The Collegian

Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Zack Farmer

So I have been a bit behind in my music video watching, but during Easter Break, I was able to do some catching up and my, have the ingredients for a music video changed.

What used to be obscure images that flashed on beat with the music are now real videos.

With bands like 30 Seconds To Mars making 13-minute mini-movies, I am reminded of the days of Michael Jackson and his epic 14-minute video of "Thriller."

These videos, however, take it further by adding opening and ending credits along with the familiar interludes of dialogue and story.

30 Seconds To Mars is not the only one making these videos either-though I am sure it is not news to you. Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around" featuring Scarlet Johansson takes the movie-esque approach as well. And we all know about the Fall Out Boy videos. Hilary Duff has a similar one too; however, hers is more of a commercial for her odorous perfume, which shares its name with the song.

While many people find this new trend weird, I actually kind of like the new feel of music videos. Now there is more of a reason to watch them. The reason I stopped in the first place was because-aside from not having any sort of cable at home-they never made any sense; I would have rather just listened to the song than watch its video and be confused. I think that these new videos are much better also because they don't just have the singer or band standing around and singing, in which case, like I said, I would rather just listen to the song.

While these are nothing like R. Kelly's hip-hopera, "Trapped in a Closet" (thank goodness), which currently stands at some 40 odd minutes, they all depict some kind of faint plot, which make them worth watching for a different and sometimes abstract interpretation of the songs.

So if you have a 15-minute break in your busy Saint Mary's lives, check out the new trend on launch.com and might I recommend a look-see at "From Yesterday" by 30 Seconds To Mars. The video takes a strange approach to the plot, involving the birthday wish of a young emperor of China-the characters speak real Mandarin too!

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools