[So... better late than never... right?]
During the past few years, there has been a revival of sorts within the music video industry. Of course, much credit is due to our friendly billionaires Chad Hurley and Steve Chen (YouTube co-founders). Though record labels can't quite make up their mind if they love or hate the scene (sister sites included), the "one-click-away" audience continues to be the motivation for directors, artist, and amateurs. As a result, both creativity and artistry have only increased in recent years - a move away the over-the-top promotional scene that we all experienced midst the 80s and 90s.
Keeping in step with our other year-end lists (film , music , books, surprises ) and last year's MV favorites, we have compiled a collection of music videos that we believe fit the "wonder" criteria. Again... "We aren't making a Best of 2007' list in the sense that this is an exhaustive list of all things good - it is simply what we happened to engage with in 2007 that has caused us to think more about what is going on in this world, in our lives and what's behind it all."
The following are separated into two sections: "MVs of Wonder" and "Other Favorites" (fall just outside the wonder realm - but still worth the time). Each video was release in 2007. Don't forget to share your favorite.
Enjoy.
Cat Power - Where is My Love?
Directors: Josh & Xander
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If there was "a" favorite of the year, it would be this one. What is real? How do you/we see the real? Original write-up here.
Emily Haines - Our Hell
Director: Jaron Albertin
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Although we typically shy away from performance videos, it is used appropriately here. Lyrical and visual juxtaposition drives this piece. Original write-up here...
[ mov version]
Arcade Fire - Neighborhood #1 (Unofficial)
Directors: Neistat Brothers
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The "unofficial" music videos realeased by fans and filmmakers this year were a plentiful... this was a favorite.
Gui Boratto - Beautiful Life
Director: Cadú Datoro
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Sea & Cake - Crossing Line
Directors/Producers: Perish Factory
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The chaos of driving often enables mere "glimpses" of deeper stories... this vehicle wanted a bit more of the story.
Disown, Delete (feat. Chan Marshall)
Director: Karina Garcia Casanova
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Created for Fatcat Record's "Disown, delete" single, which features the vocals of Chan Marshall (a.k.a. Cat Power) and the amateur videography of Rich Horodner's 30 years of storm (hurricane) chasing. Again... juxtaposition.
[ mov version ]
Planet Earth Trailer (featuring Sigur Ros' Hoppipolla)
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"Officially" this is not a music video, but I'm not sure "wonder" bleeds through more than this "mash-up" of sorts. Original write-up here...
UNKLE - Burn My Shadow
Director: Miguel Sapochnik
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The sparse "narrative" year didn't seem to deter UNKLE from stirring things up again. This collaboration features Ian Astbury (from The Cult) on vocals. Anything remind you of another UNKLE video?
Arcade Fire - My Body is a Cage (Unofficial)
Editor: J. Tyler Helms
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YouTube saw a surge of "mashups" this year and Arcade Fire seemed to be a favorite.... this one was a a "wonderful" idea. Featured also here...
Familjen - Det Snurrar I Min Skalle
Editor/Director: Johan Söderberg
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Not sure if you've heard the news... Swedes were "in" in 2007. This one undoubtedly competes for "the" favorite video of the year. Mashing THIS music with THIS stock footage is simply brilliant. You can't listen without dancing, can you? Original write-up here...
Dizee Rascal - Sirens
Director: W.I.Z.
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A powerful commentary on urban life - the "hunt" and the "hunter". Big production. If you liked this one, check out this one...
[ mov version ]
The Bees - Listening Man
Director: Dominic Leung
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Who said wonder must always be deep and abstract? Can't it be cute too? Ladies and Gentlemen... Introducing Mr. Listening Man:
Cornelius - Like a Rolling Stone
Directed by Koichiro Tsujikawa
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Stop animation made a splash in 2006, and here it is again. A commentary on.......?
PERFORMANCE
Kanye West - Can't Tell Me Nothin'
Director: Michael Blieden
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The concept of Kanye's "Version 2" Of Can't Tell me Nothin' is "nothing" but genius. Featuring Zach Galifianakis and Will Oldham (a.k.a. Bonnie "Prince" Billy), absurdity is taken on at a whole new level. Another "competitor" for the top video fo the year. Original write-up here...
Common - The Game
Director: NEON
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Hip-hop meets poetry.
[ mov version ]
St. Vincent - Jesus Saves, I Spend
Director: Michael Blieden
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The innocence of Annie Clark, children, and these thought-provoking lyrics earns this video a spot here. Original write-up here...
AMATEUR
Tom Waits - Come on Up to the House (Unofficial)
Director: Anders Lövgren
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Low budget. High time. An appropriate way to handle the lyrics of Waits. Original write-up here...
INNOVATION
Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Direoctor: Vincent Morisett
Site: BeOnlineB.com
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Technology continues drive the progress of music videos and yes, this is "another" Arcade Fire video (of sorts). What can we say... Canadians know how to innovate. Originally write-up here...
ANIMATION
Mika - Lollipop
Director: Bonzom (Passion Pictures)
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A favorite in the "animation" scene this year. This is like a pleasant liste your first few go arounds, then, well... you'll eventually hate us for it. But, come on? Incredible animation. Well done Passion (who also did the latest Bravia AD ).
CHOREOGRAPHY
Bat for Lashes - What's a Girl to Do?
Director: Dougal Wilson
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Dark. Eerie. Creative. A highly acclaimed video where Donnie Darko meets Rad. (Come on, annyone claiming to have seen Rad?)
RJD2 - Work it Out
Director: Joey Garfield
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A performance art piece featuring Bill Shannon who has "bilateral hip deformity". Unbelievable. Original write-up here...
Michael Jackson (Sort of) - Thriller
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A YouTube phenomenon this year. The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (in the Philippines) performs the classic Thriller music video. Absurd. Bizarre. Brilliant.
Feist - 1, 2, 3, 4
Director: Patrick Daughters
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Of course, the beauty of this video was practically killed by Apple in the new Nano launch. But hey, it's still got it in my opinion. Original write-up here...
Sonny J - Can't Stop Moving
Directors: Good Times
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The "throw-back" video of the year. Get ready to get your dance on. Original write-up here...
ART DIRECTION
Tuk - Rock and Roll Dreams Come Through
Director: Kurt d'Haeseleer
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Music videos as "art" is nothing new and many represented above would certainly fall under this category. This said, there are few that create visual art without boundaries. Don't think it's a bad connection when you listen... all part of the experience.
[ mov version ]
The Softlightes - The Microwave Song
Director: Kris Moyes
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The Softlightes received our "coolest" shout-out last year . They definitely aren't shy of trying something new.
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Related Content: rednoW's Favorite Music Videos of 2006
