Gummy Awards 2008: Great Video Contenders
By opening the polls yesterday to the most important vote of 2008, we understandably set off a firestorm of doubt, unrest, and confusion: Best Video Of The Year? But who remembers all the videos? Well we remember all the videos. That's because we blog. It's understandable that, if you don't spend your days resizing YouTube embed codes, you might not remember every video to hit the internet this year. Also it's understandable that, if you've been on the internet this year, you've come to think of most "indie"-oriented videos as cheaply constructed press-cycle-extending promo material. HOWEVER I think you're being a little cynical and depressed about this whole thing, and someone has to win this category, and really at the end of the year there were a few clips worth remembering. To help jog the brains, here's 11 that, while maybe not the best, might remind you of the good times we had together in four-minute intervals in 2008:
Chad VanGaalen - "Molten Light"
I don't know if Soft Airplane will get the Best Album attention it deserves, but I think that's just the plight of the VanGaalen. Anyway this is a category where he could place well. As he has in the past, Chad does all the animation for this video, creating an entire audio-visual universe in this wonderfully bizarre, Edgar Allen Poe-esque slice of morbid beauty. (The song is a gem, too.)
Gnarls Barkley - "Who's Gonna Save My Soul"
Now I won't tell you which video I'm voting for Best Album Gummy, but I am voting for this video for Best Video Gummy. The downcast and cavernous "Who's Gonna Save My Soul" was Odd Couple's finest moment from the start, but when Jorma from Lonely Island revealed the complexion of his bleeding heart to Waverly from Friday Night Lights, and it made like a California Raisin with the voice of Cee-Lo Green, I immediately counted Chris Milk amongst my favorite directors working today.
Devendra Banhart (& Natalie Portman) - "Carmensita"
More like "Bhagavad Gita." These two may be over, but they'll always have this sweet piece of sacrilege to remember their time together. Hindu scholars were up in arms at Devendra's portrayal of these sacred deities, and asked Natalie for an apology (interestingly, not one of Banhart). Wouldn't take a joy trip to India anytime soon if I were them. (Maybe not one of the best videos of the year, but I certainly thought it one of the more memorable. I have my reasons.)
No Age - "Eraser"
This is a contender for Best Video Of The Year. This dude does not think so.
Björk - "Wanderlust"
Epic? Yes. Did the directors take shrooms to come up with it all? Of course.
MGMT - "Time To Pretend"
Big year for MGMT, in which they ironically fulfilled most of the piss-take-of-the-stars lyrics at the heart of this tune. BUT there's like 100 of them in this video and there's a Lord Of The Flies-on-peyote vibe and they eat from an animal carcass so this should probably be on your shortlist.
Radiohead - "House Of Cards"
Radiohead. Lasers. "3D plotting technologies collecting information about the shapes and relative distances of objects." This one was a mouthful, and fun to look at, and it had a screensaver, too. They've tied up the nerd-vote from so many angles with this one.
Snoop Dogg - "Sensual Seduction"
Oops, this was 2007! Consider Flying Lotus as the sexy candidate instead!
Santogold - "L.E.S. Artistes"
Before of Montreal brought horses back, Santi brought horses back. This is her story.
Vampire Weekend - "Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa"
Ezra plays the Andrew McCarthy role, Rostam and the Chrisses play the other members of Vampire Weekend. The first half is John Hughesy -- all mansions and lives of leisure and sitting on is-your-bed-made, with girls pretty in pink -- the second half is "Thriller," if imagined by Robert Smith.
Weezer - "Pork N Beans"
Oh, hai YouTube.
Well, that's just to get the conversation going. Consider this the dedicated Best Video lobbying thread. Lobby away! (Add links to vids to make it more internetty.)
Posted at 5:31 PM by amrit in The Gummy Awards, Video
bjork wanderlust?!?!
Score = -13
I mean, I voted for 'Parisian Goldfish' by Flying Lotus. I have shown that to every set of friends I have, and I don't think I have laughed any less any time. Maybe more the last time, the guy's faces are fucking hilarious. Not on youtube, but search it on videogum if you haven't seen it for some reason
Score = 0
That was out of control. Thank you for sharing. I wonder if Tim and Eric just have to keep pushing it in order to get a rise. Pun intended.
Score = 0
gnarls barkley! the heart sings to the broccoli! that's it- contest is over.
Score = 7
The Black Keys' "Strange Times" - a hilarious concept, executed perfectly.
Score = -1
Gobbledigook! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puC0UeWLjM8
Score = 0
Come on, that's only the third-best VW video this year, behind "Oxford Comma" and "A-Punk".
Score = -1
WHAT ABOUT WHITE WINTER HYMNAL!
Score = 4
Phosphorescent - A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise= strangest and most unique video I saw this year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egz-uC4iWVI
Score = 2
Sensual Seduction came out in November 2007. How is it eligible?
Score = 1
You're totally right! Don't vote for that.
Score = 1
Nice job picking the wrong Gnarls Barkley song.
Run is a way cooler video... it gives you funky music, nostalgic fashion, rad dance moves, strobe lights, seizures... C'mon everyone.
Score = -5
the peth-let's go fucking mental
their site has the best resolution
http://thepeth.com/
Score = 0
hello saferide - anna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojE7J6O1D6A
Score = -1
DVNO by Justice.
Score = 3
man, i wish i would have seen this before i voted... i forgot about wanderlust!
