is an extended 11 minute version, but my interest won't last that long, besides I've never been a fan of long music videos - I appreciate the short format, why do you need to mess with it?.

... and Sarah, check out for the Santigold cameo - I’m sure this is what your Barbie would look like (when you one day have one!).

The next is Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night. Although I am aware that it was completely its intention, this video still makes me like Katy Perry. Normally I think she tries way too hard, but here its not so obvious and it works alongside all the cheese.
I just wish the irritating kid from Glee wasn’t in it. When will Glee’s reign of terror end?



And just because I got thinking about videos and the general lack of really great ones these days (wtf happened?) and how Mike Mills has to now beg to direct an Arcade Fire video (who are they anyway?), here is REM’s Imitation of Life, whose awesomeness I just remembered.

Year Of 4 - Give me more!!!

Ok, I am cringeing at myself as I type this, but I am still unashamed at my renewed love of Beyonce, thanks to her new self-promotional doco "Year Of 4".

I love a good semi-scripted, heavily edited, voyeuristic look into the life of a model or celebrity at the best of times (hello, my love of The Kardashians?!)so this video documenting the year that Beyonce took off to "rediscover herself" and do normal things like "pick up my nephew from school" (being followed by cameras with with Jay-Z - yep, heaps normal)tickles my fancy.

I must admit, I didn't get the Run The World video before I watched Year Of 4 - and no doubt, the Year of 4 is partly because of the confused response around the world to her first single and video.
Run The World felt so pedestrian and done when she released it. Everyone I spoke to about it was dissappointed with her efforts, and said it was more of the same, but not as good (Single Ladies was epic, and considering Crazy in Love was her first single - it's, impressively, still one of her best!).
BUT after seeing the concept & thought process behind it, and insights such as the fact that she flew in the Tofo Tofo dancers from Mozambique and then they starred in the clip - it all added heart and reason to it, and I now love it.

Beyonce, for me, is the super successful icon that I wish I had the dedication, passion and energy to emulate - to follow my dreams and sacrifice all normality to reach my goals. For me, The Year of 4 has brought her down a rung, and showed her as a workaholic who lives what she does so much that she needs to relearn how to enjoy the little things in the world. That appealed to me, and helped me to see her music and videos in a different light.
Yes, I respect her more as an artist now, because she is less "untouchable".

Begin the firing squad...




Pete: I love how Beyonce's year off involves standing in front of a mirror and posing. I wonder if she did that for the whole year. The problem with B for me is that she basically set the bar too high with Crazy in Love. The Run the World video is basically her posing in a whole lot of House of Diarreah clothes for 4 minutes.

Um, awkward

Britney fansite Breatheheavy reported that Britney refused a hug to one of her fans (who paid $1000 for a meet and greet) at a show in Vancouver.

Forgetting the money, this is still sad and a bit disappointing.


The sad thing is if you google pics of Rhianna's meet and greets, she actually looks like she is putting in effort and actually likes her fans. Poor form Britney.

Beyonce does Sex on Fire

Good in theory, but not feeling it - how about you?


UPDATE: Ok, I've changed my mind and decided its pretty awesome.

Nice one Kate

Here are photo's of Kate Moss' wedding over the weekend. Maybe it's just because I've always had a crush on Kate, but I think she looks fucking unbelievable - the right mix of sexy and pretty. 


So much better than Kate Middleton and her wierd nipples – don't you agree?

The Femme Fatale for Sarah

First look at new Bjork

Wow. Stumbled across this today – from the new single Crystalline. 


There's some new music too (not as exciting but i'll grow to love it), not to mention a very cool iPad app idea (read here) that has convinced me to get an iPad.