Turns out I’m a visual guy. Is that a redundant statement? Yes.
Great music videos can actually complete great songs where you never knew a part was even absent. I’m constantly awed by the massively creative (and sometimes drug induced) ways video directors shine songs in new multicolored lights. This Sonic Stew is all about the visuals. Here are some great examples of songs where the video is the missing piece.
Watch the video. Then, if you like it, grab the track. Advice: take it slow.
1) Eugene McGuinness – “Fonz”
Stop Action has had it’s day. We get it. It’s great editing. But with Eugene McGuinness it just proves the playfulness of the song.
Watch “Fonz” here.
2) Ungdomskulen – “Idunno”
Nordish gut rockers get in front of a green screen and become Lawrence of your Arabia.
Ungdomskulen – Idunno.mp3
3) 88-Keys – “The Friends Zone”
This song was obviously written with specific girls in mind. Take a journey through high school with 88.
Watch the video here.
88 Keys – The Friends Zone (ft. Shitake Monkey).mp3
4) Phantogram – “Mouthful of Diamonds”
This is one of those mood inducing clips. Shifting frame and focus will keep you guessing till the end (?).
Gaze upon it here.
Phantogram – Mouthful of Diamonds.mp3
5) Mew – “Repeaterbeater”
Now this is what I’m talking about. A music video is designed not just to reiterate the song, but to bring something new to the table. If your band has a subconscious desire to play with your band, you know it’s good. This is a beautiful in every single way. The sound editing, the lighting, the Danish, the Coronel Sanders therapist, the plot outline, the sequencing, the weather outside; everything.
Mew – Repeaterbeater.mp3
6) Esser – “Headlock”
Simple lyrics, simple danceable beat and a simple concept: put on a show and have catholic school girls dance lockstep.
Watch it there.
Esser – Headlock (Midnight Conspiracy Dubstep Remix).mp3
7) Elizabeth and the Catapult – “Taller Children”
I love the thumping screen. The many frames reflect Elizabeth’s many vocal stylings.
Elizabeth and the Catapult – Taller Children.mp3
8. Chromeo – “Night by Night”
As if the song isn’t enough. Singer David Macklovitch pulls some sweet 80’s dance moves with various fine Jewish women. Chromeo is “the only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture.”
Chromeo – Night by Night.mp3
9) Noah and the Whale – “Love of An Orchestra”
The Twickenham band always makes great videos. But they stray from Wes Anderson and make a clip full of surprises. It’s taken from a much larger movie that accompanies the full length of The First Days of Spring.
Your eyes go here.
Noah and the Whale – Love of An Orchestra.mp3
10) Toro y Moi – “Talamak”
Yes Lighting. Yes Yes Lighting. Lighting Yes. Yes. Yes.
11) Tiga – “Shoes”
Disturbing, literal and to the point. The video is easily half the song. See the shoes. Be the shoes.
12) The Raveonettes – “The Last Dance”
For a song about a drug addiction, the vid sure paints a very drug induced fantasy. Irony may or may not be lost, but you’ll have fun watching.
The Raveonettes – The Last Dance.mp3
13) The Galaxy Asteroid Tour – “Golden Age”
I take it back. The whole crew must have been smoking something while they put this one together. But it’s beautiful.
Seizure inducing fun here.
The Asteroid Galaxy Tour – Golden Age.mp3
14) Still Life Still – “Kid”
In a school full of horrors, a band playing music seems holy.
Can you make it ??????
15) The Postmarks – “Go Jetsetter”
Candy sweet song has amazing artistry supporting it. You’ll want to don your fedora and shoulder sweater to “Go Jetsetter”.
Your pass is here.
The Postmarks – Go Jetsetter.mp3
16) Miniature Tigers – “Cannibal Queen”
A man’s (?) extreme love for his doll. No, not that kind of love. And not that kind of doll.
Miniature Tigers – Cannibal Queen.mp3
17) Marina and the Diamonds – “Mowgli’s Road”
This video actually makes the song less understandable for me, but Marina is unique. You have to give her that. Cuckoos just don’t belong in any person’s repertoire.
Bounce with her here.
Marina and the Diamonds – Mowgli’s Road.mp3
18) Lissy Trullie – “Ready for the Floor (Hot Chip Cover)”
She’s cute.
See her dimples here.
Lissy Trullie – Ready for the Floor (Hot Chip Cover).mp3
19) Fan Death – “Reunited”
The song IS the video, this video IS the song. You can’t separate them. An odd journey with a (very) grown-up Strawberry Shortcake ensues.
20) Eulogies – “Two Can Play”
Featuring Nikki Monninger (Silversun Pickups), Peter Walker proceeds to let a girl tie him in Tennis. Which is waaaaaay worse than losing to a girl. Eyeeegh. Very pleasant song to listen to though.
Watch the emasculation.
21) Friendly Fires – “Skeleton Boy”
An odd occurrence happens sometimes when the sound a video doesn’t quite match the sound of the original song (Yeasayer). In the case of the Friendly Fires, they redid “Skeleton Boy” with more pomp and flair, releasing the update as a single, thereby making more money and making a better sound.
Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy.mp3
Hope you enjoyed!
-Matt
