“Postcard from 1952” by Explosions in the Sky // Dir. Peter Simonite & Annie Gunn
An absolutely stunning video for one of the best song from Explosions in the Sky’s beautiful, “Take Care, Take Care, Take Care”. It’s no surprise that director Simonite also worked on Terrence Malick’s “Tree of Life” as a 2nd unit Cinematographer). Just beautiful stuff. Excuse me while I dig out my old Explosions records and then lament the end of Friday Night Lights.
“No. 1 Against the Rush” by Liars // Music Video (Dir. Todd Cole)
Gun against my head, I’d probably say that “No. 1 Against the Rush” is my favorite song of 2012 so far. There’s something so perfect about the way it builds and takes it’s time and never really boils over, but offers a dreamy, slightly sinister sound that is reminiscent of the best work of the band behind it (it also has an odd sense-memory of a Radiohead song that never was, but that only adds to the mystique). Todd Cole has put together a video for the new Liars track and it’s a suitably eerie and cinematic look into the world of a killer. That lost shot is especially creepy as the killer chokes out frontman Angus Andrew. Just cool as shit stuff going on here. Give it a look.
“Reflection of You” by Bear in Heaven // (dir. John Lee of PFFR)
Here’s the first official video from one of my most anticipated albums of 2012, “Reflection of You” by Bear In Heaven. It’s a neon-hued, zoom-fest that while basically just showcasing the band playing, is still a great accompaniment to the song. John Lee of PFFR (“Wonder Showzen”) is the director.
REAL ESTATE // PITCHFORK +1
As part of Pitchfork’s new collaboration with Youtube, they brought the cameras out to an alternative-venue show that featured Real Estate playing tracks from last year’s excellent Days. Here you’ll see the band sample some jams while intercut with interview footage from the Chinese buffet that is housing the show.
“Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” by Father John Misty // Dir. Noel Paul
J. Tillman (formerly of Fleet Foxes) has an album (Fear Fun) coming out under the moniker Father John Misty and here’s the first single and video, which stars Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, Scott Pilgrim, assorted other awesome things) as a drunken funeral guest who’s determined to fuck up things. The song itself is pretty much excellent as well. It’s a dark, charging, folk track with a pounding rhythm section and big melodies (not unlike what you’d find on a Fleet Foxes album). In fact, I’ve had that “Jesus Christ, girl…” line stuck in my head for the better part of two days. It’s a hell of a song. Definitely worth listening to if you’re a fan of Damien Jurado, Horse Feathers, or A.A. Bondy.
“Please Be My Third Eye” by La Sera // (dir. Vice Cooler)
Here’s a video for one of my favorite tracks of the year thus far, the insanely catchy “Please Be My Third Eye” by Katy Goodman’s La Sera project. Hopefully you have nothing against pretty girls singing in sunny SoCal locales (see that shit i did right there), because that’s exactly what you get with this video. Good stuff all around.
“Live Alone” LCD Soundsystem (Franz Ferdinand Cover) // (dir. Lustix)
Any opportunity to get James Murphy and the gang back on this blog is a welcome one, and this newly released video of their excellent cover of Franz Ferdinand’s “Live Alone”. The video is sadly lack of any new LCD Soundsystem footage, but it does feature some pretty great visuals built around shifting mechanics, city travels, and a pretty sweet flaming electronic heart. Definitely worth a watch or seven.
“A Case of You” by James Blake // (dir. Seb Edwards)
It would appear that the absolutely stunning, Rebecca Hall is a fan of James Blake and or Joni Mitchell because here she is in the new clip for Blake’s cover of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” that comes from this year’s Enough Thunder EP. It’s an intimate clip focusing primarily on Hall, interacting with her partner (the POV of the camera) in good times and bad. Good stuff.
“Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains) by Arcade Fire // Official “Traditional” Video (dir. Vincent Morisset)
Arcade Fire are back with a couple of videos for their excellent track “Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)”. The first is a more traditional video featuring Regine Chassagne singing and dancing about, while the other is another interactive video that reacts to your movements by using your webcam. Really cool stuff. Check the Interactive Video HERE.
“Hinnom, TX” by Bon Iver /// dir. Isaac Gale and David Jensen
Here’s a pretty little video accompaniment for Bon Iver’s “Hinnom, TX” that will be included as part of the Deluxe Edition re-release (featuring videos for all tracks) of Bon Iver that drops tomorrow. This piece in particular is heavy on atmosphere and light on storytelling, but it fits the music quite well.
“Oblivion” by Grimes /// Live by YoursTru.ly for MTVhive
A great live performance of one of my favorite songs of 2011. Definitely check this out.
“Down” by Summer Camp /// (dir.Chris Boyle)
According to GorillaVsBear, this delicious little video was “Made from more than 50 infinitely looping Halloween-themed .gifs” and that seems about right. Lots of cute people doing things on repeat in a Halloween setting. What’s not to enjoy?
“Come Pick Me Up” by Ryan Adams /// Live on BBC4’s Songwriter’s Circle (10.21.11)
I haven’t spent much time with Ryan Adams in these past few years, but seeing footage like this is a nice reminder that I should take a visit his way more often. Here, at BB4’s Songwriter’s circle, he is joined by Neil Finn and Janis Ian (two incredible singer/songwriters in their own right) on a killer take on his Heartbreaker classic, “Come Pick Me Up”.
“Give Us the Wind” by Future Islands /// Dir. Mike Anderson (2011)
Here’s a video for a song that will absolutely be on my favorites of 2011 list. It has an early Anton Corbijn vibe in that it’s beautifully shot and composed in stark black and white, and that the song in and of itself has a feel of 80’s modern rock nostalgia. It’s a pretty wonderful visual accompaniment to one of the best songs I’ve heard all year.
