The truth is: Kanye has always used his visual presence (videos, TV spots, talk show performances) as a vital part of his messaging; its how he presents his side of the story, telegraphs stylistic changes, and gently manipulates the discourse around him. So many of the nuances of Kanye West have come to us by way of his music videos.
If E P L P was the perfect record to tip beers to in summer's dying days, then the "Twisted" video, velvet painting come to life that it is, is that night at the cottage when you and your friends decide it might be fun to try mushrooms again. Psychedelia never really gets old.
Rick Wilder (lead singer of '70s cult band The Mau-Mau's) stars as the glam Mickey Rourke, a former rock god who now bags groceries, gets dressed down by his boss and hassled by no good kids, who don't see his former highs in his emaciated, nose-pierced face, but just see an old freak.
The new video for Light Fires' contemplative synth ballad "Call It Like That." 16mm black and white film alternates with typically glamorous Sackville, New Brunswick live footage of Regina strutting the stage, but the grainy, slowmo party scenes resemble Studio 54 footage, with the fatalistic retrospective feeling that the party's nearly over.
"We aimed to make this unlike any Toronto video (hip-hop) that's been rolled out this year. Theres a lot of same-yness and cliches used all the time with those kinds of visuals. That ain't gonna be Clairmont, ever." - co-director Ben Cook
This Week’s 5 Best Music Videos: Kanye West, Teenanger and more… by Chart Attack | Chart Attack.
