Film Wasted

Since music videos have gone the way of the dodo (on TV, anyway) I've decided to scour the net to check some out. Why artists still even bother to make them is beyond me. See one of my MTV rants for more on that. (I'm sure there's more than one on this blog.)

This week, Pearl Jam released their first video since the animated one for "Do The Evolution" in 1998. (There were actually some performance clips floating around on the net of some songs on Riot Act, but I guess they don't really count?) This vid is for the first track from the new Pearl Jam, "Life Wasted." All I can say about it is, "eeeeeeeeewwwwww!" All the guys are bloody and gross, looking like bloated corpses. It's nasty. At one point a worm crawls out of Jeff Ament's forehead. Again, eeeew. And Eddie, my dear Eddie....look pal, if you're going to finally appear in a video after all these years it would be nice if you'd just be effortlessly gorgeous as usual instead of grossing us all out. (Oddly enough, Stone still manages to look pretty good.) I guess there's a message in it somewhere, but I lost it along with my lunch. At least the song rocks.

Nick Lachey's video for "What's Left of Me" is doing well. I know this because it's the only recent video I've actually seen twice on VH-1. It must be #1 on the Video Countdown. I mean, seeing one video is quite something, but seeing the same one more than once is unheard of these days. Anyway, I really don't know what's going on in this video. Nick pouts and feels up some girl on the couch who kind of looks like a poor man's Jessica Alba. I think they're trying to give a nod to "Newlyweds" by showing a film crew in the house. Things in the house keep disappearing. Inexplicably, a chess board is present.(Not in use, of course.) What is Nick telling this girl, "I'm an empty shell of a man since my ditzy wife screwed me over, but uh, I guess you can have whatever's left of me." Swoon. Hey, I shouldn't make fun, I'd take what's left of him for at least one night. The guy is undeniably hot. He's basically walking, talking (and singing) cheese, but I'd spread him on some crackers. Why not? But isn't this a recycled Backstreet Boys song? I swear it is. I've never made a secret of my love for the Boys. Nick's song sounds like "Drowning" mixed with some other song that I can't remember. Still, I kind of like it. It's catchy. I won't run out to buy his album, but I'll be walking around singing "And I want you, and I feel you...za da ba ba bum bum ba...and I something...da da something...ya da boo boo ba ba ba...."

Just discovered the INXS video for "Afterglow." (I immediately thought of that Everclear album title, "So Much For the Afterglow." It's fitting, trust me.) There are no bloody corpse-like dudes in this one, but it made me sicker than the Pearl Jam vid. First of all, the song is so blah. "Not Enough Time" it ain't. Secondly, I've lost all respect for this band that I used to love. Third, I had to suffer this entire craptacular song and barely caught a glimpse of hottie drummer Jon Farriss. They can get all the big-lipped, blonde actresses to prance half naked in their videos that they want, it still isn't going to help. Who is that chick - was she the one in the remake of Planet of the Apes? More importantly, who's that guy? The skinny, trying-to-be-tough-yet-tender one who looks like the forgotten New Kid on the Block after getting into his mommy's makeup bag? Oh yeah, that's the guy who isn't Michael Hutchence. Yeah. Pass.

My best friend told me that the video for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Dani California" was pretty funny. I just watched it today and it's....okay. It's kind of amusing, but hasn't this concept been done before? They basically perform in the traditional garb of various genres - embodying everyone from Elvis to Nirvana to the Sex Pistols to Poison. They manage to get a bit of themselves in there as well. It has some funny moments, but I don't know, to me it just seems uninspired. I couldn't help noticing throughout though how pretty the drummer looked any time he was "glammed" up. I guess he might make kind of a hot chick? Anyway, I do like the song. But how many songs can these guys sing about California?

Comments

I thought "Dani California" was a little too close to "In Bloom" down to the wigs even.

I think the music video indusrty is even more tired than the movie industry in terms of ideas, it's a cannibal convention.
Lee Ann said…
Nick is hot...I would spread him on a cracker too!

Anthony Kiedis is hot. I think his best look is with his long dark hair.
LoraLoo said…
Okay, okay, Nick is hot. But don't tell anyone I said so!

I haven't seen the "Dani California" video but your description reminds me of that Bowling for Soup video where they dressed up as 80's bands and imitated the videos.
Bar L. said…
Hey just stopping in to see what's up! You crack me up with your Nick on a cracker thing....you wish!
Heather said…
Nick is hot. I'm not too sure I want to hear him sing but I've got no problem looking at him.

I caught a little bit of the "Dani California" video and just thought, whatever. I don't watch 'em anymore. Mostly, 'cause you can't find them playing anywhere anymore.
Martin said…
The art of video making is starting to slide now that most of the good directors decided to move towards theatrical releases. I think that because the videos get played less and less on MTV and VH1 in lieu of "reality shows" that they aren't putting the money into making great ones anymore.
Anonymous said…
im also in agreeance with you on the whole Nick Lachey thing..the song, while catchy, isnt enough to make me go buy the album..but i can sing/hum/make up my own words to it as i clean around my house..