Best 8 for 08 – Music Videos

Once again its time to name the best music videos of 2008. Some people may play down the importance of these, but they are an integral part of a song, and in some cases assist in the message that the artist is trying to convey. Hence, they are artwork in their own right and that is the reason why I bother to go through and list them. What also becomes evident is that certain artists take them more seriously as you can see familiar faces continually pop up on these lists from year to year. Justice, Kanye and Gnarls Barkley are repeat listers. One notable name is missing from that list, which is Coldplay, makers of some of the best music videos, but recently I have found to be off their game. Anyway, I digress. Here is the list:

8 ) DVNO – Justice
After pulling in at number 1 last year, Justice have just scraped in with this brilliant video. They have basically put together all the logos from the 80’s into one clip in a masterful and crafty way. Go on, see how many of them you can recognise.

7) Time To Pretend – MGMT
It’s actually pretty rare to see such a good song backed up with a strong video clip, not with these guys however, their groovy tunes are matched by the unique and vivid imagery. You have to admire the use of blinding colour and the ability to cause epileptic seizures. All MGMT video clips are similar in that its like being high except, you know, without the drugs.

6) Heartless – Kanye West
One artist who never disappoints when it comes to this category. Its hard to decide which of his clips to include (refer to the Honourable Mentions). The notion of a cartoonised video clip is not new, but Kanye makes it his own with the deep channels of emotion he is feeling towards this girl. Plus it includes the Jetsons. Win.

5) Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyonce
Such a simple concept and yet so effective. This clip is the pinnacle of minimalism. The single shot, the black and white and having only herself and two other dancers on screen emphasis this motion. Not to mention the grace with which she dances leaves everyone mesmerised. My eyes are glued to the screen every time I watch this clip.

4) Who’s Gonna Save My Soul – Gnarls Barkley
Anyone familiar with Andy Samberg’s work will immediately recognise Jorma Taccone of the Lonely Planet (responsible for ‘Lazy Sunday’ and ‘Jizz In My Pants’). Along with that, Gnarls Barkley have always been pushing the music video frontier, so its no surprise to see them here. This tells of a story where a break up is currently in progress and the feelings are actually displayed in real life (rather graphically) which is what makes it so brilliant.

3) House of Cards – Radiohead
This video was placed here purely out of technological aspects rather that anything else. Apparently it was not recorded using video cameras, but instead using sonar technology, giving it that laser and mirrored effect. Props for thinking outside the box.

2) Pork and Beans – Weezer
Put together all the most popular videos on YouTube and an awesome song and you get this video. The time to recreate each and every one of these and the attention to detail is truly remarkable and makes it that much more funny.

Number one after the jump:

1) Toe Jam – The Brighton Port Authority feat Dizzee Rascal and David Byrne
Nudity, comedy and a cool song. We have a winner.

Honourable Mentions

Somethin Good ‘08 – Utah Saints
Its amazing how something as simple as the running man can be so good, but the thing that sets this aside from the rest is the storyline and the last 30 seconds. Hilarious.

Shut Up and Let Me Go – The Ting Tings
Great video clip and the coordination is remarkable. Reminiscent of the White Stripes.

Flashing Lights – Kanye West feat Dwele
The first time I saw this I had the biggest WTF face. Half the song is missing! But over time I grew to love it and it makes sense once you understand the meaning of the song. Plus one has to wonder if Kanye also had all his ‘haters’ in mind as they would like to do what that chick did when she went on him Goodfellas style.

Good Morning – Kanye West
The clip tells a story of a bear who struggles to get to his graduation ceremony. The bear, who for all intensive purposes is Kanye West, overcomes these problems and eventually graduates in hip hop. It is very much symbolic as it is his last released track off the album Graduation, and it includes a DeLorean!

And then here we have the funniest of the year:

Jizz In My Pants – The Lonely Planet
Following from last year’s ‘Dick In A Box’ comes this year’s hit from Andy Samberg’s crew, The Lonely Planet. This song is absolutely hilarious and if it were released at the time I wrote this it would have easily been number 1. Just in case you were wondering, yes, Justin Timberlake is back, and also includes Molly Sims (Las Vegas) and Jamie-Lynn Sigler (The Sopranos).

Naughty Girl – Mr G
Using the success of the series of Summer Heights High, Mr G (Chris Lilley’s alter ego) launches this song into the market which is rather funny, especially to those who are fans of the show.

I’m Fucking Matt Damon – Sarah Silverman feat Matt Damon
I’m not quite sure how this became so popular but it is well and truly hilarious, and launched Sarah Silverman’s career so much so that she now has her very own TV show.