No Knock
Spec Boogie
For the first review on Threeminute Opera, I decided to take a look at the debut video "No Knock" from indie hip-hop artist Spec Boogie. I did this for two reasons, both somewhat connected: 1) I sort of know the guy. Well, we were both at the Okayplayer barbecue, anyway. In this increasingly disconnected world, I imagine that counts for something. But more importantly, full disclosure notwithstanding, 2) It's a great example of what I look for in a music video.
Underground hip-hop videos generally fall into the "rap into the handheld camera" camp, and I can't say with any sort of straight face that I've appreciated many that ventured into more... ahem... creative directions. As a basic rule, the more basically on-message the indie hip-hop video tends to stay, the better for all concerned. This one makes me quite the believer: Stark still images zoom by and enhance the story Spec tells over a frantic few minutes. These are images of police, of a love/hate relationship with NYC, of despair... and yet, with all going on there are a total of three moving characters for the entire video (four, counting the intro). It's affecting stuff, and a brilliant first effort for all involved.
Remember Me
British Sea Power
This is the video for "Remember Me" from theatrical rock outfit British Sea Power and boy is it a doozy. At times frightening, at others humorous, and instilled with an underlying sense of sadness, the gist of it concerns ancient statues coming alive and singing. That's it. But it's not overdone and silly in any way; it's done in such a way that you start to feel sorry for them. As if they're pleading in some way for recognition. The excellent and anthemic rock track playing in the background almost becomes part of the visual, and the direction is urgent and pleading. Special thanks have to be given to the make-up artists that worked on the band; their ability to look like moving weathered bronze statues is especially disturbing.
As is the ending.
Other videos notable for their excellence in directing include Pharcyde's Drop, which features the legendary So. Cal hip-hoppers performing the video in reverse on a crowded Los Angeles street. We have Spike Jonze to thank for that (pay attention for two Beastie Boys cameos as well). Thom Yorke of Radiohead actually allowed himself to be submerged in some sort of space helmet device for the eerie No Surprises video... yes, folks, that's honest-to-god gasping for air. He goes on to finish the song being the trouper that he is. Beck's videos for his classic Odelay were all vastly memorable. The Midnight Cowboy inspired Devil's Haircut features here. Finally, Xzibit's What You See Is What U Get shows us the earlier days of the Pimp My Ride star; you know... walking through a urban war zone, performing at an impromptu show, bringing his wife the groceries. It was a simpler time...
(Click on video titles to go to their YouTube links)
Until Next Time,
Maurice
Spec Boogie
For the first review on Threeminute Opera, I decided to take a look at the debut video "No Knock" from indie hip-hop artist Spec Boogie. I did this for two reasons, both somewhat connected: 1) I sort of know the guy. Well, we were both at the Okayplayer barbecue, anyway. In this increasingly disconnected world, I imagine that counts for something. But more importantly, full disclosure notwithstanding, 2) It's a great example of what I look for in a music video.
Underground hip-hop videos generally fall into the "rap into the handheld camera" camp, and I can't say with any sort of straight face that I've appreciated many that ventured into more... ahem... creative directions. As a basic rule, the more basically on-message the indie hip-hop video tends to stay, the better for all concerned. This one makes me quite the believer: Stark still images zoom by and enhance the story Spec tells over a frantic few minutes. These are images of police, of a love/hate relationship with NYC, of despair... and yet, with all going on there are a total of three moving characters for the entire video (four, counting the intro). It's affecting stuff, and a brilliant first effort for all involved.
Remember Me
British Sea Power
This is the video for "Remember Me" from theatrical rock outfit British Sea Power and boy is it a doozy. At times frightening, at others humorous, and instilled with an underlying sense of sadness, the gist of it concerns ancient statues coming alive and singing. That's it. But it's not overdone and silly in any way; it's done in such a way that you start to feel sorry for them. As if they're pleading in some way for recognition. The excellent and anthemic rock track playing in the background almost becomes part of the visual, and the direction is urgent and pleading. Special thanks have to be given to the make-up artists that worked on the band; their ability to look like moving weathered bronze statues is especially disturbing.
As is the ending.
Other videos notable for their excellence in directing include Pharcyde's Drop, which features the legendary So. Cal hip-hoppers performing the video in reverse on a crowded Los Angeles street. We have Spike Jonze to thank for that (pay attention for two Beastie Boys cameos as well). Thom Yorke of Radiohead actually allowed himself to be submerged in some sort of space helmet device for the eerie No Surprises video... yes, folks, that's honest-to-god gasping for air. He goes on to finish the song being the trouper that he is. Beck's videos for his classic Odelay were all vastly memorable. The Midnight Cowboy inspired Devil's Haircut features here. Finally, Xzibit's What You See Is What U Get shows us the earlier days of the Pimp My Ride star; you know... walking through a urban war zone, performing at an impromptu show, bringing his wife the groceries. It was a simpler time...
(Click on video titles to go to their YouTube links)
Until Next Time,
Maurice
posted by Maurice at 9:12 PM
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