Goodwin's theory incorporated in The Beautiful Ones by Suede

The music video,The Beautiful Ones by Suede ,released in 1996 and went straight to number1. Is pretty much Goodwin's theory in a nut shell...

Throughout the video , There is a constant relationship between the lyrics and the visuals . Furthermore , Lead singer Brett Anderson looks straight in to the camera whenever he sings for most of the video.This demonstrates the idea of voyeurism , the notation of being watched.

Here are some examples of the realtionship between lyrics and visuals...



'Stuck in a lonely town'



 

'Psycho for drum machine'



'Got too much time to KILL'

Voyeurism













 Brett staring at the audience...



 



and again..

The Genre of this song is britpop.The britpop genre was formed as a rebellion against American grunge and Shoe Gazing bands such as , Nirvana , Soundgarden etc... Suede and Blur are considered founders of the Britpop genre in the early 90's.Therefore,the video appeals to a rather niche audience,as most people at the time enjoyed listening to the American bands of the time.Britpop was considrerd to 'spawn a new generation' 'Paul Weller'. What made Britpop so appealing was its ambiguity and androgynous image.The ambiguous lyrics featured in Britpop music was facinating to people at the time as the songs required thinking , due to highly figurative language present. E.G 'Suede- Metal Mickey 'She sells heart, She sells meat' , This basically states 'she's a prostititute'.



The androgynous image of Britpop .Portrayed here by Suede frontman Brett Anderson.

The protagonist ...The young angry man and its origins.unfinished

Within the metal/rock/punk genre , There is the presence of an individual who rebels against society and the law. Someone who wishes to make a difference with their angst and frustration.

The orgin of these individuals appear back in the 1950's in Northern England, with the birth of Kitchen sink drama.The cultural movement rooted in the ideals of social realism. Arguebly ,the most Notorious figure from this period is the charatcer of Arthur Seaton ,played by Albert Finney .



Arthur Seaton :His ill temper and masculine mannerisms bear resemblance to
Metal/Rock/Punk icons from the early 70's to late 80's ...The period in which these genres were founded.





Sex Pistols frontman Johnny Rotten is a prime example of a Punk icon that had the mannerisms of Arthur Seaton. Johnny was arguebly one of the most rebelious individuals within the music industry and would knock down anyone that got in his way.His ill temper and ' controversial ' views on the media and government  landed him trouble many an occasion.Ever since his rise to public attention, Lydon(Johnny) has remained a critic of much in British politics and society. Coming from a working-class background, he has remained heavily opposed to the class system, describing how private schools "tend to turn out little snobs.



Mood Board / Alternative metal

This mood board consists of various objects that conform to the alternative metal genre. In terms of consuming the alternative metal genre,The magazine Kerrang is very much focused on the genre and other sub genres within metal. Bands that are of the Alternative metal genre also feature. Black Sabbath are regarded as the pioneers of metal as well as as Seattle outfit Sound-garden.

Metal fans appear to be big fans of accessories that promote their love for the genre.The Iron maiden bag and the 'I love alternative metal' are examples of these accessories .

Location,Location,Location. unfinished

The setting of an abandoned car park conforms to the metal genre , due the concrete jungle element that it portrays. The industrial setting also reflects the origin of the genre , as metal was inspired by the hard sounds of the factories in the late 60's .

We chose this abandoned office to be one of the locations of our Music video as it reflects the anger of young people and lack of opportunities and jobs for young people.



These industrial desolate  settings bare resemblance to the abandoned buildings that feature in the opening scene of
This is England.Reason being that they reflect the lack of opportunities and anger of young people.

The Great British tradition of a music festival... or not for much longer ?

Over the last decade there has been a rapid increase in popularity of music festivals nationwide.Why is this ? To see your musical heroes up close and personal ? , To take drugs and live life on the edge for a weekend ? or is it simply an individuals love and passion for music ?... It's all of these reasons.However in my cynical opinion ,the reason music festivals are so popular is because there is a large majority of young individuals who couldn't give a monkeys about music, but just want the freedom of no rules and parents restricting them for a period of time.These are the people who you would approach after they have been at a festival , and the following conversation would take place... 

Me:hiiiii how was latitude ?

Them: Oh it was rad, got wrecked everyday

Me:Cool, what bands did you see ???

Them: Oh we didn't see anyone, just stayed at the tent and got wrecked.


... This annoys me for than anything, and this conversation has occurred many a' time...instead of wasting a ticket , which a music lover such as me could of had , next year why don't you put a tent up in your garden and plug in your CD payer...


I read an article recently , and it stated that Music festivals are now starting to become less popular.I noticed this as last year many major festivals weren't sold out !...many will say this is due to the recession . However I believe it's due to the lack  of musical talent of the modern day...example, V-fest this year had 90's indie outfit, The Stone Roses headline...fair enough.But if you look at old music festival posters you notice that the headliners are bands from that time, because there was quality.There was no need to ask if a band that was big 10 years ago to be headliners to please everyone.



This is the poster for download 2012. What I love about it and other metal heads such as me , is that it gets straight to the point, unlike latitude with its 'it's more than a music festival'...well, it shouldn't be. Music festivals are for go'er to enjoy music, not paint kites and listen to poetry.Anyway, the poster for Download is simple yet effective, as the bands are what grab your attention and nothing else.

Racism within the metal genre.Unfinished

Although metal is one of the most popular and influential genres of our time, representations of racism appear in many metals bands videos and discography.

