My Adventures In YouTube week of 12/08

Best. Movie. Trailer. EVER.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 11/10

Some Feist. Oh...just because. Enjoy.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 10/13

I consider myself to be quite versed in the world of pop music, Madonna and Prince were the king and queen of my aural universe growing up, and I've been on the lookout for someone to pick up their mantle ever since. Britney and the others have been interesting but always seem to disappoint. So imagine my joy in getting a hot tip about a young lady from NYC named Lady GaGa that seems to have that hunger to make it that I haven't seen since Madonna proclaimed to us that she had found her Lucky Star. YouTube one of her many recent live performances to see that GaGa doesn't lip-sync, actually performs and creates something that's been missing from pop in a long time: a personality.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 9/13

Belgian artist Milow has gone and done quite a bit of help in reworking 50 Cent and JTs version of "Ayo (Technology)" and even made a sweet video for it. Why couldn't this have been a slam dunk on the first try? Some artists really need to think outside the box.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 9/2

Though the video isn't as cool as the one I directed in my head for it (picture french fries, bowling, Estelle in a high fashion Lady Liberty-esque frock and something involving an update of a scene from GREASE 2...for starters) I can't get Estelle's AMERICAN BOY out of my head these days. Chances are that when I drive by you on the street I'll be blasting this number. Now, this also begs the question, who wants to be MY American boy? Picture it: French fries, bowling, a Lady Liberty-esque suit for me, updates of scenes from GREASE 2, and that's just the first date.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 8/25

It has been said that John Waters/drag paramour/80s disco icon DIVINE borrowed her persona from actress Isabel Sarli in FUEGO and I say that may have been one of the most incredible decisions of the 20th century.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 7/11

My favorite new music video. Oh, just because...
Te quiero, Goldfrapp. Te quiero mucho.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 06/09

Miranda July is a genius. Whether writing/directing/starring in the amazing film ME YOU AND EVERYONE WE KNOW or just writing period, she is smart, funny and a little off her nut. She recently released a collection of short stories which you can learn more about via her awesome website HERE. I just came to discover a couple of videos she made to publicize the release of the stories in paperback. Enjoy. There are three but note that one is a link. Seriously, enjoy.


THIS IS A LINK TO TAKE YOU TO THE SECOND VIDEO

My Adventures In YouTube week of 6/01

I went to high school with the musical mastermind of the new wall of sound that is HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR and I can't believe how great the songs are. Not that I didn't think Mr. Butler was capable of creating such well crafted booty shakers but that 13 years was how long it took to get a peek into his heart and hear the sweet sounds just waiting to bust out. Featured here is a video for "Blind" featuring the incomparable Antony on vocals.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 5/4

Often my favorite music videos are for songs that have little to no words in them. It's like watching a blank canvas come to life. Recently French electro-duo Justice have been pretty smart in selecting some top notch folk to direct videos based on their songs. Their latest video for their song "STRESS" is pretty great. Full of nail biting tension and visual discomfort. You want to turn it off but just can't. I've attached it below, followed by the cheerier graphic design-a-palooza vid to their song "DVNO". That one rocks too.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 3/17

I’m a big lover of the music duo known as Goldfrapp. The sweet honey of Alison Goldfrapp’s voice and the electrifying heat of Will Gregory’s music make for a lovely remedy to the most broken ear. Their last two albums have been of the fast paced, sex-kitten variety (which I adore) but I’ve heard a lot of folks complaining of their new album, Seventh Tree, being a big, quiet downer. I choose not to listen to that rattle and just let the album, which is a great bridge back to their debut Felt Mountain, cover me like a pile of cool leaves. To that, I offer exhibit A&E.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 3/03

Imagine one of those urban legends about a star-crossed couple from the late 50's that ends up driving off of a cliff on a dark and windy road near Lover's Lane. When the police find the car with their bodies inside the radio is still on and playing a song. I'd like to think that The Raveonettes are the music that's stuck on that radio station for eternity. I like these guys, even more since it's apparent that they have a sense of humor to go along with their spooky licks. Enjoy their new video.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 2/10

I watch a lot of television and I've always been intrigued by what it takes to deliver a product and message in 30 seconds AND make me pee my pants laughing. The following Orbitz Gum commercial has been out for at least a year but it makes me smile everytime I see it. What the french, toast?!

My Adventures In YouTube week of 1/24/08

Feist is simply wonderful. Like sharing a milkshake with someone you love, her music is indescribable. Sure, everyone got tired of her "1,2,3,4" after Apple stretched it thin but her new single "I Feel It All" and its accompanying visuals bust the gate wide open for great new videos in 2008. Enjoy a few minutes of bliss.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 12/31

This was one of my favorite videos of the year that I'm pretty sure hasn't gotten much play on the ol' MTV. It's from a little artist named Charlotte Hatherley (for her song "Behave")and this video is just a perfect mix of animation, live action, music and theme. Actually, it actually transcends the word of music video to become more of a great short film...

My Adventures In YouTube week of 11/22

When I think of the 1990's I automatically think of the video work of David Fincher (director of ALIEN3, SEVEN, FIGHT CLUB, ZODIAC and other moody greats). He brought a style and creativity to music videos that is surely missing today. I've rounded up some of my favorites (sorry, but YouTube won't let me embed George Michael's FREEDOM) of his for you to reaquaint or be introduced. Be sure to check out Madonna's BAD GIRL. That video is particularly stellar.

Paula Abdul: COLD HEARTED SNAKE


Aerosmith: JANIE'S GOT A GUN


Billy Idol: CRADLE OF LOVE


Madonna: BAD GIRL

My Adventures In YouTube week of 10/18

Though only featuring 21 words sung over and over again over a mixed Chaka Khan track, Stardust's "The Music Sounds Better With You" is a song that fails to leave my CD collection. The group (which featured Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk) is simple, steady and surprisingly not annoying for a dance track. Early in his great career Michel Gondry directed the video which reminds me of my own summer days as a kid watching the MTV Top Video Countdown and drawing pictures. Man, I'm getting old.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 10/02

I was reminded the other day about the old TV show SOLID GOLD that used to play when I was growing up. For those unfamiliar a cache of dancers wearing skimpy outfits and nude pantyhose shimmied and shook their own dance routines to that week's Top 10 music hits. It really was something. Pop music and a little skin for the heteros, dance routines and spangles for the homos and all flash flash and jazz hands. This was truly one of those shows that you look at and think "Wow. That really would never work today would it?". Well, Darcel and all you crazy dancers, thanks for the memories.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 9/21

Picture it. Sicily. 1986. A young Keith Garcia (about 9) is hanging out watching HBO. Suddenly a movie starts and right out of the gate a song comes on and Keith is enthralled. The movie: Walter Hill's Streets Of Fire. Why: the Music, the Music, lone wolf Michael Pare, baby-faced Diane Lane belting out rock tunes and sweet cheeked Willam Dafoe. The movie looks and sounds unlike anything I had ever witnessed at the time(and most things I see nowadays). I want everyone to see this little rock fable and pump their fist in the air with joy. Here's the original trailer. Be sure to turn your volume up nice and loud.

My Adventures In YouTube week of 9/10

Ahh. Camp. Eighties. Really gay.
That's all I need to describe this gem, former soap star Brenda Dickson's personal video homage "Welcome To My Home". What could be better? How about a recent spoof by my new favorite funny ladies at JulieandJackie.com
Why would Ms. Dickson have done such a thing? Lord knows, but I'm glad no one ever questioned her. Original followed by the remake.