Reviews and Clues on Music That Matters (to me)
2011. Looks like it’s about to have some more of the same. Which can be a good thing. Especially if it’s Ciara getting back into the habit of making tastefully grind-worthy club bangers. From the looks of “Gimme Dat”, it’s on. Not a bad way to begin the year I say.
Who reads Vibe any more? In spite of their general lack of relevance (and horrible web design), they happened to publish this wonderful nugget of inspiration. All under the guise of highlighting black models (who are barely visible. Go figure.). Even if this is technically a fashion tribute, it plays like an intense music video. Bjork never loses her capability for arresting response.
Another slight set back in the record industry embrace of technology. Warner steps away from their YouTube contract for streaming artist videos. Sad. I really was hooked on YouTubing that 4 Minutes video, Madonna. Warner is still honoring the video streaming contract at MySpace though. So, it seems like a bit of a personal grudge with the unquantifiable and suprisingly low monetizeable video sharing pinnacle.
I can’t say that I am totally siding with the Google folks since I don’t hear of any company making lots of money from any of the video sharing sites. A definite future prospect. But suspiciously slow for the marked advancement of streaming technology.
No brotherly love for Warner
After the blatant rip off of Justice’s “D.A.N.C.E” video for “The Good Life” and the blank check co-op of Japanese cartoons for the Graduation album title, is there anything else left to steal? Why yes, T-Pain’s autotuner. Just when you thought we had finally reached the end of vocoded bliss (even Pain has conceded that the days of electronic singing are numbered), Kanye has dedicated a whole album to it. But wait, he doesn’t sing? Neither does Lil’ Wayne. But that has never stopped either of them from picking up a pitch straightening mic (and in Wayne’s case, a guitar ???).
Furthermore, Kanye has stolen 65 Japanese animators for his latest release from 808′s & Heartbreaks, “Heartless”. The song is mind-numbing at best but the visual provides some entertainment. I can’t imagine watching it over and over again (thank God TRL just died). But I guess it”s just the coldest story ever told…
So, she’s actually letting her alter ego get a full album. This is news. Was this not the downfall of a certain “Vision of Love” singer that let her alter ego chase butterflies and bathe in Glitter? Women never learn….At least Sasha Fierce wants to party and dance her butt off. While the song is nothing special (as many have noted, it could easily be a reject from the insanity of B’Day), Beyonce redeems the mediocrity of music by dancing. Dancing so hard and long that you are simply mesmerized by the image. And the leotard. And the random metal sleeve on her arm. I’m thoroughly confused, but in a pleasant way. You be the judge.
Can it be??? Music on MTV??? Why yes! Yes, you can watch EVERY music video MTV has ever shown. You want to see Take on Me? Got it. Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time? Yep. Weird Al’s Eat It? It’s already been eaten. I guess this “change” message is even affecting the programming directors at MTV. Who knows, maybe The Real World may even give way to actual music again? Nah. How would we all keep up with the ex-housemates and their yearly challenges against Road Rules.
Radiohead wants YOU to make their latest video. Pick a song. Any song. From In Rainbows. And go at it. Co-sponsored with AniBoom, Radiohead will award one winner $10,000 (only £5,000 
to direct their latest video from my notable mention for Top Drop of 2007. If I had an abundance of time, a dollar, and a dream, I would be all for it.
Burn by Ray LaMontagne