6.19.2009

Papa Roach eyeing I Almost Told You That I Loved You

From the album, Metamorphosis.

[...Band can't seem to cope with their identity], summation of AbsolutePunk's review of Papa Roach's album. Yet the band feels they, "walk that line between metal, hardcore, punk rock and pop music, and we do our best at trying to make it all tasteful." Looks like they are having a hard time keeping up with their multiple personalities.

The video features a walk down what is probably the hallway between
Sodom and Gomorrah. The whole lesbian thing is starting to get overused in rock. It used to be a quick glance at some lip action and that would cause fervor. Now, it's just there like its not a big deal, as it all starts to become mainstream. Of course it all goes together with the themes of the song but if you end up in such a place for almost loving someone, somethings up...


The Brainchild eyeing Conversational Tennis

From the album, Conversational Tennis.

Chris Dowling(vocals, guitar) has played since he was 10 years old, professionally since he was 15, his first gig was in front of 1000 people. He ended up supporting the likes of Tina Turner, Rod Stewart and Queen before settling into a band.

Video footage taken from a tennis loving family reunion can be viewed below. Nothing really stands out while watching, though the grandma(?) juggling one object and being proud of it does bring a chuckle...


[RockDirt]

6.18.2009

Black Tide eyeing Warriors of Time

Directed by Lance Sells from the album, Light from Above.

Black Tide fans who are gamers can listen to their tracks on a variety of video game releases. Shockwave is featured on Skate 2, Show Me The Way can be heard on Motorstorm: Pacific Drift and Warriors of Time is on NHL 09. These tracks are currently featured or will soon be available for download on Rock Band.

If you have watched "Afro Samurai," the animated video below should look similar. Like a Saturday morning kids cartoon version. Even the band's mascot "The Bastard" has similarities to Justice, one of the bad guys in the story. Even the snow filled landscapes... enough with the comparisons. Great video, the machines will never win...



[Blabbermouth]

Double Dagger eyeing Vivre Sans Temps Mort

Directed by Cat Solen from the album, More.

Vivre Sans Temps Mort underwent a lot of work during the songwriting process, needing more concentration as compared to other songs on the album. They had the idea to make a song that would consist of only one note, trying to balance minimalism with enough variety to make it entertaining. [AuralStates]

This is one morbid kid putting together a toy car. As a parent, one would say, "great job son for undertaking such a complicated project". That is until the final piece is revealed. One could say he probably went through the situation based on the real world segments of the video. "I wrote my first will when I was nine years old..."


[Prefix]

Viva Voce eyeing Octavio

Directed by Alicia Rose from the album, Rose City.

In the beginning there were only two, Kevin and Anita Robinson, making up Viva Voce. When it came time to write Rose City, it became clear to them that they would want to expand their sound, after mingling with The Shins in 2007. Thus came Corrina Repp and Evan Railton to fill out the new Viva Voce sound.

What can be presumed to be two lovers, writing secret notes to each other turns into something that has been prevalent in U.S. headlines recently. What was going on with the key room? Who put the keys there? Why?

6.17.2009

Napalm Death eyeing Time Waits For No Slave

Directed by Tom Blyth from the album, Time Waits For No Slave.

"I'm kind of loathe in a way to act as any kind of scene overseer because that's when things start to get a little elitist, which is something I really can't abide" [Exclaim], Mark Greenway's(vocalist) answer to a question on whether they are doing anything to keep the grindcore flame burning. The band has been active for 28 years with Mark at the helm for the most part since 1989.

The animation makes the video more than it really is, a performance video in a small room someplace. The hanging bodies throw in a metal feel but the rest is just...

Douglas Armour eyeing Flushed and Flamelike Themselves

Directed by Bryce Kass from the album, The Light Of A Golden Day, The Arms Of The Night.

The Light Of A Golden Day, The Arms Of The Night is Douglas Armour's debut album on The Social Registry label.

High definition, high speed photography that would fit perfectly onto an episode of Discovery Channel's Time Warp. Every grain of sand can be seen as the topless runner makes his way through the woods. Even small flecks of what might be dandruff float away from his hair as he performs some, out-of-character-for-the-song, headbanging. Run, I want to be in a hair commercial guy, run...

The Gaslight Anthem eyeing The '59 Sound

Directed by Kevin Custer from the album, The '59 Sound.

