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The Decemberist – O Valencia
(Aaron Stewart)

30 January 2007 7 Comments | written by: Brian

Decemberists

So it looks like all the green screeners are getting the shaft on the previously reported, Cat Solen directed, version of this song. Maybe after Naked Sun dropped, word got out on Cat Solen, plus the whole green screen idea was pretty lame in the first place. We all know fan made videos suck and you know it’s time to move on when hack radio artists are testing the waters. Can we all just agree that the fan made music video is dead. We all saw what happened when the YYY’s gave up the camera to fans for ‘Cheated Hearts’, and too bad cause that song is as solid as solid gets (We are talking Osmium status here). The only good thing to come out of this failure is the high handed press it incurred when Colbert started a little tuff with Colin & crew which let to some cute back and forth antics.

Relying on former video cohort Aaron Stewart, who directed the superb clip for ‘16 Military Wives’, he tackles this new tune with the same style and touches. The band is once again cast, filling the roles of this quirky Wes Anderson-esque romp which sees Colin Meloy get pounced for standing up for the heart of a woman. While the story and attempt are a noble journey down the path of intrigue, the lackluster apex of the clip leaves us wanting more than just a bloodied up lead singer and a dead girl on the pavement. The fight scene just isn’t the payoff I was looking for. The operatic qualities of the Decemberists’ music demand more. I really think someone should put on a musical or play scored to the songs of the Decemberists, kinda a live action music video for some of their songs. Shit would be hot. I know ‘Mariner’s Revenge Song’ would be a must.

Despite the video’s mediocrity, the web seems to think it doesn’t exist. So in honor of its availability limited to Ifilm and MTV Overdrive, I’m going to deem this an SRO exclusive. I’m unsure why no one else is talking about it (I thought the Decemberists were huge), hopefully this post will serve as the catalyst to get things rolling. I know it’s no green screen, Cat Solen directed masterpiece, and the Decemberists are sorta last years news, but Colin Meloy and company are still extraordinary artists and attention should still be paid. Respect.


The Decemberists – O Valencia
Directed by Aaron Stewart

VIEW
Via iFilm

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Quicktime 7 (iPod compatible: 52.3 MB)



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7 Comments »

  • michelle said:

    nice osmium reference.

    (p.s. oh, and about wishing the video were more violent… you would!)

    xo,
    mp

    # 30 January 2007 at 9:35 pm
  • Kevathens said:

    Yer ifilm link needs a fixin’, sir.

    # 31 January 2007 at 3:55 am
  • Brian (author) said:

    thanks Kev, did to done.

    # 31 January 2007 at 11:39 am
  • George said:

    I think I would have like the video if it was more literal or a less literal video. You’re right, more dramatic, more show. Still waiting for the mariner’s revenge video.

    # 31 January 2007 at 11:29 pm
  • Derek said:

    If I weren’t so high I’d list all the problems I had with that video, but trust me – there are a lot. It’s just such a bummer that such a solid concept (and the execution in the first half of the clip was great with those quirky captions and whatnot) that just ended so poorly and predictably. And can we learn a lesson from the “I Still Remember” video and stop making band members act if they can’t fucking act? Seriously, it’s cringe-inducing.

    # 31 January 2007 at 11:55 pm
  • otakuhouse said:

    It’s me, the director.

    This version you are seeing is a cut done expressly and only for MTV. They had an issue with our violence content, so we were asked by Capitol to cut a version for them. So the over the top violence here is all dulled.

    The main version myself and the band are happy with was meant to be (and I was asked to come up with) long and they asked me to do some multiple endings. So I did. It’s ridiculous and overwrought and way too ambitious for its budget but it is what it is and the faux acting thing suits the whole sort of Decemberists theatrical thing. But we wanted to get away from faux Victoriana. That version is 10 minutes long.

    I don’t know where it’s gone, or what’s happened to it. Capitol Records are having a crazy week, that much is known.

    I don’t think the other cuts would solve many of the problems you express here but I like them a lot more than this one and Rob the editor and I would agree work with the music better.

    # 1 February 2007 at 2:17 pm
  • Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Posses Your Heart (Shawn Kim & Aaron Stewart-Ahn) at Shots Ring Out said:

    [...] when it comes to Stewart-Ahn’s later works including one for the Album Leaf, the troublesome O Valencia, and Chris Walla’s solo Sing Again. One pattern being that you’re in for a slow sedated [...]

    # 11 April 2008 at 1:01 pm