Misery by Gallows has images arguably representing the National Front . The video contains many union jacks carried by young skinheads in leather jackets,also everyone in the video are white British.




The idealism of the National Front is also present within various films. One example ,'This is England'. 

The Skin Head culture is established as racist in This Is England ',due to the fact that all the skin head characters are members of the National Front, Who's objectives was to eliminate most blacks and foreign people from Britain/ . The racist Ideology  of the Skin Head culture is integrated within This is England , and the music video Misery by Gallows.

American Metal band Slayer have a logo which is frightingly similar to that of a Nazi emblem. All though Slayer's logo caused much uproar , the band were surprisingly , never asked to change it.

Our track-USA by The Upgrade , lyrics

USA

With the people so nice
Security gives me a fright
They striped me down to my skin
America please let me in
I tell ya!

My name is Jevain
They say that ain’t no common name
They told me get lost
They say you folk are all the same


I'm tired an lonesome try to rest my head
I switch on the radio coz the TV's dead
They say happiness is at a new grand high
When way over there ten thousand people have died!
Oh what have you leaders what have you to say?
Mr USA!

Well the senate they lie 
Make their choices with fries
Fight through rock and through oil
Yet spreading death on the soil

The land of opportunity 
Where every man is rich
They'll slaughter all your earnings
Then they'll tell ya life’s a bitch 


I'm tired an lonesome try to rest my head
I switch on the radio coz the TV's dead
They say happiness is at a new grand high
When ten thousand people have died 
Oh what have you leaders what have you to say?
Mr USA!

Locations for filming and mood. unfinished

We as a group have established that, due to the genre of the track we are making a music video for, is metal. It would be a good idea for our locations to reflect the origin of the genre.Heavy metal was founded in 1969 in Birmingham by the highly influential Black Sabbath. All members were factory workers, and the hard sounds of the factory equipment is what gave the band the inspiration to come up with  hard sound, later referred to as 'metal'. The crunching guitar sound was discovered by lead guitarist Tony Iommi ,who spent many hours tampering with the electronics in his  amplifier to create the sound.
Therefore , as heavy metal was founded in a highly industrial urban area ,  we would like to incorporate this into our video...

The metal genre also reflects the anger of young men

possible locations are as follows...

Outside Anglia square in Norwich,there is a large urban rundown area with walls plastered in graffiti ,this give the video an edgy feel ,as well has conforming to the metal genre of music.

This little area of flats down Earlham Road sprung to mind as they have  a resemblance to a set of flats I have seen in another music video, Animal Nitrate by Suede. All though the song  isn't of the metal genre,the video is in an urban setting.

Due to the track having a political message , and the seriousness of the lyrics,I would like the mood to be somewhat sinister .Therefore i have decided to shoot the video in black and white or very low colour saturation, to give it a cold feel.The use of low colour saturation to make the video sinister is established in the music video by Sweedish metal band Amon Amarth .

Africa Shox analysis unfinished

Africa Shox by Leftfield has an amzing music video,which is jam pack full of subliminal mesages of political un rest aswell as various elements that appeal to listeners of the techno genre. Due to the mise en scene it is clear that the video is aimed at a more sophisticated and somewhat older , mature audience. Elements such as the metaphorical portrayal of the black slaves once brought over to America ;and are now forgotten , is demonstrated by the character of the black slave physically crumbling throughout the video, also conoting he doesn't fit in with modern society,and the fact that no one in the video offers to help him when in need also suggests this.

The city setting gives the video a 'concrete jungle' effect,which is very relavent in terms of the birth of the techno genre. As it was founded in the urban areas.

Music Videos I like.

Animal Nitrate released in 1992 by English britpop founders Suede , has an  intriguing video which reflects the zeitgeist of the early 90's.The connotations and subliminal messages portrayed in the video are very subtle ,however have a massive impact on the audience. The video's main focus is on Suede's lead singer Brett Anderson , who's androgynous style and beliefs are reflected with his feminine dancing and costume choice .The main purpose of the video was to challenge the government and the majority of the UK's rational views on homosexuality,bisexuality and taboo in the early 90's.Due to the video being referred to as 'outrageous' by the majority of the UK citizens ,the video was banned in a few countries including the UK , as it featured two men kissing in the original take, which was considered inappropriate. The video also features a pig in a suit, which is said to represent John Major and the other high members of Parliament at the time , as they were considered by Brett (lead singer) as 'ignorant snobs'. Brett continuously torments the pig in suit throughout the video in both a violent and in a seductive way, to make a bold statement ,as Brett believed everyone should be able to happy with who they are and express it , even if you are constantly in the media spotlight. Shortly before the video was released , Suede's gay drummer Simon Gilbert voiced his views on homosexuality in the house of commons.He managed to bring the legal age of homosexuality down from 21 to 18 and the video is a also a celebration of that significant event in the UK.

The song title is a reference to the inhalant drug Amyl Nitrate which was popular within the gay community of  London during the 90's , for reasons I will not go into. The video was desrcibed by Chris Jones off the BBC as ,''Despite its punning title it’s a thrill-seeking slice of cynicism that perfectly summed up what it was like to be young and chemically imbalanced in the nation’s capital at the time''.

The video appeals to me a great deal , due to the fact that nothing had been made quite like this before Suede and argueably after them. What makes it unique is that it is more of a statement than a fancy production, which has inspired me to create a music video with a statement or message , rather than a meaningless scenario.

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