Wednesday 28 September 2011

-Music Videos on my Mind- College (feat. Electric Youth) “A Real Hero”


Despite film critics praising Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn's new movie Drive, which stars Ryan Gosling (the only actor of his generation who is adored by both men and women, equally); its pulpy mix of existential solemnity and tonally haphazard scenes of ultra-violence left me weary.

Drive makes a conscious effort to create a modern LA setting that has elements redolent of the 1980s.

From the credit titles, cinematography and music choices, Drive tiptoes on the precipice of period and present, though why it does this is never clear other than a blatant desire to be pretentious.

For all of Drive's faults (of which there are many), one thing you're guaranteed to remember is its inspired use of College and Electric Youth's gorgeous synthpop song A Real Hero.

A Real Hero has a timeless quality, so much so that you'll swear you've heard it countless times before, only it just came out this year.

Winding Refn's front and centre use of A Real Hero is surprising considering neither College nor Electric Youth are signed to a record label, meaning the song has no music video to promote it.

Instead, those who liked Drive, and loved its inclusion of A Real Hero, have created their own music videos for the song.

The internet has a number of bootleg versions effectively packaging and selling A Real Hero at no cost to either the artists or studio. It's a clever move and may set a viral trend for how some independent songs are marketed from now on.

Upon hearing the track I'm sure you will agree that the potential music video possibilities are endless. To me it screams out a thousand Diet Pepsi™ ads, garish neon lights, off-the-shoulder tops and a smiling Molly Ringwald all in one stunning montage.

12 comments:

  1. That song really can have a lot of different but still fitting music videos, you're right :) It's a nice, sort of soothing song with a cute synth.

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  2. I didn't know the video (or the artist either). I loved it though. And i agree with you that this has pepsi ad (but not only pepsi, i guess it can fit a wide array of ads actually) written all over.

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  3. I don't get the obsession of certain movie circles with Nicolas Winding Refn . He makes bad films.

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  4. I think your right about people making their own videos off of others work, And that companies are going to continue to encourage it.

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  5. "Upon hearing the track I'm sure you will agree that the potential music video possibilities are endless. To me it screams out a thousand Diet Pepsi™ ads, garish neon lights, off-the-shoulder tops and a smiling Molly Ringwald all in one stunning montage." - so true

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  6. Nice chasing action, I might watch this movie!

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  7. Just as long as the trend steers clear of Kenny G...

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  8. I like the video - this is why youtube and vimeo are so fun for me - to see how others create "music videos" out of others work.

    What I am not so sure about is that Chrysler. Silly looking thing.

    Amber

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  9. I haven't seen this movie yet, but I hear it's good

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  10. Although assaild with fortune fierce and keen, Following!

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  11. Yep, this is my favorite movie soundtrack this year. I really like this song.

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  12. Great song, and it does sound timeless.

    I enjoy going through Youtube to view fan-made videos. Some are well done and truly capture the spirit of the songs.

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