Animate Me (or Not)

Do you like when bands make 100% animated videos? I have mixed feelings on the matter. Typically, I like to see the band so I can match faces to songs. It's psychological in one aspect. In another, it is directly proportional to the basis of all human communication: we like to look at one another when we speak. Often, I must look at someone to understand what they are saying. I don't have hearing problems, but I find I can comprehend better this way. Perhaps this direct connection of band-through camera-through television is just the same?

I suppose someone has conducted a study on the matter before, but I guess it's true that this sort of telecommunication probably did help a generation get really addicted to music. Seeing videos and hearing songs is really no different than watching a sitcom or late night monologue as long as the relationship works.

I guess in this school of thought, then, animated videos really are less effective forms of communication. Of course, when we're talking about videos we mean communicating a product, which is the song. That communication - if reliable - would result in album sales.

I can think of two animated videos right now off the top of my head. One is Avenged Sevenfold's new video for "A Little Piece of Heaven." The clip is a deliciously nasty little piece of art, Tim Burton style. The other video is "Hell on High Heels" by Motley Crue. I know there are plenty more but my mind went completely blank.

If you have about nine minutes to kill, here's the Avenged Sevenfold clip:

Now, here's Motley's venture into the art world.

My guess is both bands felt they couldn't adequately portray the song's meaning if they were in the clip. I get where A7X is coming from: necrophilia is a hard thing to act. As for Motley, I think they were taking the easy way out during the depressing New Tattoo tour. I also think they were trying to reach out to a new fan base while not alienating their die hard loyalists.

In some respects, I think animated videos hurt bands - especially Glam artists. No other Metal genre is so closely aligned with both looks and talent. Thoughts?

Comments

[Joe]

I agree with you Allyson..I like to see the band too..I miss the videos back in the 80s when they were like a story..where the band is talking at the beginning then it kicks in..They were fun. Hope all is well and talk to you soon =)

[Red6ixx]

Morning
I think the Vrue did take the easy way out - but due to 'laziness' more than anything - good A7X vid - not really seen much of them. Although they were not Glam Iron Maiden did newer videos for there back catalogue with additions of cartoons added - didnt really add anything to the vids in my opinion.
Im with you - i prefer to see the band in the videos - they dont need to be 'acting' in them just a concert vid does it for me - i just like to see the band.

[Joe]

I do love the Hell on high heels video though..I laugh so hard with that one..especially the part where Mick pinches the breast..HAHAHA!!!..Also cool to see Randy Castillo in animated form..May he rest in peace..He was a great drummer..Saw him few times when he was in Ozzy's band.

[Christian Graus]

The thing with hell in high heels is, Crue had done a bunch of animated web cartoons slamming Metallica for the Napster lawsuit ( on a site with other cartoons ), that clip was animated to fit that look, and so people could easily download the clip and play it.

[missy]

I think videos are a thing of the past. In highschool, I could never understand why my radio teacher hated them so much. Afterall, I was part of the MTV generation! But now I understand.

Not only are videos a thing of the past, and most stations don't even play videos anymore, but aren't you then unable to form your own opinion of the song because someone did it for you? Has anyone entertained the idea that maybe bands like Tool have fsked up videos to make the fans figure it out themselves instead of having it spelled out for them? I think the concept of a video now-a-days is pointless, and the bands might as well just have fun with an outdated concept by doing things like animated videos if they feel they have to go that route.

Personally, I don't watch videos anymore. I don't see a point. (I have no problems with people who still do, I just don't!). I can tell you exactly where I was and what I was doing when I fell in love with FNM's 'The Real Thing'. I don't need the fish video to remind me of it.

Sadly, it's not 1985-1993 anymore...*sniff* But don't worry, I'm still holding on to my past in my own way. My best friend is 'babysitting' of my collection of VHS tapes with the best of Headbanger's Ball videos on them. And once in awhile, I'll get nostalgic and get on Youtube and track some down, but that's usually only when I want to be 15 again.

I dunno if I stayed on topic or not, but that's what popped into my head when I saw 'animated videos' and 'I want to see faces'. :)

[Mrlee]

both videos were naff. although i love the hell and high heels song.

i dont get how the avenged sevenfold video is a fine piece of art though, i thought it was just kiddie, makes me laugh how they say inappropriate for immature audiences.

[Peaceloving and gun owning Tommy]

I don't know, Allyson. I seemed to always be able to relate to Shaggy and Scooby when I hallucinate and always seem to have the munchies. But enough about work. While there are some videos that will always stand out, much like a book, the music videos sometimes never live up to the song whether they're animated or not.

It's hard to idolize animated characters. While expressive, they will never grow old and the possibility of an overdose is zero, which reduces the excitement that this may be the last time you see them captured on video. This explains the large demand of Elvis Presley fans for his unreleased Elvis In Concert video from 1977.

[ALEXX]

HEY REMEMBER SOME OF THE D.A.D. VIDEOS THERE WAS ANIMATION TOO