Saturday, February 20, 2021

46/100 Video - "Dayvan Cowboy" - Boards of Canada (2005)


My morning breakfast consists of one slice of toast and a banana. I put on headphones and sip a cup of dark roast. On some days I start the day with this track.

For a slow tempo song, "Dayvan Cowboy" sure is lush, ideal for day dreaming. 

If you enjoy ambient psychedelic electronica, this may be your jam. 


The video is all space, sky, sea and surf. 

The track opens with a majestic intro, before leading into the incredible second half in which the melody soars, accompanied by measured, reverby acoustic strums and spine-tingling cymbal crashes. 

I've found this tune is super soothing while flying, so calming, as the textured guitars, drums and synths simulate what it may sound like while drifting in space.    

Friday, February 19, 2021

47/100 Video - "Summertime" - DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (1991)

 

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince may just be the ultimate anthem celebrating all things summer.

The tune has an amazing flow...


The relaxing vibe of the tune and the chill video forever remind us of carefree days with your crew and kids down the street. 

Thursday, February 18, 2021

48/100 Video -"Income Tax" - P'tit Belliveau (2020)

 

The 'feel-good' psychedelia of both song and video for "Income Tax" by P'tit Belliveau are throwbacks to the late 70s.  

The glowing strobes, jewels and bills in the catchy chorus highlight dreams of extreme shopping upon receiving a sizeable income tax return.


And the 70s style sub-title text help non-Acadian viewers decipher the Franglais lyrics.

The track is more proof of the legendary creativity of musicians from Clare, a small buy mighty rural municipality in SW Nova Scotia with a population of 8000 residents, mainly French Acadians. 

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

49/100 Video - "Raspberry Beret" – Prince (1985)

"Raspberry Beret" by Prince is easily of Prince's best singles. 

It's also one of his most creative videos. 

Wearing a blue suit with white fluffy clouds reminiscent of the intro from The Simpsons, Prince's outfits flashes and glows throughout this catchy slice of psychedelia. 

It's a goofy video with a gaggle of backup dancers clapping and grooving along with Prince and the Revolution

Prince seemed to always be surrounded by women, and this video is no exception. 

Some of them played in his band which was rare for the 80s. 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

50/100 Video - "Land of Confusion" - Genesis (1986)

 

Phil Collins has done in all in the video arena.


Along with Philip Bailey, he made the first documentary style video about the making of a video.

And here with Genesis, he helped create one of the most elaborate and expensive videos ever made, during the heyday of the video era.

"Land of Confusion" by Genesis is also one of the most creative music videos ever made. 

The popular video was made using puppets created by the British TV series called The Spitting Image. The show would often make fun of Genesis, and by hiring their tormentors, the band proved that they could take a joke.

The video was directed by Jim Yukich, an American, who would watch The Spitting Image on his trips to England and loved the show. 

He got the idea to use the puppets in this video when he saw a Phil Collins parody on the show that made fun of his angst-ridden solo work.

Released during the President Reagan years, the video is an important part of the Cold War cultural time capsule. 

At the end of the video, the Ronald Reagan puppet accidentally launches a nuclear missile.

The video was very expensive to make; each puppet of which there are many, cost about $10,000.