"Blurred Lines" Parody with Mod Carousel

I don’t know too much about #RobinThicke besides, mainly, the fact that he has made a major transformation since his first popular release some years back (he was more of a grungy/hippy/soul singer). However, I do know that his song “Blurred Lines” has been a hit since its release this summer. I suppose part of that success is due to the video for the track that features nude, or at least nearly naked, women marching across a screen in front of Thicke and his crew (Pharrell and T.I.). The video seemed to have sparked a slight controversy due to the blunt objectification of women, but I’m still at a loss as to why so many people were shocked or surprised by such displays; sexy women and music have been tied together since the beginning of MTV, and even before. This curious uproar aside, and I am not saying the exploitation of the female form and the messages therein are okay, I do find this parody video featuring genderbending burlesque from Mod Carousel to be a much fitter representation of the idea of “blurred lines” when it comes to matters of sex, gender, sexuality, and identity. Check it OUT!

Pussy Riot, "Punk Prayer"

This is just another indication that the world is off-kilter. Yes, look to Russia and Mr. Putin for an example of why I can be rather pessimistic about the human condition--or that of our social structures. (I'm quite certain that in the next 5 years we will see drones flying above us, adroitly taking note and inventory of our lives.) I have personally felt and seen the continuing invasion of privacy and freedom of speech. And take note: sometimes such encroachments are clandestine. However, in the case of Pussy Riot, those tactics have been quite open and unapologetic. Members of the collective--mothers, sisters, daughters, partners, leaders, citizens--have been put on trial and face up to 7 years imprisonment for "hate crimes" against the church in Russia. Strange, at least it seems to me, since the true "hate crime" is the Russian governments forced squelching of the voices of citizens. We must hope that that attention their story is getting will help Pussy Riot escape from the clutches of a fiercely brutal and power-hungry political system. Furthermore, let their story be a warning to us all about the lengths the people-at-the-top will go to keep their privileged positions--including selling arms to a deadly regime in Syria or ebbing the human rights of its own citizens. See the video and words that started the fire below.

(Chorus)

St. Maria, Virgin, Drive away Putin
Drive away! Drive away Putin!
(end chorus)

Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners are crawling and bowing
The ghost of freedom is in heaven
Gay pride sent to Siberia in chains

The head of the KGB is their chief saint
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend the Holy
Women have to give birth and to love

Holy shit, shit, Lord's shit!
Holy shit, shit, Lord's shit!

(Chorus)
St. Maria, Virgin, become a feminist
Become a feminist, Become a feminist
(end chorus)

Church praises the rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
In school you are going to meet with a teacher-preacher
Go to class - bring him money!

Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, you better believed in God
Belt of the Virgin is no substitute for mass-meetings
In protest of our Ever-Virgin Mary!

(Chorus)
St. Maria, Virgin, Drive away Putin
Drive away! Drive away Putin!
(end chorus)

Tanlines/Janet Jackson

Tanlines have recently released Mixed Emotions, and I like it for the Simon-esque qualities (Paul). It's mostly playful--or, at least, it moves a bit. Though it is not without its serious moments. A favorite cut is "All of Me." The video is nice, too. However, listening the first time to the song, I was struck by an intertextual connection between it and Janet Jackson's "Escapade." I'm not sure if it's a mood, key, or just the beats, but I feel a bond between the two works. That's what led me to watching Janet's video alongside Tanlines' song. What a marriage! The tribal qualities of Tanlines' work meshes so well with the setting of the "Escapade" video--and just wait until the dancing begins! Mute Janet and start Tanlines at about the 50second mark: then watch Janet's classic video unfold to Tanlines' catchy jangle. Yes, the official video for "All of Me" is interesting enough on its own--a sort of post-communist club reunion gone bizarre, if that's possible. But the meshing with "Escapade" brings an even bigger smile to my face. I wanna go! Enjoy!

Noisey feat. Trippple Nippples

I love this photo taken by Alex Singh for Vice at a Trippple Nippples show--the guy's expression is one of awe and ecstatic thrill.  The Trippple Nippples put on crazy shows with full on electro energy. I enjoy Vice Media's Noisey site: on it you can see and listen to bands around the world at live shows and in interveiws. This video is "Meet Trippple Nippples." I enjoy the song "Tokyo City." The band is currently in Japan, but I hope they make stateside appearances soon--would love to experience a TN affair. In this mini-doc, the band throw a electro feather fueled bash in a Tokyo karaoke bar.

Is Tropical "The Greeks"

So, kids playing "war" with guns, etc.--harmless, right? This video made for Is Tropical's track "The Greeks" uses some intense animation to render just what it truly is that these little brats are playing at. Brilliant.
Source: DazedDigital HERE

Lykke Li--"I Follow Rivers"

Great video and song from Lykke Li, directed by Tarik Saleh, for I Follow Rivers. Lykke has had several great videos. I enjoy this clip due to the moodiness of it all: wind, snow, the sea, a forest--and she runs along covered from head to toe in black garb. It's nicely felt. And I'm a sucker for dramatic outdoor scenery. Enjoy!

Jacques Dutronc: Les Playboys

I have not idea what Jacques Dutronc is really singing about (most likely the ridiculousness of "playboys"), but the video is satirical enough to get the point. 60's french pop.
Pic from Varon Journal HERE.

