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Current Video Reviews

Armor For Sleep - “Remember To Feel Real ”

Belle & Sebastian - “White Collar Boy “

Elf Power - “All The World Is Waiting “

Snow Patrol - “Chasing Cars“

Amber Pacific - “Poetically Pathetic“

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Armor For Sleep, recently signed at Sire Records, have released their first record on that label, What To Do When You Are Dead. The video, “Remember To Feel Real” is a good example of the somewhat darker feel to the songwriting on this one when compared to their previous work. They still have the indie sound and DIY ethic that has earned them a rabid fan base, but they’ve grown a bit more introspective.   

The most striking thing about the video is that the camera is in constant motion. It’s subtle, but combined with dramatic lighting, the traveling camera creates an almost palpable sense of nervous energy. Innovative work from an experienced director. – Rick Brown

Watch it at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-305089-videos--Armor-For-Sleep

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For a decade now, this Glaswegian septet has been producing quirky but amazingly well-crafted pop music, and this latest example is no exception. Mastermind Stuart Murdoch has always had a knack for creating hook rich melodies and slightly off kilter, occasionally surreal lyrics, and he’s front and center here with tale of skullduggery and its consequences.

Visually the clip is a cinematic record of a drunken revel from bar hopping to staggering down the street, there’s an intriguing cast of extras – not the “pretty people” normally found in such roles, but rather “faces with character” Start to finish, it’s fast moving without hurrying and abstract yet comprehensible. Absolutely a must see. – Rick Brown

Watch it at: http://www.MichaelPalmieri.com

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Elf Power, originally from Denver, CO, are modern day descendents of late 60s psychedelia – their sound brings to mind, for instance the Velvet Underground songs with Nico. They’ve also (admittedly) been influenced by the work of legendary musical polymath Brian Eno, and somewhat reminiscent of cult favorites Toad The Wet Sprocket. “All The World Is Waiting” is a mid tempo trippy ballad featuring a heavy dose of Laura Carter’s electronic keys.

Frontman Andrew Reiger is shown strolling through a green suburban neighborhood, strumming his six string and singing. For the first two verses, this is shown in one continuing shot, with the camera dollying back, keeping pace with Reiger. It’s the background action that makes this vid really unusual, though. The denizens of this particular neighborhood, are, let us say, not your typical suburbanites. A very pretty song, and the surreal video treatment make this one a winner.  – Rick Brown

Watch it at: http://music.yahoo.com/ar-272139-videos--Elf-Power

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This is a flat out beautiful song. It builds gradually from soft to majestic, and while there’s not really a hook to be had or a groove to tap your toes to, the hauntingly gorgeous melody will stay with you. Gary Lightbody’s velvety smooth tenor displays no ill effects from the throat illness that recently compelled the band to cancel a number of shows.

The video, like the song, is simple yet elegant. It’s composed almost entirely of extreme close ups of Lightbody as he performs the song. We see an eye here, a hand, or perhaps lips singing. There are subtle variations in lighting and some understated effects (rain, e.g.), but overall it’s biggest virtue is its simplicity. Not exactly a party tune, but it’s one that certainly belongs on your playlist for those mellower moments. – Rick Brown

Hopeless Records’ Amber Pacific is back with another video, this one titled “Poetically Pathetic” off their sophomore album The Possibility and the Promise. The track for the video (like most of their songs) is an up-tempo song with slightly sadder lyrics. The video has the same idea.

“Poetically Pathetic” is not a bad video but with the same take there is really nothing all that great about it either. The video displays shots of the band performing along with footage of different couples and weddings. I really was not all that impressed with the concept, but the shots of the band are done well. All in all the video isn’t bad, but could’ve been better. You be the judge.–Charlie Collick

Check it out for yourself at: http://www.mtvu.com/music/playlist/

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