seenyourvideo.com's Top 50 Music Videos of 2012

We’ve come to the end of year one of our music video blog, Seen Your Video, and there’s been an explosion of talent in music videos in 2012. Unlike some years that have been dominated by an elite group of ultra-talented directors, this year saw an extremely diverse collection of new talent taking center stage. Among the up-and-coming directors that impressed me this year are Emily Kai Bock, who’s received much acclaim for her aesthetically cutting-edge work and Ninian Doff, who’s incredibly inventive concept videos have wowed me again and again. It was also a great year for Yoann Lemoine who continued his visually spectacular videos (and is quickly breaking into the mainstream), DANIELS who are still the most exciting and groundbreaking directing team out there, and enduring oddball favorite, Andreas Nilsson who can pretty much do no wrong in my book.

The following is my list of the top 50 music videos of the year and I’ll note that it was both difficult to narrow this list down and also come up with any type of sensible ranking for the excellent selections, so consider the order to be about about 80% arbitrary. The best music videos this year encompassed the entire spectrum, with remarkably inventive concepts, biting social and political commentary, beautiful visual pieces, breathtaking animation, and dramatic, poignant storytelling all factoring heavily into the year’s best. These are the music videos from 2012 that I felt pushed the envelope of the medium and are worth your valuable time to watch and rewatch. The first 10 videos are embedded below, and hit the continue reading link below to go to seenyourvideo.com for the rest of the list. If you have any favorites that you think I missed, feel free to leave them in the comments. Enjoy!

50. St. Vincent “Cheerleader” (dir. Hiro Murai)

MP3 St. Vincent – Cheerleader

49. Mint Julep “To The Sea” (dir. a nice idea every day)

48. Hilary Hahn and Hauschka “Draw a Map” (dir. Eric Epstein)

47. Of Monsters and Men “Little Talks” (dir. WeWereMonkeys)

MP3 Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks

46. tUnE-yArDs “My Country” (dir. Mimi Cave)

MP3 tUnE-yArDs – My Country

45. Flying Lotus “Tiny Tortures” (dir. David Lewandowski)

44. Delta Heavy “Get By” (dir. Ian Robertson)

43. Grimes “Oblivion” (dir. Emily Kai Bock)

MP3 Grimes – Oblivion

42. JUSTICE “New Lands” (dir. CANADA)

MP3 Justice – Newlands

41. Danny Brown “Grown Up” (dir. Greg Brunkalla)

MP3 Danny Brown – Grown Up

Continue reading at Seen Your Video »

The Kids Are Alright (Children's Choir Mix)

Whether it’s Radiohead, Justice or Kanye West, lots of artists have used children’s choirs in their music and it can have the effect of sounding uplifting, cute, anthemic or just plain creepy. The Langley Schools Music Project album, Innocence & Despair showed that’s even possible to maintain the concept for an entire album and still be fascinating. Sigur Rós are the latest to use a children’s choir in their gorgeous track “Varúð” (translation: “Caution”) from their upcoming sixth LP, Valtari, and it inspired me to make a mix of some of my favorite uses of singing kids. Download below or listen to (most of) the mix at Spotify.

MP3 Radiohead – 15 Step
MP3 Gorillaz – Dirty Harry
MP3 Kanye West – We Don’t Care
MP3 The Smiths – Panic
MP3 Sigur Rós – Varúð
MP3 John Lennon – Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
MP3 Passion Pit – Little Secrets
MP3 The Wombats – Let’s Dance to Joy Division
MP3 The Decemberists – The Hazards of Love 3 (Revenge!)
MP3 Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
MP3 The Langley Schools Music Project – Space Oddity
MP3 Fun. – All Alright
MP3 Pink Floyd – Another Brick In The Wall (Part 1)
MP3 Jay-Z – Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
MP3 Karen O and the Kids – All Is Love

Spotify Mix: The Kids Are Alright (Children’s Choir Mix)

Commercial Watch: New Pornographers, Caribou, Best Coast, Those Darlins + more

It’s time for the annual Summer Edition of Commercial Watch, where I again highlight some of the songs that those marketing folks are harvesting for mass consumption. Since I realize most of you are the Hulu / DVR / next-day-on-youtube type, you’ve probably been blissfully unaware of the indie-savvy beer, car, and shoe ads that have been lighting up TV screens, so I’ve dug up some of the best ones for you. Lucky for you, there’s been a surplus in the past few months of indie music in commercials and it doesn’t look like the trend is going to stop anytime soon. The ads are all embedded below with MP3s included. Make sure to click the continue reading link to see the full post (it’s good till the last drop).

