Sunday, December 20, 2009

Word Up - Cameo/Korn

I'm off on holidays tomorrow for a well deserved break.

I will leave you with a same song different artist comparison from Cameo and Korn. I will say one thing about Cameo's clip. It takes a lot of chutzpah for a man to pull off a bright red codpiece!

To all of the people in the blogosphere, have a happy Chrissie and I will see you all soon.



Thursday, December 17, 2009

Röyksopp - What Else is There

Only a few days ago I was thinking about my favourite songs from the last five years and I can tell you the list was on the thin side. Not so much that I don't enjoy the music that is currently out there. More that they have to stand the test of time and a million plays on my mp3 before I give them props.

Today's track is an absolute stand out and in my opinion one of the best tracks in a long time. Röyksopp are a Norwegian electro band borrowing The Knife's lead singer Karin Andersson for the lead vocals. Karin Andersson only makes a brief cameo in the clip. The rest of the time it is model Marianne Schröder. This track is haunting and atmospheric which is complimented by an equally intriguing video clip.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Doctorin' The Tardis

It's a funny ol Monday morning. Even though I have a tonne of work to get through before the end of the week I and am a snow sled's ride away from holidays (yes it is Australia & a surfboard would have been more appropriate but dammit I am dreaming of a white Christmas!!!)

So what could be better for a strange Monday to kick off with an equally strange Gary Glitter inspired mash up about Dr Who?

Speaking of the Doctor, my boy is a huge fan in all of his sci fi geekery. I tried to resist the tractor beam appeal of the Doctor but finally succumbed. I think it was David Tennant that did it. Man he is good in that role. The new guy has some big shoes to fill. In the meantime I will just hope there are plenty of cameos by the Torchwood guys (especially Capt. Jack. I know he is gay but dayamm he is fine).

Anyway I digress. The Timelords are the same guys in the KLF or Justified Ancients of MuMu (JAMS). They basically did a lot of sampling and mashed up a track which isn’t half bad.

So here are the Timelords with Doctorin’ the Tardis.





Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Jarvis Cocker


My friend the honourable Miss Rach (on the left) and her sister Bec met Jarvis Cocker last night after his gig in Sydney.

HOW FUCKING COOL IS THAT!!!?

I have yet to get all the details so I will update once I have the full run down. Meanwhile enjoy this clip of Jarvis from the Ali G show singing "Help the Aged".

It starts around the 30second mark.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Music Videos - Steve Barron/ a-ha Take on me

During the early 80's music video was still in it's embryonic stages with the advent of MTV. Some artists cottoned on to the fact that music video was just going to get bigger while others like Joe Jackson did one video and refused any more (a decision which he admits is one of the worst in his life).

Steve Barron was a director during the time who came up with concepts for music videos. His videos are some of the most iconic of that era and indeed of all time.

I was astounded when I went through the videos that Steve Barron directed.
Here is a sample:
Bryan Adams - "Cuts Like a Knife", "Heaven", "Summer of '69"
Joe Jackson - "Steppin' Out", "Real Men"
The Human League - "Don't You Want Me"
Michael Jackson - "Billie Jean"
Dire Straits - "Money for Nothing"
ZZ Top - "Rough Boy"
Culture Club - "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me", "Time (Clock of the Heart)", "Church of the Poison Mind", "Karma Chameleon", "It's a Miracle", "Miss Me Blind"
a-ha - "Take on Me", "Cry Wolf", "The Living Daylights", "The Sun Always Shines on T.V."
Tears for Fears - "Pale Shelter"
Toto - "Africa", "Rosanna"
Madonna - "Burning Up"
Thomas Dolby - "She Blinded Me with Science"

Today's clip is a-ha's "Take on me". Apparently there was quite a bit of money invested in the clip. The record execs knew it was hit material but it wasn't charting well with the first video. In comes Steve Barron with his idea to create a world within a comic book. a-ha were a bit dubious because they didn't want to be known as a cartoon band but they went along with it. I'm sure all that money they made softened the blow as well.

So many people consider a-ha to be a one hit wonder 80's band. Not so at all. They have only just broken up after 9 albums. If you ever want to watch some interesting footage showing the popularity of a-ha just type in "Rock in Rio a-ha" into You Tube and watch the "Hunting high and low" clip. Those mad Brazilians knew every single word and sung along. This was an event which had appearing: Billy Idol, INXS, Faith No More, and George Michael just to name a few..and who did they go nuts for..a-ha.

So here is the Steve Barron directed clip "Take on me"