Guitar aficionados who are fans of The Gaslight Anthem can follow Brian Fallow's Twitter feed to scrutinize Brian and his guitar tech's choices. Fans would also know that Brian and Alex Levine(bass) are brothers in law.

Hey look! It's a living room that just happens to have no furniture. Let's play and record a video. And while we're at it, make sure to get a close-up of some tattoos...


[CultureBully]

Jaguar Love eyeing I Started A Fire

Directed by Ethan Holman.

"If that mélange of musical touchstones doesn’t convince you that Jaguar Love are writing their own rulebook, you must think gas prices are coming down and Jesus is on her way back." [JaguarLove]. In reference to the varied genres of music that Jaguar Love have received inspiration, from classic rock to pop.

The track is described as a demo, and the video follows along the same lines. It all comes down to color, the video looks like it was shot by kids playing with their parents camcorder. They literally started a fire...

6.16.2009

Doves eyeing Winter Hill

Directed by David Mould from the album, Kingdom of Rust.

The band's debut album was Lost Souls released in 2000. The track Winter Hill has been on the backburner since that album, never worked on until their current release, Kingdom of Rust. The song is about Winter Hill, near Manchester, England.

Trials bike rider Danny MacAskill shows his skills in a video that unfolds like a demo for someone trying to sign on to a sponsorship team. Rabid fans(stalkers?) chase him through the streets as he uses his assets to get away from them. Too bad we don't get to see how he performed his final feat...


[Stereogum]

Seether eyeing Careless Whisper

Directed by Tony Petrossian from the album, Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.

The band decided to release a cover of Wham!'s Careless Whisper after a request from management for a Valentine's Day song for a compilation album to be sold on iTunes. The recording session was completed in one afternoon, making the fan response surprising for such a hastily recorded track. [Risers]

An homage to the decade the original track was created, the video plays like an 8-bit time capsule. From the direct recreations of classic video games such as Donkey Kong to an appearance by what looks to be like George Michael himself. Could the DeLorean really do that?

Sonic Youth eyeing Sacred Trickster

Directed by Tom Surgal from the album, The Eternal.

Initially the band went under the name 'Arcadians' before renaming it was changed to Sonic Youth in the early 80's. They were the first act to be signed to Neutral Records in 1981.

Long lead up to a quick climax, down with corporate culture. They spent a lot of time to look like the part but for some reason decided not to act while on location. And unless there was acid in the paint, why the reaction from the victims?

6.15.2009

White Denim eyeing I Start to Run

Directed by Tom Haines from the album, Fits.

The Austin, Texas based band released their first work under a record label overseas, thanks to their record deal with U.K. based Full Time Hobby records. Their debut album, Workout Holiday, was released in early 2008 while their debut U.S. LP, Exposion, was released later that year.

Who knows how the band got in the situation where they had to play while someone ran a circuit to save their lives. Some salt of the earth fellows hold them hostage while the bassist runs to the top of a hill and receives a shotgun from Galadriel, formerly of "The Lord of the Rings" fame. The drummer must have been playing his best drum solos that day...


[GorillaVBear]

Damiera eyeing Quiet Mouth Loud Hands

Directed by Alexander Harrison from the album, Quiet Mouth Loud Hands.

Three fourths of the founding members left in 2007 to pursue personal interests. Only David Raymond(vocals) remained to revive the band in 2008. Quiet Mouth Loud Hands is the first release with the new lineup.

The band recorded their new album in an abandoned school in N.Y. A lady bought the building an rented it out to artists. Looks like it was the same place that the video was shot. Tight against walls, looking like some science experiments went bad against the wall. Dreams of a rebuilt school at the end?

The Gay Blades eyeing N.H.D.N.

From the album, Ghosts.

The Gay Blades describe themselves as playing trash pop. No one could have described it any better than, "when two keenly observant wanna-be hipsters write and record songs the same pair couldn't possibly pull off live, and make up for their missing bass player with consistently explosive performances and a heaping spoonful of swagger". [TripleCrownRecords]

Video turns from a comedy into a heavy drama so casually you don't really notice. About halfway through, we realize what's going on with the friend in the back, can't be spoiled here, watch it. And a certain line of dialogue seems completely random earlier on, only it isn't. Would the dog be his dæmon like in The Golden Compass ?


[AbsolutePunk]