February 2011

WATCH THIS: Lady Gaga "Born This Way" (Nick Knight, dir.)

The introductory pink triangle that gets bisected into the letter V gives you some indication of what to expect in this magnum opus by Lady Gaga and visual artist Nick Knight. A lengthy sci-fi intro — one which has me wishing Marlon Brando could cameo as Jor-El — establishes Gaga as the Eternal Mother, literally giving birth to all creation in a series of perhaps graphic, or merely kaleidoscopic shots. The main dance performance and accompanying dead wedding set-up uphold the "accept yourself" aspect of the song, showcasing her in a variety of often beyond-human looks. As usual, it's way more ambitious than needs to be and also way more transgressive than what usually tops the charts.

WATCH IT: Timothy Bloom + V. Bozeman "Til The End..." (Dave Rodriguez, dir.)

Shouldn't be a surprise that two naked people in a loving, full body embrace makes for a compelling music video. Film director Dave Rodriguez goes for an updated D'Angelo "Untitled" vibe with singer Timothy Bloom and V. Bozeman looking like like they're ready for the camera to stop so they can consummate this baby-making tune. -->watch "Til The End Of Time"

WATCH IT: Wolfram "Fireworks" (Wolfram, dir.)

There's some wonderfully absurd about embedding YouTube into Vimeo. It's, like, exta post-modern (or copyright infringing). Inspired by fan videos, this video is essentially a complilation of YouTube clips and other bits of media all manipulated on a computer in realtime to this Wolfram track featuring Hercules & love Affair. --> watch "Fireworks"

Wolfram f/ Hercules & Love Affair "Fireworks" Wolfram, director 

WATCH IT: Dr. Dre f/ Eminem "I Need A Doctor" (Allen Hughes, dir.)

When a man drives a Ferrari to a cliff in order to contemplate their life and potentially ending it, chances are he's going to drive away. Unfortunately for Dr. Dre, he's so haunted by memories — from N.W.A. to solo success to discovering Eminem to his own family matters — he loses control of the steering wheel and winds up at death's door. With that as the backstory, perhaps to explain his multiple year absence from making music, director Allen Hughes (Menace II Society, The Book Of Eli) delivers a rehabilitation story, with Eminem giving a pep talk to get Dre re-animated. Finally with about a minute or so left, Dre finally heeds the call and shifts into gear, getting up and back on the mic.

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