Nine By Design 8

Who out there in "Readerland" remembers when MTV played music videos?  I do, I do.  Today, we'll be revisiting those glory days.  I just won't be doing the traditional great videos, Thriller, Money for Nothing, Sledgehammer, etc.  I always want to show you that there are other great things in music, that you might not be familiar with, but some will still be old favorites.  On with this week's list...

Music Videos:

 "Cry" by Godley and Creme was a groundbreaking video when it came out.  Using a face morphing technique that would be copied in other videos.  Most notably "Black and White" by Michael Jackson.  This was their first and pretty much only hit after leaving the band 10cc.  

"Bastards of Young" by The Replacements was just another way the band could snub their noses at the music industry.  If you want us to make a video, we're going to do it our way.  By not appearing in it, because the music is more important than anything else.

"California" by Wax, is the first video on the list directed by Spike Jonze.  The band just got back together after doing a variety of other projects, including 22 Jacks (a really great band, with members of the Adolescents and Agent Orange).  Both bands are worth checking out.

"Walkie Talkie Man" by Steriogram and "Fell In Love With A Girl" by The White Stripes are both included as one entry, since I couldn't make up my mind which one to use.  So this week, you get ten entries, but don't tell boss.  Shhhh...I'm a sucker for animation and both of these are very well done in my opinion.

"Can't Even Tell" by Soul Asylum and directed by Kevin Smith.  Soul Asylum and other influential bands like, Alice In Chains were an integral part in helping Clerks become a breakout hit.  It also didn't hurt that they were two of the biggest bands in the world at the time.

"Human Behaviour" by Bjork is actually pretty straight forward and for Bjork, that's amazing.  It's a really great song and the video doesn't disappoint with it mix of animation and imagery. 

"Dirty Boots" by Sonic Youth is a post-modern boy meets girl type of story.  They meet in the mosh pit.  It's also a bit of a rip on grunge music, even though, it didn't really exist yet.  The girl wears a Nirvana shirt, but Nevermind, wouldn't be released for another five months or so.

"Tommy the Cat" by Primus might be the best representation of the band musically and visually.  It shows off their amazing jazz, funk metal chops and their weirdness.  Remember, the band includes Les Claypool, who was "too good" for Metallica.  It also has the extra bonus of Tom Waits voicing Tommy the Cat.

"Weapon of Choice" by Fatboy Slim, is the second video on the list directed by Spike Jonze.  The man does good stuff, what can I say?  It also stars Christopher Walken, who was a professional dancer before becoming an actor.  He really shows off those skills here.  Walken is one of life's all-time great characters and he's just full on in this video.

Definitely, a fun way to spend a Friday.  Watching great music videos, because there are such things.  MTV has just forgotten that and it's very sad.  Have a great weekend.  Cheers!.