Best of the Year 2013: Music video

The year 2013 was a hot and innovative one for music videodom. For one, Miley. For two, Beyonce's visual album. For three, Kanye's weird music videos and projections. For four, Pharrell's 24-hour video. None of these, however, were the best of the year.


Queens of the Stone Age
"Keep Your Eyes Peeled"
Directors: Liam Brazier & Boneface



Grizzly Bear
"Gun-Shy"
Director: Kris Moyes



MGMT
"Your Life is a Lie"
Director: Tom Kuntz



Vampire Weekend
"Diane Young"
Director: Primo Kahn



Jackson and His Computerband
"G.I. Jane"
Directors: Myzyk & Moriceau

Best of 2012: Music video

Better late than never. The year of 2012 was chock-full of good stuff in the video realm. Here are my picks for the best. Notice there is no overrated, overproduced Korean pop on the list.

Tenacious D
"Rize of the Fenix"
Director: Daniels

This video is strikingly original in this culture of YouTube DIY. It's a pseudo-rough cut, and it hits a home run for the band's long career of quality vids.

Jay-Z & KanYe West
"Niggas in Paris"
Director: KanYe West

Yes, the video came out in early 2012. This is quite honestly the best concert-shot video I've seen. Just mesmerizing!

Moones
"Better Energy"
Director: Peter Sluszka

Where did this come from? Seriously full of great old school and new school special effects. Reminds me of so many things.

The Shins
"The Rifle's Spiral"
Director: Jamie Caliri

Marvelous. I'm not a big fan of the band or their vibe, but this video is just right. Almost Burton-esque in its delivery, it stories two schools of magicians in competition: the young and the old. Relax, it's magic!

Woodkid

"Run Boy Run"

Directors: Yoann Lemoine / Iconoclast

A really simple yet heartwarming, powerful video. We've all run in that kid's shoes. I've seen other effects that come close, but nothing truly pulls off the morphing like this one.

Best of the Year 2011: Music video

I wait until January to post my best-of, because artists have a tendency to release some good videos right around Christmas. Anyway.

Applause to Beyonce for shelling out a heap o' videos before her belly distended. Lady Gaga disappointed, however (Honey Nut Cheerios). Sure, the long form video was there... but not the spark. Anyway here are the cream of the crop.

Architecture in Helsinki
"Contact High"
Director: Krozm
This is a weird band, even for Australia. The effects and vibe remind me of Empire of the Sun.


Battles with Matias Aguayo
"Ice Cream"
Director: Canada
This one grew on me. It has that sexy South American vibe and some magical realism (that all music videos should have).

Best of the Year 2010: Music video

OK Go

"This Too Shall Pass" (Version 2, Rube Goldberg)

Director: James Frost
These guys have become an annoyance. Awful, unoriginal music. And, this machine is obviously fixed! Last time we'll ever hear from them, save from a commercial spot. Worst thing about their videos is the band members trying to tolerate the music.

Disasteradio

"Visions"

Directors: Simon Ward, Don Brooker and Luke Rowell
This is what videomaking circa 2010 should be about: having fun with nostalgia. Killer moment: Saxophone solo tape-over.

Das Racist

"Who's That? Brooown"

Director: Thomas De Napoli
Just like there was "goof rock" in the 90s, the '10s have "goof rap". Thanks, Ludacris.