Amazon Kindle: The Book Lives On

MP3 The New Pornographers – Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk

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Molson Canadian: Reward Us

MP3: The Rural Alberta Advantage – Stamp

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2011 Lexus CT200h: Moment of Pure Discovery

MP3 Caribou – Odessa

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Bud Light Lime: Store

MP3 Peter, Bjorn and John – Second Chance

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2012 Kia Sorento: Joyride II

MP3 Those Darlins – Red Light Love

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Maxence Cyrin covers Arcade Fire, Justice

Here’s a quick post before LOST starts (Desmond episode tonight!). I found this beautiful piano cover version of Arcade Fire’s “No Cars Go” via Arcade Fire Tube. I did a little digging and found that French pianist, Maxence Cyrin has also covered artists from Justice and MGMT to Pixies and My Bloody Valentine. I’ve always been a fan of instrumental renditions of songs (years ago on this blog I used to do a weekly posts on string quartet tributes) and Maxence’s lovely piano interpretations are really hitting the spot. Check out Maxence’s youtube channel for some of his videos and download a couple of his MP3s below.

MP3 Maxence Cyrin – No Cars Go (Arcade Fire cover)
MP3 Maxence Cyrin – D.A.N.C.E. (Justice cover)

Buy Maxcence’s album, Novö Piano at Amazon.

Best Music Videos of 2009

Here listed before you are the absolute 25 finest music videos of 2009. I’ve watched dozens upon dozens of videos this year, and trust me, these are the best. All the videos are embedded below for easy viewability. Clicking on the song title will link you to the highest quality video. I’m estimating it would take a little over an hour and a half to watch all these videos, which should be no problem for you guys, right?

The videos listed here are the ones that I found to be the most visually interesting, uniquely executed, superbly edited, and just in general, wonderfully awesome videos of the year (although having a good song attached to it didn’t hurt it’s chances either). If you have any favorites videos from the year that you think I missed, make sure to let me know in the comments. Enjoy!

25. St. Vincent – Actor Out Of Work (dir. Territimely)

24. Asobi Seksu – Transparence (dir. Major Lightner) MP3

23. Dan Deacon – Paddling Ghost (dir. Natalie van den Dungen)

22. The Dead Weather – Treat Me Like Your Mother (dir. Jonathan Glazer)

21. The Phenomenal Handclap Band – 15 to 20 (dir. Moh Azima) MP3

Follow the jump below for the rest of the list!

Music Video Watch: Justice, Air, Land of Talk, etc.

There’s been some really good music videos popping up lately. Here’s five that I absolutely love. Great concepts, great visuals, great editing (the songs are swell also). Enjoy!

Justice / Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule (dir. Keith Schofield)

MP3 Justice / Lenny Kravitz – Let Love Rule

Land Of Talk – It’s Okay (dir. WeWereMonkeys)

MP3 Land of Talk – It’s Okay

Interstate – The Automatic (dir. Ewan Jones Morris and Casey Raymond)

The Phenomenal Handclap Band – 15 to 20 (dir. Moh Azima)

MP3 The Phenomenal Handclap Band – 15 to 20

Air – Sing Sang Sung (dir. Mrzyk & Moriceau)

MP3 Air – Sing Sang Sung

DJ Hero Gift Card Contest

One of the benefits of living in a college dorm was my introduction to the Guitar Hero, a game that I have developed a serious obsession with over the years. This year has already brought Guitar Hero 5, which is a great addition to the series and has the most indie-fied song list yet (TV on the Radio, My Morning Jacket, Elliott Smith). Last week DJ Hero a new addition to series for the more electronica/dance-inclined, had it’s debut. I was a bit skeptical of DJ Hero at first, mainly because the last thing my wife needs is another gaming peripheral taking up precious living room space, but after playing it a couple times I can honestly say it’s a ridiculously fun game and pretty much a must-have (it’s also been getting killer reviews elsewhere). I mean, seriously, you get to play as Daft Punk, Grandmaster Flash is your DJ professor, and the soundtrack includes club-banging artists like M.I.A., Dizzee Rascal, and Justice.

The good folks at Activision have given me a $25 dollar gift card to GameStop* to give away, which will knock a chunk out of a DJ Hero purchase. To enter all you have to do come up with a totally excellent DJ name*. I’ll choose my favorite and have the prize sent to you. Be creative y’all! Leave entries in the comments and make sure to include your email address so I can get in touch if you win. Contest ends in a week.

MP3 Daft Punk – Robot Rock
MP3 Justice – Genesis
MP3 Grandmaster Flash- The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels of Steels

If you haven’t seen DJ Hero in action check out their youtube channel and watch some of the videos. But really, they don’t do the game justice, you gotta play it yourself for the full experience.

*Update: Nathan Bishop is the winner. Congrats Nate (aka DJ Blacklung Lazybones).

T.A.I.S.T.M. (The Acronym In Song Titles Mix)

Occasionally I like to make mixes that highlight eccentricities in song titles, and one of these that I come upon ever so often is songs with acronyms in or as their song title. I found nine songs, all of which I very much enjoy, that uses this unique titling method. I only counted ones that actually have a meaning (unfortunately that excludes D.A.N.C.E.). You can download the songs and see what the acronym means below.

