Around since 2002, Portland, Oregon’s Thermals have been sloshing through the indie swamplands for sometime now. I don’t think I would’ve even known about them if it wasn’t for Brian’s anal attentive drive for quality music (Thanks bastard.)
Well, now since some of you probably don’t know (shame, shame, shame) they just dropped their newest album as fresh as Brian’s morning crap, and like said crap, it’s some hot shit! Even the kids over at Pitchfork agree! So you KNOW it’s the real deal.
Though Whitey starts the video off in a pretty static white room, as time and the song go on you’ll see that this video is anything but. In fact it’s a fuckin’ party! Whitey brings beer bongs, gets paint thrown everywhere, invites priests and nuns, bums that look like Adam Goldbergh (Oh Shit, it is Adam Goldbergh), creates makeout sessions, and even gets people to pass out and more. And through it all, The Thermals clock in to start it, and clock out knowing confidently they’ve done a job well done. Damn. I wish my job was more like that.
Lastly, for those at the front of the room actually taking notes, you’ll see that Whitey employs a trail mix of ideas to make the video interesting and exciting. There are flashes of actions and images, which can cause confusion (Is that Colin Meloy or Ben Gibbard playing the acoustic guitar?), cause laughter (cross dressing), or even send subliminal messages (use of an ibook or writing on the wall). Other aspects that Whitey also used, include reverse motion, strobe effects, cameos, and (surprise surprise) stop-motion. So even though Whitey’s video may seem to be easily accessible, it still has a lot going on and can be very intricate (yes James that’s for your comment from the Tapes ‘n Tapes post).
Anywhoo, the Thermals train is about to depart soon, so those of you who don’t have tickets, get ‘em before departure time. Kids you don’t wanna miss this!
via SubPop
Quicktime 7 (iPod compatible), via SRO
Having what is basically a party in a room that uses every music video trick in the book is the exact opposite of subtle, and thus the exact opposite of the Tapes ‘n Tapes video. This video requires no mental effort whatsoever… it’s candy. The video for Cowbell is more like a perfectly baked piece of bread where you need to choose your own dipping sauce.
And for the record, this video: In your face gimmick? Check. Girl for you to fall in love with? Check.
That said, I do enjoy candy, as you know.
Well I actually liked this a lot. It made me excited. But I thoroughly enjoy a quick, pick-me-up, fun-filled video every once in a while. For my birthday I want a box that can do all that. You better start looking Los.
ps. It’s good to know that Brian drops the Cosby kids off at the pool in the morning. Now I know to steer clear away from the animal house till afternoon. Thanks for the tip!
I hear Owen Wilson is pretty anal attentive. Him and Brian should hang out.
Was that Colon Meloy? The video is hot. I love the room full of balloons. I actually loved the entire thing. Can I have another piece of candy.