Score = -1
thank you for the bjork mention, that definitely got my vote.
nothing matched it.
Score = 3
I can't believe people are forgetting "The Toe Jam" by Brighton Port Authority (Fatboy Slim, David Byrne)... Best video ever
Score = 2
DVNO is incredible when blazed
Score = 2
that singing heart Gnarls video is king
Score = 0
whos gonna save my soul was definitely one of my favorite movies this year but i think my all around favorite goes to lost coastlines by okkervil river because it is a great song with a great concept for a video
Score = -1
Dammit, I forgot about so many of these when I voted for DVNO.
I mean, DVNO is a cool video,
but Wonderlust is sooo epic
and that Gnarls Barkley video is soo awesome
And my god, the video for Flying Lotus' Parisian Goldfish is brilliant
I don't even know anymore.
can't we all just get along?
Score = -1
Don't forget about Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead". very cool video.
Score = 0
i forgot about Santogolds 'L.E.S. Artistes' and how much i loved it D:
but i'm still content with picking 'Time to Pretend'
Score = -1
I'm a big fan of the Santogold, MGMT, Banhart, and Weezer videos, however when I voted I couldn't think of any of them. I ended up voting for "Hot n' Cold" by Katy Perry. Basically the same.... right?
Score = 0
The Justice DVNO is pretty lame when compared to D.A.N.C.E.
Phosphorescent - A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise is really beautiful and gets my vote.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Egz-uC4iWVI
Score = 3
Seriously dude.
T-Pain.
I Can't Believe It.
COME ON DUDES
Score = -2
As usual, everyone in the world has forgotten about T-Pain. When will T-Pain finally get some attention in the music industry?
http://www.pitchfork.tv/videos/t-pain-karaoke
Score = 0
I'm not kidding. : (
I love T-Pain. And Karaoke is a pretty raw song.
no respect!
Score = -1
The Chad VanGaalen video made me feel like I was watching an Of Montreal album cover come to life. On peyote.
White Winter Hymnal.
Score = 0
single ladies. beyonce. dancing is cool!
Score = -3
what about fleet foxes - White Winter Hymnal, if you like gnarls barkley's who's gonna save my soul, you will like metronony- heartbreaker. more lively and cheerful with no special effects. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsduHmjQlgI
for those who loves water color painting watch this Ladyhawke's my delirium http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN8HwUxFouM&feature=channel
Score = 0
You guys forgot Ben Folds - "You Don't Know Me". Tim and Eric shan't be denied.
Score = -2
look up copeland's video for "good morning fire eater." a-mazing.
Score = 0
Beck's new vid for "Youthless" is spectacular.
http://www.kmoyes.com/youthless_480.mov
Score = -1
time to pretend :|
catchy tune and the video it could be cool... but mgmt just make it mega lame for mine
brendan canning - hit the wall, anyone?
Score = 0
Natalie Portman's Shaved Head naturally. If you haven't seen it then check it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-gQL03u7mc
Score = -1
chris zabriskie "silent night bloody night" really trippy hand-drawn stuff
http://videos.antville.org/stories/1848323/
Score = -1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2XREBNiDZE
The Acorn-Flood Part 1 was by far the best video of 2008.
Score = 1
I just watched White Winter Hymnal and I'm sold. I'm voting for it.
Score = 0
could i vote for this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY4APDrl66s
it's hands-down my favorite video of the year. you guys should add it up there with the others.
Score = 0
Stress by Justice
if I only knew by Jeff Hanson
Score = 0
Thunderheist - Jerk It! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbvKUEXNaDU
Isn't that just the raddest shit you've seen all year?
Score = -1
That molten light one kinda frightens me....
not very original of me but i really did dig that house of cards video.
Score = 0
Janelle Monae will be the most un-appreciated artist of 2008, video wise and music wise
Score = 1
I know some of these are already mentioned, but here's a few (in high quality if possible):
Justice - Stress: http://tinyurl.com/6g4mhf
Efterklang - Illuminant: http://tinyurl.com/5dtd8n
Huoratron - $$Troopers: http://www.huoratron.com/
MGMT - The Youth: http://tinyurl.com/3gc6xw
The Streets - Everything is Borrowed: http://tinyurl.com/695drv
Girl Talk - Still Here: http://tinyurl.com/6y8xmd
Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook: http://tinyurl.com/6xdjde
Supergrass - Bad Blood: http://tinyurl.com/2ujd7w
Late of the Pier - Heartbeats: http://tinyurl.com/5h95rj
Wild Beasts - Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants: http://www.vimeo.com/1654232
The BPA - Toe Jam (ft. Dizzee Rascal) http://tinyurl.com/6crf9m
If you just watch one of those, make it Justice's 'Stress', which is the best by a long shot. My vote goes to it, and you guys should definitely add it up at the top. C'mon. (Though, I'd be fine with Wanderlust or Time to Pretend winning too.)
Score = -1
Yeah it's gotta be either the Gnarls Barkley or Bjork vid. Those are the real standouts I think. Santogold one is growing on me though.
Score = 0
I would've chosen Electric Feel by MGMT.
But I'm just glad they're on the list.
Score = -1
you guys. how did everybody forget sax rohmer #1 by the mountain goats?? that video was amazing!!
http://stereogum.com/archives/video/new-mountain-goats-video-sax-rohmer-1_007883.html
Score = 0