The National (rock band) Video: "Slow Show" Mixed to "Masculine Feminine" by Jean Luc Godard

One of the great things about YouTube is the brilliant work that citizen artists put out there on a daily basis. My new favorite band is The National and their great 2007 CD "Boxer." This is a brilliant piece of editorial that combines the song "Slow Show" with Godard's gorgeous black and white footage and the fabulous dark-haired female beauty, Chantal Goya. See Ali McGraw for an American 1960's equivalent. The film is a perfect match for The National's drum and baritone-vocal's driven music (see a lyric sheet the first time you listen). This is a great video. Don't forget...videos are ads for bands. This one is particularly good due to the music AND a fabulous director.

R.E.M. "Accelerate" Launch Website (ninetynights.com) & Relaunch Vehicle for the Band..

R.E.M has just introduced a website called ninetynights.com as a teaser to build interest for their new "Accelerate" album due in April of '08. Starting On January 1 '08 a different 30-90 second video will be posted each day (or night) for ninety days. Cool idea. Especially since it's impossible, at this point to determine where it's all going (makes sense to me...otherwise why come back besides the fact you can download each new clip in HD for that day only). The video has been shot by Vincent Moon who has made videos for The National's "Alligator" ("Lit Up", "Daughters of the Soho Riots") and Beirut among others. R.E.M. needs smart marketing and decision making at this point.

"Accelerate" is rumored to be a return to the classic 1994 "Monster" R.E.M. sound of "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" and "Crush with Eyeliner". It's produced by Jacknife Lee (Snow Patrol's last two breakthrough records, Greenday, and some U2 co-production). He's a brilliant producer but can at times overproduce. At this point, R.E.M. needs a record like U2's "All That You Can't Leave Behind" that returns to their classic sound and builds on it with great songs to relaunch the band. The site is a smart step in the right direction.