Things have been a little bit dead around here. Mostly because Fin and I have been hugely distracted from other activities. My main PC was knocked out by a thunderstorm a few months back. Not long after, Fin’s mom lost her computer as well.
Apparently, 2014 wasn’t a good year for the SuburbanReject family’s electronics.
Fin and I discussed things, and decided on building a new PC.
A break from the Music Videos for something different today. Been too busy to keep the series up this week.
It’s been a bit since I posted an actual update here. I set a goal to post regularly here at the beginning of the year. The weekly updates proved an easy way to do it.
Over the past few years, Fins shouted, repeatedly, that I was running myself into the ground. I didn’t realize it for a while, but 4 years ago I left a frustrating job for an even more stressful one. I wanted out of corporate America to do something more interesting. The opportunities for advancement seemed endless.
The 90s brought… even more creativity. 3 videos from the first half of the 90s.
-- You can’t talk 90s without mentioning Nirvana, Teen Spirit quickly became the anthem for my generation
-- One of the more controversial music videos I’m linking, CLOSER hits on all sorts of taboos (NSFW!)
-- The mid 90s… controversial was cool
-- Fate
I bring you… The 80’s music video. I vaguely recall hearing about the rise of MTV throughout the 80s. My parents only had cable for a brief period, but I remember visiting friends and always being disappointed when the TV sat on the “music” station. Boring.
Of course now, I don’t know that calling it a “music” station even remotely works. 80s music videos had some crazy production values. And, I bring you 3 samples.
Haunted House Season - West Bottoms haunted houses have opened up for all the horror fans out there.
Traffic Camera Lawsuit - Got a red light camera ticket in KC? There’s a settlement for you.
Vagina Cupcakes Uproar - While I once identified as a feminist the continual stupidity of “feminists” has me backing away from using the term at all. And… if a guy talked about teaching children to “please the penis”… Well, that’s more than a little pedo.
Continuing on the theme of music videos… A look back at the era of the 70s music video.
And… a very appropriate song for today ;)
Metcalf South Closes - I’m only slightly surprised, and just because I expected the “Great Mall” in Olathe to close first. This comes slightly after the property was purchased. I’m hoping they plan to redevelop rather than let it sit empty.
Plaza Art Fair - Hipsters on parade. Fin and I forgot the fair was going on when we decided to celebrate our anniversary by making a trek out to some nice restaurants there. It worked out, with the exception of some random “Woo Girls” providing moderate annoyance. Fin and I ran into a rare artist that hits on both or our tastes.
I’d argue that Music Videos mirrored the Romantic Period’s idea of “Program Music”. Composers would indicate a purely instrumental work represented some sort of story - a trip to see the torment of Hell, or perhaps something more mundane in the travels of a sponsor.
Anyway, I’m starting a small series in “Interesting Music Videos” this week with Jeremy. It’s one of many highly controversial videos, and one of a few that adds more than a little depth to the song - at least, letting you know what a seemingly random string of words is about.
Compare and contrast an original and some covers today :)
The Original:
Manson’s Cover:
Johnny Cash’s Cover:
Good Song Writing spins endless variations based on personal interpretation. Bad song writing fades into the distance after an initial bang.