Music Video

Great Music Videos: Ministry- Just One Fix

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Back in 1992, Ministry released their highly influential and successful album Psalm 69: The Way To Succeed and The Way To Suck Eggs. The album produced three singles that have become classics, “N.W.O.,” “Jesus Built My Hotrod,” and “Just One Fix.” Videos were made for each of those songs with the latter “Just One Fix,” being one of the most intriguing of the three. The video was directed by Peter Christopherson of the band Coil and it features author William S. Burroughs. A few interesting samples can be heard in the song. There is an audio clip of Burroughs saying “Bring it all down” along with a clip from the film Sid and Nancy, in which Chloe Webb (who played Nancy) says “Never Trust A Junkie.” One of the other samples “Gimme the thorazine. You don’t need the thorazine” is a slowed down excerpt from the movie The Trip which starred Peter Fonda and Bruce Dern. The video itself is disturbing yet extremely realistic which makes the song come to life even more. Something else that you might find cool is that the single artwork for “Just One Fix” was created by William S. Burroughs as well.

 
Ministry- Just One Fix:

 

 

 

Just One Fix- Single Cover Art:
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Video Rank: Depeche Mode

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Since I’ve been on my Depeche Mode kick the past couple weeks, it has made me truly realize how amazing this band really is. Not that I didn’t think that before but, after delving deep into their catalog, starting with album number 1 till their newest, it’s not hard to come to the conclusion that Depeche Mode is one of those bands that will live on forever. While on this journey, I started to really look closely at their visual aspects. Over the years they have released some of the most artistic and unique music videos. Naturally, you know what that means… it’s time for a video rank! Here are the top ten videos by the one and only, Depeche Mode.

 

10) Enjoy The Silence:

 

 
09) Strangelove:

 

 

08) Personal Jesus:

 

 

07) Dream On:

 

 

06) Where’s The Revolution:

 

 

05) Heaven:

 

 

04) Soothe My Soul:

 

 

03) I Feel You:

 

 

02) Walking In My Shoes:

 

 

01) Wrong:

 

Great Music Videos: Nine Inch Nails- Only

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I’m sure you all know by now that Nine Inch Nails is my favorite band. While thinking of what to share with you all today, I wound up with the song “Only” in my head. There are a few things about the song that are really cool. For starters the song was the number one song on the modern rock charts for seven straight weeks when it was released. “Only” is the 20th most played song in the bands live history. And, the music video for the song, which was directed by David Fincher, is one hell of a great video and truly artistic. The CGI heavy video is one of the most intriguing videos in the latter part of Nine Inch Nails’ history. David Fincher and Trent Reznor are one hell of a team together. Their shared vision and ability to create genuine art is profound. Enjoy this great and now classic video.

 
Nine Inch Nails- Only:

 

Here’s a bonus… Check out this awesome remix EL-P (from Run The Jewels) did:
Nine Inch Nails- Only (EL-P Mix):

 

Video Rank: Korn

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Korn is one of the most recognizable bands of the last 25 years. Not only are they cemented in the rock n roll history folklore but they continue to be one of the most consistent and hard working bands out there. One thing they were always keen on was putting out quality music videos. So here are Korn’s top ten videos.

 

10) Clown:

 

09) A.D.I.D.A.S.:

 

08) Got The Life:

 

07) Black Is The Soul:

 

06) Here To Stay:

 

05) Rotting In Vain:

 

04) Falling Away From Me:

 

03) Blind:

 

02) Make Me Bad:

 

01) Freak On A Leash:

 

 

Great Music Videos: Metallica- One

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It’s really interesting and crazy to think that the first music video Metallica ever did was on their fourth album And Justice For All for the song “One.” I remember seeing it for the first time when I was about four years old and thinking that this was awesome. This video was without a doubt groundbreaking at the time as well as responsible for the beginning of making Metallica a household name.

