Whips, Chains and A really good time?

This is the much touted, "controversial" video from Rihanna from her album "Loud." The controversial, "S&M."

Reporters from NME, to the Huffington Post have been criticing Rihanna for releasing a video too hyped up on sexuality and trying to be "Gaga-esque."

"Just because something is weird doesn't mean it's gaga." - Poutz

I'm really tired of this, people, Lady Gaga is not the first and will not be the last of musicians to indulge in subcultures. It's pop music. The main point is to make things acessible to a mainstream audience. No duh.

That being said, this video for all it's constant refrences to kinky practices, is not sexy and is not dark and creepy (see: 30 Seconds to Mars Review). In fact the video is cute. Yes, cute. With all its colorful latex outfits, famed celeb blogged Perez Hilton on a leash, the message Rihanna is sending is not that she wants to engage in such acts but rather the video is a shot out to the media speculating that she does engage in those acts. That's what pop stars do, they flirt with their controversy (see: Britney Spears "Piece of Me" video). I thought the video was well done and am surprised that its being banned from countries as well as MTV. In fact, the 30 seconds to mars video could be seen as offensive with its shot of the Veterans Coffin. But, people will complain. RiRi, well done.

30 seconds to some really kinky stuff

The following picture is NSFW:



Shennantics is a bit late with this review, but apparently 30 Seconds to Mars has some demons in their closet. Or maybe it's just Jared Leto's side of the tourbus. Anyway, last year the band showcased the 13 minute epic, short film for "Hurricane" off the "This is War" album, which had to be edited for its graphic nature and depictions of wild and bizarre S&M sex, motorcycle violence and Leto's unruly fauxhauk.

First off let's get into the review of the song, which won't take long since it's basically muffled underneath the video's loud images. You can hear it in certain parts of the song but it really does take a backseat to the music video which is not necessarily a good thing. The video should emphasize the song and not downplay it, or detract from it. Basically, "Hurricane" the song is typical 30STM fare. There is some wailing, some French girl quoting Edgar Allen Poe,some strings---all what you've come to expect from this band.


Now onto the video. Director Bartholomew Clubbins has a fetish for well, fetishes and images. Most of the video is shot so one image plays for a long amount of time and then the next one comes doubly fast. In one shot, Jared Leto is running for what seems to be forever (Poutz sister Angela noted that THIS is why the video takes so long everything is shot in slow motion) and then it's followed up with sped up and spliced sequences of black latex clad-fetish enthusiasts. Including an evil bunny, a well toned gimp and lots of other unsavory characters.

So it's apparent that the band is indulgent in some kinky stuff, other than the sexed up images, to which it's apparent why MTV banned it. But really the "censored" version is just a nipple away from being the same. Pshaw.

On top of that, there is the image of Jared Leto being thrown into a Veteran's coffin complete with a draped American flag. So now we have symbolism. The video has a message. As one commentator on YouTube pointed out it's about "harming people."

This would work well as a short film, but it's just kinda weird when your own band is the score to your short film.

Also worth checking out is the remix with Kanye West.

Keepin' up with Rihanna and Lady Gaga

Ahh, so in case you seriously don't watch MTV or you just dont care. Both Rihanna and Lady Gaga have new vids out and these ladies rule the video charts. I can't go anywhere without seeing either one of them and frankly their faces are starting to bug me.

I kid.

first on the chopping block we have Lady Gaga's mini opus, homage, basic rip-off, way too long, monochromatic much....video for "Alejandro." The song, an ABBA tinged dance medley from the "Fame Monster" finally gets a video and is it everything little monsters we're waiting for.

Nah.

As much as I can go gaga for gaga, this video is boring. The colors are harsh and what's with all the catholic church sexualization? *Yawn* Over it. Madonna already did it Gaga, and yeah cone-bra we see you. Can we get some glitter and soon? Why? It's mad sparkly. I'm sorry this video just does not do it for me and it might be a tattle tale sign that Gaga needs to recharge because nothing about this video echoes her earlier videos that gave you this feeling of "OOH LEMME SEE!"



Onto Rihanna, by the way, this video came out long before "Alejandro." That's for anyone who wants to say that she's copying.
Already this song from the "Rated R" album is about a lesbian tryst (everyone is kissing each other these days hmmm..) the video is *nice* but so much can be done you know? I'm really getting tired of all the pop starlets running around doing things to "shock" the public. We. Are. Shocked.

In contrast to Gaga's video we have lots of colors here which is nice, but, yeah it's all very same same-y. Maybe as viewers we're becoming jaded.

Summer Dance Songs *squeal*

warning : hot people in this video.

Toni Braxton has been around for some time people, remember "Un-break my heart," well she's back with a new album (Pulse) and a return to her short 'do. I stumbled on this video from another blog and instantly I was hooked. A house sound from the '90s, ABDC crew Fanny Pack...really? Church ladies getting down? This is way too good. The song is really exciting, as the video and I'm glad SOMEONE is taking a break from all this futuristic stuff that seems to be the rage. Only minus in this vid, what is going on with Toni's clothes?? no, just no. Also, this video is progressive (dare I say it) everyone is getting a shot out and it's done in a way that's not pandering or reminding you "hey we're diverse!" (see: Glee). Great song, great video. Two enthusiastic thumbs way up.

I wouldn't call you 'desperate' to your face.

I was waiting for a topic to spur me to write and then this lovely gem, landed in my lap (no pun intended hurr hurr). Kiely Williams of 3LW fame and a modicum of actual success, released this video "Spectacular" not too long ago and all I can say is "Wow, strippers are really going to have to pick up those office temp jobs?"

With pop stars getting increasingly explicit, where is the line anymore? What is the line anymore?

It would be even a smidgen okay dokay hooray if this song had artistic merit and Williams was going on a subversive angle about the commodification of women's bodies, but I would be mistaken.

And yes, if your career is sagging ...pull out the sex card. But, do it with a least a nudge nudge wink wink, because even Britney's "Gimme More" had some kind of "This is a train wreck" waiting to happen slant. Williams looks desperate and lyrics like "Blowing my back out"....so much for "mystery."
It's a sad state of affairs for pop music.

What. The. Hell.