Things are chug-chugging along on this humpday, and while music news may be at a premium today, there have been quite a few recent music videos in the past week or so that have come to my attention. It's always fun to fawn over new videos, and today has provided two so far -- Drake's "Forever" and St. Vincent's "Marrow." Polar opposites, for sure, but they are worthy of your attention, if not to poke fun at whatever it is Drake thinks makes for a "good" music video.
First up is Drake's latest video, "Forever," featuring Lil Wayne, Eminem and The Interrupter (no, not him, him). This video is just odd to begin with, complete with some two-story scaffolding, flames and Eminem. The song is for the soundtrack to the upcoming LeBron James movie/profile of a superstar's basketball life More Than A Game. It's got that MC Hammer "Too Legit To Quit" feel to it, yet it has more flames and less athletes. You can get up off that couch, Weezy, those cameras pointed at you mean you're shooting what's called a "music video." At least Kanye was given his own segment...you know what, no. No more stupid Kanye interruption jokes. Ever.
Last, but not least, we have the super-simple, incredibly subversive video for Clues' newest single "You Have My Eyes Now." It features one half of quite possibly the most offbeat comedy duo in 10 years Tim & Eric, Tim Heidecker, playing a cuckolded, super-lame boyfriend/husband out shopping with his significant other. The societal pressures of what is "right" and "wrong" -- mixed in with his having to put up with what seems to be a less than fun girlfriend/wife -- finally get to Tim's character, and he can no longer take that sexy, coquettish mannequin's advances. He gives into his carnal pleasures and takes down the plastic lady, not giving in until security has to drag him away, kicking and screaming. The look on Tim's character's face when he finally gropes the mannequin's breast is priceless. He is really a brilliant comedic actor, turning something so simple -- basically a one-man performance -- into something very subversive and memorable.
So there you have it, 5 music videos worthy of your attention, not because they are necessarily good songs, but because they show just how compelling and fun music videos can still be in these modern times.
Music videos have had a long tradition, dating back to the early 1980s, and that decade was responsible for simultaneously promoting the art of music videos while absolutely ruining their credibility. This last video is a perfect example -- however fun and just plain silly it truly is -- of that latter idea. Enjoy.