The video for “One” was directed by Bill Pope and Michael Salomon and it debuted on MTV, January 20th, 1989. Something else that is quite interesting about this video is that there were three versions made. The first (the longest, album version) contained scenes of both the band and scenes from the film Johnny Got His Gun. The second was simply a shortened version of the first, and the third, often known as the “jammin’ version”, lacked scenes from the movie (the song and video fades at the last bridge in the third version).

“One” was the perfect song and video to really introduce Metallica to households across the world. The video to this day almost 30 years later is still impactful and chilling, which is what makes it such a great video.

 

Metallica- One (from And Justice For All):

 

 

 

 

 

Great Music Videos: Pearl Jam- Jeremy

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I know I keep bringing this up but I really and truly miss the days when music videos actually meant something. In a way they were short films and the music was the inspiration and guide. I’ll never forget being 7 years old, watching MTV, and seeing the video for Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy.” What a terrific piece of art this video is. Director Mark Pellington really hit a home run with this one. The depiction of the original story of Jeremy to the lyrics of Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, are masterful. Eddie has and always will be one of the best lyricists of all time. His connection to the story and pain through his vocals is astounding, just like the video.

 

Pearl Jam- Jeremy:

Great Music Videos: The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979

 

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It’s a shame music videos aren’t made like they used to be. Gone are the days of proper budgets to make a great video and the narratives that came along with the video have disappeared as well. Granted there are still a few directors out there that have been able to capture the essence of yesteryears. One video I will always remember fondly was for The Smashing Pumpkins song “1979.” Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Jane’s Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins, Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers), really honed in on what Billy Corgan wrote the song about and the end result was something beautiful. It’s also crazy to think that this video is now 22 years old. My head is spinning just thinking about that. Here’s a piece of cool trivia that you’d find interesting. The video for the song “Perfect” from their Unsung Masterpiece, Adore, is a sequel to the 1979 video, and involves the same characters who are now older.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- 1979:

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Perfect:

Great Music Videos: Alice In Chains- Rooster

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Let’s take a trip back to February 1993 when the video for the Alice In Chains epic “Rooster” was released. The Mark Pellington directed video was poignant, dark ,deep and realistic. The video featured real Vietnam War documentary/news footage as well as some very realistic, graphically re-enacted combat scenes. Jerry Cantrell’s father was a consultant on the video, as it explores Cantrell Jr.’s interpretation of his father’s war experience. Something else that is interesting about this video is, at the time the video was also the longest music video ever aired in full on MTV (running approximately 7 minutes long).

They really don’t make videos like this anymore and that is a real shame. I will always remember how impactful the video was and still is.
Alice In Chains- Rooster:

 

 

Great Music Videos: Guns N Roses- Estranged

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I will never forget seeing the video for “Estranged” which is my favorite Guns N Roses song. First I wanted a pair of shoes like Axl had, and second I wanted to jump off an aircraft carrier (even though it’s an oil tanker) into the ocean and swim with dolphins. Yes, we all know the video is a bit far fetched but you can’t deny how awesome it really is. They don’t make videos like this anymore. If I’m not mistaken the cost of this video was in the millions too. Anyways enjoy this great video!

 

Guns N Roses- Estranged:

Great Music Videos: Every Time I Die- Map Change

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Every Time I Die is one of the hardest working and best bands of the last almost 20 years. These guys continually evolve and get better and better as time and albums come and go. On their latest album Low Teens, which is one of 2016’s best albums, Every Time I Die, really got personal and let it all hang out there. The closing track on the album “Map Change,” is one of the coolest songs I’ve heard in a long time. The video is just as good too. It’s an homage to their hometown of Buffalo, New York and it gives a glimpse of life out there in what many know as the armpit of the US. Check out the video and the song. If you aren’t a fan of Every Time I Die, you will be by the time the video is over.

 

Every Time I Die- Map Change:

 

 

Every Time I Die- Low Teens: