Major Lazer

Interesting... This is not a surprising reaction from any Major Lazer video or song.  In this video we juxtapose a pretty rockin song to a home environment and play it off as a dance kid routine/performance.  THe twist is that they have sharp objects.  It makes this video a little one noted, but this juxtaposition between everyday life and what we consider odd behavior is a theme Major Lazer seems to touch upon regularly.  It seems to work in this video because it always gives us detachment from the image.  Music clearly doesn't always fit the image and in these cases it draws us much more into the music while also at the very least, becoming amused with the image, even if it is almost an exact opposite of the tone of the song.    THe end isn't a super funny pay off and again almost hitting the same note, but it's nice, I kinda like it, but I also kind of hate it... that about sums up how I feel about Major Lazer.

Bon Iver

I have mixed feelings about this video.  While I absolutely love the nature photography, I find it hard to swallow the half developed story-line of a child following birds on a Journey through Iceland.  The filmmaker gets caught up with the intriguing juxtaposition of a young child alone in the wilderness.  He harps on this "shock value" instead of telling an actual story.  Because of this it becomes a collection of beautiful images all saying the same thing.   I think with videos like this they would be better off if we got rid of the kid and just had the beautiful photography.  Instead the filmmaker introduces a character, which comes with expectations that are not fulfilled in anyway.

Fleet Foxes

Wow.  This video has done a remarkable job at bringing new meaning to this song.  Honestly I had listened to this song before and didn't really get it.  After watching this I love the song, and that's what a good music video is all about.  Don't have much else to say.  Enjoy.

FLEET FOXES VIDEO

BLACK KEYS STRIKE AGAIN

This video is simple, sweet and fun.  All it is a guy dancing to the new black keys.  It's a great way to build the brand and advertise the new record because this time around they are going for this "everyday" bland type of visual vibe.  Great addition to the album promotion.

Satisfied

Tom Waits music videos have always had this unique sense of on the fly drunken spontaneity that seems to embody his music so well.  Though this style of "drunken fun" seems to be consistent throughout many Tom Waits videos, director Jesse Dylan's "Satisfied" might be the most honest interpretation of a Tom Waits song I've seen yet.

Only Tom Waits could pull off a video like this.  He has the outrage and command in his voice to keep a viewers attention as he stumbles around a vacant back yard.  It's also intriguing because the video doesn't show us much.  It's not just the performance that keeps us involved but it's what we don't see;  where is he?  Why is he here?  What is he on?  But the camera work is also on par with his performance.  We are almost dancing drunkenly with Tom Waits as we are shot in the head with blinding lights and loud beats. It's a scattered POV shot that drags us into his state of mind.  This music video brings new light to this song and gives it a place to live and breath, it feels natural, grimy and old, all the things I think about when someone says Tom Waits (no offense intended).  5 out of 5.

New Direction

So I started this blog with one concept, but it wasn't working for me.  SO I adapted and decided to write about and post music videos I love.

This video is pretty stupid, I'll give it that, but it's also oddly charming.  Though the performances of Fred Armisen and Charlyne Yi were kind of silly and a tad spotty, the black and white retro vibe is still pretty charming.  Having said this, my one pet peeve with music videos like this one is it's lack of development.  It has a kind of funny skit in the beginning that they exit pretty sloppily and then it's a bunch of running around and having fun for most of the song.  They could have done more, but they didn't fail, it's still captivating and the song itself will always hold up.  3 out of 5.

Recording

Been away from recording lately,  but will have some new stuff out soon.  but check out a good fall song, might go well with some seasonal beer.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgv6dKV03dA

new one coming

been drinking tons of pumpkin ale lately and working on a new song.  I love seasonal beer, so according, this song will have high production value so I may need some time.  I'll have a sample next week to show.  For now, here's some addition inspiration - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgv6dKV03dA

No song this week

Unfortunately I have been pretty sick the past couple of days, so I think it's best for my immune system if I stay away from drinking.  This also means no song this week, but stay tuned for next weeks Parker Station wine.

New Castle Rock song

So the other night I got very... influenced by Castle Rock.  I wrote a creepy little tune.  This is what I have so far, but I wouldn't be surprised if this develops into something else.  Thoughts?  Where should this go?  Do you like Castle Rock?

http://soundcloud.com/kevin-olken/castle-rock

In Prep

I am still in preparation for my musical pieces.  I have just bought all the correct supplies/influential drinks, in order to proceed to the songwriting process.  Here are my 6 first drinks.  Though I said I would write the dark n' stormy last week, I failed to get the proper requirements.  So this week I have all my ducks in a row, lets see how many songs I can do.

Dark n' Stormy - Goslings Rum

 Parker Station

 Castle Rock

 Seasonal Beer

 Sake

 Whiskey

FIRST SONG - DARK N' STORMY

Dark n' Stormy - This is my favorite drink.  Ginger beer with Dark Rum.  This week I will be writing a new song about this drink.  In the meantime I will be posting a series of influential songs that I listen to when I drink a dark n' stormy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho1dfA2K5rE