Monday Morning Music Videos

I’m not a huge fan of the Eels–I’ve always found Mark Everett to be the premiere sufferer of that young, male disorder that disallows non-clunky expressions of angst, despair, and relationship problems (see Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie). However, the band’s videos have always pleased me, from the floating in the air clip for “Novocaine for the Soul” to this one, a primitive conceptual piece for “Hey Man (Now You’re Really Living)” (mov), one of the better songs from this year’s (meh) Blinking Lights and Other Revelations.

Perhaps with his next record, we can expect a Devendra Banhart-style sharpening of Ariel Pink’s distinctive, Freak Out/We’re Only In It for the Money-style primitivity, but I hope not, because I enjoy being baffled by him. This video, for “For Kate I Wait” (mov) from 2004’s The Doldrums, sums up his bizarre, androgynous visual style best.

It shouldn’t be surprising anymore that Gorillaz release another high-concept, beautifully animated music video. It’s kind of their thing. “Dirty Harry” (wmv) fits in the group’s trifecta of perfect singles, three of the best from 2005.

Finally, for Halloween’s sake, is one from Goblin Cock, a goofy, GWAR-ish side project for one of the guys from Pinback. The video for “Bagged and Boarded” (mov) is hilarious, featuring the faceless “band” in black hooded robes browsing a comic book store. D from Grey Will Fade turned me on to this one–he’s got the song here.

Filed under: Ariel Pink  Eels  Goblin Cock  Gorillaz  music video