September 2013

Arcade Fire "Just A Reflektor" (Anton Corbijn, dir.)

If you're gonna go big, you might as well let it go to your head.

The new Arcade Fire video has a mirror ball and a mirror man, giant head shells that the band wears, and a magical mystery mission. It's directed by Anton Corbijn, and the song is produced by James Murphy with backing vocals by David Bowie. Not a bad triumverate (and that's in addition to the Google Chrome interactive video they released earlier today). 

Eminem "Berzerk" (Syndrome, dir.)

It took a certain kind of lunatic to create a compilation VHS tape: Two VCRs, bouncing clips back and forth and then proceeding to degrade it with every dub you made for friends. And that is exactly what we have with "Berzerk," an homage to old-school rap — the most obvious cues are Beastie Boys "So What'cha Want," the album art for LL Cool J "Radio," and guest star Rick Rubin, who produced this track and the early Beasties and LL stuff, plus lots more — mixed together with street fights and other mayhem to create a blaze of fuzzy glory.

Kick it!

Arcade Fire's Interactive "Just A Reflektor" Video via Google Chrome, a Webcam and Your Phone

The new Arcade Fire video "Just A Reflektor" is more than just that. Yes, you're encouraged to let the browser turn on your webcam and then you go to a special URL on your mobile device so you can hold it aloft and see it impact and get reflected on the screen. But, it's also a showcase for several impressive and processor-intensive technologies that you can go back and explore more in-depth. It's also a tool to bring light to Haiti, a place where the band has previously focused charitable efforts.

But, the main effect if you do as you're directed is that you're forced to pay attention: Your computer is tied-up to create the video effects and your iPhone (or whatnot) is pointing away from you, for once, and you realize that this may be the first seven minutes in a long time where you're not checking your email or otherwise distracted.

And that is the neatest trick of all...

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