Fun fact: The term “acronym” has only been around for a little over 50 years but acronyms are at least as old as the Romans, who would abbreviate the ancient Roman government (Senatus Populusque Romanus in Latin) as SPQR.

of Montreal  – Requiem For O.M.M.2

“of Montreal Mark 2” is a term used by of Montreal purists to describe the second line-up of the band which began after Aldhil’s Arboretum.

MP3 The Flaming Lips – The W.A.N.D.

“Will Always Negates Defeat”.

MP3 Outkast – B.O.B.

You know this one. “BOMBS OVER BAGHDAD” YEAH!

MP3 Wilco – ELT

“Every Little Thing”. (also Wilco is short for “will comply”, a radio term)

MP3 Justice – DVNO

DVNO is short for “El Divino”, which is the name of any night club where you have to be wearing a white shirt to get in.

MP3 Broken Social Scene – TBTF

As the chorus states this means “to beautiful to f–k”.

MP3 TV on the Radio – DLZ

Although not stated officially, but it’s been speculated it stands for “Designated Launch Zone”, a military aviation term.

MP3 Interpol – PDA

“Public Display of Affection”

MP3 Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

“Cash Rules Everything Around Me”, dolla dolla bill y’all!

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If you have any more good acronym song titles, post them in the comments…

Best Music Videos of 2008

The holiday season is upon us, which for any self-respecting music writer means making end-of-the-year lists.  I, like many a blogger, live for this kind of year-end reflection, so this will be the first of many lists.  Here before you are the absolute 25 best music videos of the year 2008.   All the videos are embedded below for easy viewing, but I highly recommend you watch the higher quality version, which you can view (if available) by clicking on the song title. Except for the five at the end (the best of the best) the order is completely random.

The qualifications for this list are the video must be visually interesting, uniquely executed, with a song that’s pretty good as well.  Superb editing and gorgeous cinematography doesn’t hurt either. Basically I didn’t put a video on this list if it’s not was worth your time (it’s not like you have anything better to do over the holidays than sit for an hour and a half watching music videos though, amirite?).  As always, If you have any favorites videos from the year that you think I missed, make sure to leave it in the comments. The first three are embedded below, but you’ll have to click through to see the whole list.

Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor (Dir. Nima Nourizadeh)

The Ting Tings – Shut Up and Let Me Go (Dir. Alexand Liane)

Okkervil River – Lost Coastlines (Dir. Seth and Bobby) MP3

Click the link below for the rest!

Nano-approved Party Mix / Chairlift's "Bruises"

The new rainbow-themed iPod Nano advertisements on Apples website and the new commercial feature the next generation of Nano’s hot new color scheme and show off the bigger screen’s album art-displaying-skills.  I think beyond the cool visual of the whole thing the music choices that appear on these Nanos is very interesting.  In fact, if you put these songs (minus a couple) into a playlist they could very easily pass as a mix for any pitchfork-reading hipster’s dance party.

You’ve got a some Justice, some Interpol, you throw in a big mainstream hit like “Stronger”, add a couple of relative unknown electro blog-buzzed acts like Calvin Harris and Datarock, and provide a sappy ironic sing-a-long song like “You’re Beautiful” to top it off. You could even use some mellow, folky stuff like Matt Costa for a cool-down song in between all the dancing. Don’t know if this is what the Apple folks were planning, but I got to hand it to them for again delivering with some good tunes in their ads.

MP3 Calvin Harris – The Girls
MP3 Interpol – C’mere
MP3 Justice – D.A.N.C.E
MP3 Matt Costa – Sunshine
MP3 Datarock – Fa Fa Fa
MP3 James Blunt – You’re Beautiful
MP3 Kanye West – Stronger

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Commercial Watch:

On a related note, I found that song on the new Nano commercial because it’s a nice song with a cool Casio synth beat and I’m sure some of you will also be looking for it.  It’s called “Bruises” by a Brooklyn band named Chairlift who is actually going to be on tour with Yeasayer pretty soon.  I’m definitely getting a Feist/Cat Power vibe from the vocalist here. I try to do handstands for you…

MP3 Chairlift – Bruises

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Albums spotted in the iPod Touch guided tour:

Cut Copy – In Ghost Colours
Datarock – Datarock
Death Cab for Cutie – Plans
Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
Digitalism – Idealism
Duffy – Rockberry
The Go! Team – Proof of Youth
Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
Hot Chip – Made In The Dark
Flight of the Conchords – Flight of the Conchords
Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
Jimmy Eat World – Jimmy Eat World
Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future
The Kooks – Konk
Ladytron – Velocifero
LCD Sounsystem – Sound of Silver
M.I.A. – Kala
M83 – Saturdays = Youth
Matt Costa – Unfamiliar Faces
MGMT – Oracular Spectacular
MSTRKRFT – The Looks
New Young Pony Club – Fantastic Playroom
The Raconteurs – Consolers of the Lonely
Ray LaMontagne – Til The Sun Turns Black
Rogue Wave – Eyes (Single)

Any iPod that’s playing M83, The Go! Team, and Cut Copy is fine by me.