For the most part, when browsing Pitchfork’s recently-posted Top 50 Music Videos of the 90’s, four names dominate: Chris Cunningham, Hype Williams, Michel Gondry, and Spike Jonze. And all four of these men completely deserve their recognition – they all, in their own way, directed only the finest of what is considered to be the best decade for music videos. MTV was still influential and watchable, and the medium of video promotion was still powerful in the music biz.
This burgeoning new phenomenon had transformed into a well-produced, highly-financed, ultra-creative artistic landscape that the 80’s products couldn’t touch. By the time of the 2000’s, however, the luster was lost – the best videos were buried in the over-saturation of the Web, and the “music” cable channels ceased music programming. Still, we have the 90’s – the golden age of the music video, and Pitchfork, more or less, covered the highlights.
There are many personal favorites of mine that didn’t make the cut – perhaps one day I will compile my own list of top videos from the 90’s. While video lists usually lean towards either ranking in terms of influence or innovative spectacle, Pitchfork teeter-tottered between the two, leaning toward the latter. With this in mind, it’s a decent list – like most lists, it has some glaring omissions, which are recognized after the jump.
Today I continue my ongoing feature showcasing my personal picks for the best songs of the past decade, posting ten songs at a time.
190. Pete Yorn – For Nancy
There’s no getting around it: musicforthemorningafter is a masterpiece and by far Yorn’s finest hour. And “For Nancy,” the breakthrough single for the Jersey-born musician, is the finest song off that disc. A tale of love lost that’s parts optimistic, parts well-wishing, and parts purely bitter, every confusing emotion associated with a breakup is laid out plain here. That’s always been a specialty of Yorn’s – no confusion, no abstraction, just a straightforward, “it is what it is” approach, musically and lyrically. Here, when wishing the best/worst for an ex, it reminds me of another great American songwriter. Don’t think twice, it’s alright, indeed.
As expected, last night Green Day stole the show in Chicago, performing well over the park’s curfew and giving every Lollpalooza ticket holder their money’s worth and then some. It’s doubtful Soundgarden will be able to top it tonight. Consequence of Sound has the rave review and more coverage of the day.
Last night my ripe old age of 24 caught up with my youthful antics; while attempting to “bust a move” and “get my freak on” at Barbarella, I hyper-extended my knee.
Pause for laughter….
Needless to say, today’s activities have consisted of popping ibuprofen, elevating my leg, alternating between ice packs and hot towels, and limping around like a drunken homeless man. Hopefully I can lick this thing before the One Wolf show on Sunday, but until then, I have created a small but suitable playlist dedicated to my left knee, which at the moment is swollen to the size of a grapefruit.
Today the kids over at Fun Fun Fun headquarters announced the lineup for their 2010 festivities. Of course, with FFF being my favorite fest to attend for four years running, I bought my tickets well in advance of today’s news. But now that the artists have officially been made known to the public, here are a handful of bands, in no particular order, I intend to be front and center stage for. Who are you excited to see?
