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?