Another day, another black artist with an song in their heart. Black History Month continues on Pictures & Conversations!
Janelle Monae's full length debut album The ArchAndroid is one of the strangest albums of the last few years. She has an alterego, but unlike Sasha Fierce or Strawberry who exist as the sexy performer sides of pop divas, Cindi Mayweather is an android who fell in love with a human and becomes a messianic figure. Whatever, the album had some major high points even if the album as whole didn't live up to it's high concept's promise.
"Cold War" is one of those high points. One of the sadly overlooked possible Gay Pride anthems of the new millennium, the song's fast beat and Prince-y use of electric guitar belies the emotional impact of the lyrics and Ms. Monae's soulful vocal. "I'm trying to find my peace, I was made to believe there's something wrong with me and it's hurts my heart" is the moment that hits hard, even bringing Janelle to tears at the 1:38 mark in the official music video.
Showing posts with label Janelle Monae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Janelle Monae. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Nothing Compares 2 U Crying On Camera
In the pantheon of emotional trickery in music videos, nothing beats a camera closeup that captures the tear streaked face of a (usually young, pretty) woman. Let's take a look...
Of course, the granddaddy of all close up cry shots is Sinéad O'Connor's MTV Video of the Year winning clip for "Nothing Compares 2 U" The shot is so powerful, you forget the rest of the video exists.
Kelly Clarkson's video for "Because Of You" has more plot than the others, but the shots of a blond Clarkson singing into the mirror are more interesting than the "TV movie of the week" action scenes with the little girl. She acts quite well in some of them, but just before the bridge we see the emotion welling up and she cries real tears with that ugly scrunched up cry face that Amber Tamblyn does so well.
Meanwhile, Duffy uses the crying game to distract for the sleepiness of her single "Warwick Avenue." It's a very pretty cry, her mascara running like a drag queen doing a dramatic lipsync. I don't mean to make fun, but it's a little obvious that it's meant to tug at heartstrings. Watch here.
Janelle Monáe does an almost direct homage to Sinead's weepies on "Cold War" - down to the way the shot is framed for much of the video making her seem bald. But when she has her first well of emotion, she goes nuts with a head tremble that turns into the shakes. It's another minute before the real, glistening tear rolls out and streaks her youthful cheeks. Girl knows how to do it!
Of course, the granddaddy of all close up cry shots is Sinéad O'Connor's MTV Video of the Year winning clip for "Nothing Compares 2 U" The shot is so powerful, you forget the rest of the video exists.
Kelly Clarkson's video for "Because Of You" has more plot than the others, but the shots of a blond Clarkson singing into the mirror are more interesting than the "TV movie of the week" action scenes with the little girl. She acts quite well in some of them, but just before the bridge we see the emotion welling up and she cries real tears with that ugly scrunched up cry face that Amber Tamblyn does so well.
Meanwhile, Duffy uses the crying game to distract for the sleepiness of her single "Warwick Avenue." It's a very pretty cry, her mascara running like a drag queen doing a dramatic lipsync. I don't mean to make fun, but it's a little obvious that it's meant to tug at heartstrings. Watch here.
Janelle Monáe does an almost direct homage to Sinead's weepies on "Cold War" - down to the way the shot is framed for much of the video making her seem bald. But when she has her first well of emotion, she goes nuts with a head tremble that turns into the shakes. It's another minute before the real, glistening tear rolls out and streaks her youthful cheeks. Girl knows how to do it!
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