01.20.15: The Last VJ’s Top 5 Music Videos of the Week
Welcome to The Last VJ, music fans! This may be the most eclectic mix of videos I have ever presented in this column. It’s a nice break considering the last couple of weeks were mostly about how badly they could disturb you. Nope, this time we’re getting both artsy and fartsy, with epic space tales, interpretive dance, and a tiny bit of drive-in movie at the end. Get ready to see what music videos did this week to entertain you!
Kina Grannis, “Oh Father”
I have a love/hate relationship with Kina Grannis because I love her music but it rarely translates into good music videos. It’s not that they’re bad, mind you; just that they’re very small in scope compared to the vast emotional landscape that is her songs on the audio level.
“Oh Father” is probably the best video she’s done since she exploded onto the internet music scene with a stop-motion jelly bean creation. Teamed with director Erica Dasher we get a really touching interpretative dance piece that is beautifully shot. It’s like if Freneticore tackled the surreal art of René Magritte right down to the bowler hats and umbrellas. Grannis is a marvel in the vid, displaying a sweetness and a vulnerability amidst the oddly cold environment around her. You just want to buy her an oversized stuffed bear, which I’m sure was the point. It’s a little repetitive and long, but still harkens back to the glory days of killer Mark Romanek vids.
Oh, and musicians? Keep up the new wave of interpretative dance stuff. That Sia performance on Saturday Night Live kicked all the ass.
KNTRLR, “XXX”
You know what I love? People who think big. Even if they don’t really pull it off I would rather watch someone aim for the stars and hit the moon than just stay on the planet and call space travel “gey” or something.
Witness exhibit “XXX”, a video epic in length and scope directed by Dan Bowhers. It follows two humans played by Josh Olkowski and Lizzy Mulkey living in a robot dystopia. They are captured, tortured, and attemped Cybermanned only to escape and make love on the roof under the swirling night sky.
Now, it’s cheesy as hell. I mean that. It’s Syfy cheesy, but it’s also beautiful. There is such joy and energy and attention to meticulous detail that you can’t help but love it. Music videos are supposed to be a song come to cinematic life and by God “XXX” did not screw around with that. It wouldn’t win an Oscar, but you’re welcome to a Jefy for Best Special Effects and Best Post-Torture Sex Scene.