Mark Ronson &The Business International w/ Boy George--"Somebody to Love Me"

I'm enjoying this song. I think it amazing to bring Boy George back on a contemporary track. His voice is a bit huskier and raspy, but you know it is him--he sounds good. The video is to take us back to 1982 when the Culture Club craziness was taking shape--sharp idea. Enjoy.
Mark Ronson site HERE

FM3 Buddha Machine

The FM3 Buddha Machine is a loop device that plays a selection of ambient soundscapes. The device has a speaker or you can plug-in headphones to take it with you on the go. I imagine that listening to the FM3 Buddha Machine while in transit--gazing out at the windows at all that passes--could be quite the experience. Or, just great to have on in the house. The Buddha Machine is interesting because there is debate as to how to describe it: is it more of an ambient album presented and packaged in a ready to play mode?; is it a lo-fi music maker?; is it a Pop Art piece using design and sound? No matter how you think about it, the Buddha Machine is a cool gadget that stimulates thought--particularly in regards to the idea of putting albums out as self-contained devices--and can help you relax and chill (you can even adjust the pitch or simply skip loops to suit your mood). You can also purchase a FM3 app from itunes if the plastic speaker device is too old school for you. Physical device or App: either way, the cost is not so great to have a cool conversation piece that actually has something to offer. Read more about the FM3 Buddha HERE on their site. You can also learn more and check out the Buddha in action in the video below or HERE on Selectism (Source).

Belle and Sebastian: Write for Love

B&S in support of the new album. Belle and Sebastian website HERE

Michael Clark: Puritan Choreographer

Michael Clark is a Choreographer who came to fame is the 1980's. These clips are from a film--somewhat of a mock-u-mentary--from 1987 entitled Hail the New Puritan directed by Charles Atlas. The film is centered on Clark and his team as they dance to some great music. It's like a psychedelic-punk freak out.  I'm interested in the title of the film as it is very similar to that of a literary manifesto that came out in the early 2000's--hmmm...At any rate, the dance is unique. Read more about the film and Michael Clark HERE from Big Other. 

Don't Be a "Dickhead"

Oh, the satire. Just be true to yourself and you will be fine no matter what others think--do it for yourself, not them...just don't be a dickhead about it, i.e. THINK. Very funny video and catchy song. Enjoy! Source: Zephyr-files HERE

The Irrepressibles--"In This Shirt"

The Irrepressibles' work lends itself to visionary pursuit such as the two examples below by Roy Raz and Shelly Love.

From The Irrepressibles' Myspace: "Led by composer and artist Jamie McDermott, The Irrepressibles are a 10-piece 'performance orchestra' that, through the power of their instruments, can transport and transfix, break moulds and collide worlds."





Source: Sundance Channel and The Irrepresibles' Myspace

Michael Jackson at Tokyo Disney Land

Michael Jackson is more popular after death than during the last decade of his life. Case in point: Captain EO 3-D adventure in Tokyo Disney Land. It was an attraction running from 1987 to 1996! You can read more about the film--directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas!! Whoa!--HERE. The Captain EO attraction is reopened at the Tokyo amusement park as demand for anything connected to the fallen pop star is soaring. It has been reported that Jackson's estate has made $1 Billion since his death. Watch the video below to see a snippet from the film attraction--so richly odd.
Source: Japan Probe

Siouxsie and the Banshees-"Arabian Knights"

I love this video for the "sword fight" montage about halfway thru. This is early '80's video at its best.

Emeralds "Candy Shoppe"

Emeralds is a band that can be classified as "Hypnagogic Pop." The term stems from a Wired article wherein this ambient sound is discussed. It's like hazily remembering all the 1980's sounds--somewhere in your subconcious--Korg keyboards, et al. You can read more about this style of music and the ideas behind its conception HERE. This is a video featuring the song "Candy Shoppe" by Emeralds--from Cleveland, Ohio. The video features some vintage track&field imagery.

Super Gaijin: funny video

So I am a bit of a Japanophile and while cruising some blogs I came across this jewel of a video. I think they guy portraying "Super Gaijin" is an actor or model (the video below is a commercial for shirt brand Nara Camicie--but funny too). "Gaijin" means foreigner in Japanese. The video is satire on the way some visitors and expats in Japan act--sticking out like a sour thumb sometimes, and trying to make Japan and Japanese more like them instead of the other way around (no acculturation).The English lyrics are below the video. Stupid Funny. Maybe you have to have lived there to appreciate...

Everybody in Japan, don't worry
It's O.K., because I'm a Gaijin
From now on, I'll save you
I'm a Gaijin ... cool
I don't understand Japanese
I want to speak English
From now on, I'll teach you
I'm a Gaijin ... cool
I've been all over Japan
Everybody says they like me
But I don't pay attention
I don't really like nato
I'm strong because I'm a Gaijin
Japanese people are delicious rice snacks
Super Gaijin is right here
In Japan ... Tochigi prefecture is famous
me, me, me
Gaijin, Gaijin, Gaijin
save, save, save you
super, super, super cool
I came from abroad
I'm a gaijin, nice to meet 'ya
I like samurai
I like bonsai plants
before I came to Japan, I watched manga
I thought that was cool
And so I came to Japan
I'm a Gaijin, nice to meet 'ya
Everyday, everyday I enjoy Japan
Everywhere I hear, "Save me!"
If that's the case,
Look! Here is a Gaijin
Don't worry, I'm here
Don't worry, Gaijin's skills
are numerous, so I can't lose
Japanese people and Gaijin ... fly!
me, me, me
Gaijin, Gaijin, Gaijin
save, save, save you
super, super, super cool

M.I.A. Born Free

M.I.A. has released a new video for "Born Free" off of her upcoming release. I've taken to posting a lot of music videos here recently and this clip is an example as to why: music videos, when done correctly, can be gripping and deliver powerful messages--putting glitz and glamor aside sometimes--in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. This video, directed by Romain Gavras is no acception. As Boing Boing put it, the video portrays a "global ginger jihad."

Massive Attack "Paradise Circus"

Massive Attack has a new album coming in May. Below is yet another brilliantly beautiful and haunting video, taken from the album HELIGOLAND, this is "Paradise Circus"

Roy Orbison "A Love So Beautiful"