Top 30 Videos of 2010: 30 – 26
Hello, hello, hello!
Well, for the past week or so I have been racking my brains. And let me tell you, the brain-racking process is not one to be envied. That said, I’m very glad to finally present this week my first major project for Y,WGAV! – bringing you the thirty best videos of the year just passed. There’s a lot of kerrazy shit that went down in 2010, and I’m going to be very interested to see how it continues on in the new year. For now, though, let’s kick back and have a scroll through the year that was, presenting the finest visual specimen set to some of the year’s best tracks.
30. Big Boi feat. Cutty – Shutterbugg
Outkast were always reliable for some outstanding videos – Ms. Jackson and Hey Ya! amongst the best – but here was a chance for Big Boi, long percieved to be the weaker half of the duo, to prove himself. Impressively, dude hit it out of the fucking park – not only was Shutterbugg easily one of the best songs of the year, it had a crazy good video to back itself up. The shiny, sleek and slightly freaky video saw BB jamming with a puppet band, decapitating himself, rolling in a psychedelic car that changed colours and just generally being a dude – mostly in a tuxedo, naturally. Effortlessly cool. See my original post on the video here.
29. Clare Bowditch and the New Slang – Modern Day Addiction
Clare had an amazing 2010. She released her best album, put together her best backing band and had some killer shows to back it up – I followed the tour for two nights and it was really something quite special; and not just because I was head over heels in love with the backing vocalists (The Lady Garden, as they were known)! Additionally, this happened: a bold, concise and memorable music video, serving up visuals for the song’s extensive metaphor. It might not make sense at first, but give it a chance. This is one that sticks in the memory. See my original post on the video here.
28. Brandon Flowers – Crossfire
B-Flo – it’s his rap name, deal with it – didn’t have a great start to the year. After the passing of his mother, The Killers cancelled most of their Australian tour and announced a hiatus. Things didn’t get much better – his solo album, Flamingo, fizzled due to slow sales, no huge single and generally being a bit of an average affair. One great thing to come out of all of this, however, was the Springsteen-aping single Crossfire and its kickarse video. In a sick little role reversal, it’s Brandon who’s the damsel in distress and Charlize Motherfucking Theron who is the action hero, saving his arse after he inexplicably gets captured by both terrorists and ninjas. Plotless and stupid? Shit yeah. When has that ever stopped something from being awesome? See my original post on the video here.
27. Darren Hanlon – All These Things
Few people in this world make me as happy as Darren Hanlon. For the past half-decade or so, Daz has continually made music and videos that just warm my heart. 2010 was no exception, releasing the wonderful I Will Love You At All and putting out this adorable video. Complete with kitschy dance routines, weird dudes in balaclavas (sp?) and plenty of odd visual gags, it’s a video that consistently entertains and brings warmth and even more loveliness to the song itself – never thought that could be possible! See my original post on the video here – and, if you’re feeling adventurous, listen to my acoustic cover here!
26. Kings of Leon – Pyro
The Kings have always been a bit hit and miss with their videos – they’ve gone from rocking out in the woods to wanky Bon Jovi-esque montage videos. For the first time in awhile, however, they went a bit conceptual to soundtrack what is arguably the best song from Come Around Sundown. The scene could be any dive bar in America, the characters could come from any unfortunate background…but it’s this ambiguity that lures you in, and subsequently keeps you watching until the inexplicable but strangely brilliant conclusion. It’s one for repeated viewings for all the times you don’t get it, but for what it’s worth this could be the band’s best music video yet.
Watch This Now: Brandon Flowers – “Crossfire”
“And when the hardest part is over, we’ll be here…”
There’s never been much of an air of subtlety surrounding one Brandon Flowers. Our first introduction to him was in 2004, where he wailed about transexual love triangles in the middle of the Nevada desert in front of a giant neon billboard that flashed his band’s name (The Killers, in case you hadn’t caught on). Six years on from that, and that extravagance hasn’t changed a bit – even though the Killers are on a break and Flowers has moved onto the solo thingie.
This is ridiculous, OTT and essentially plotless, but you’ll be damned if this isn’t fantastic entertainment. Flowers plays a prisoner in a variety of situations, attacked by various terrorists and ninjas. Thankfully, none other than Charlize Theron comes in, kicks arse and leaves Brandon with not much apart from a cute little smile on his face. The cinematography is as gorgeous as Theron herself, quite similiar to the When You Were Young video a couple of years back – the locations are pretty non-specific, but I love the way it’s shot regardless. This is great fun, and one of the coolest videos Flowers has put his name to. Doesn’t hurt that the single itself is pretty killer, too. Got a good feeling about the album!
Yes, We've Got a Video! 