Making of Sugar Water

ooh...just found this tidbit, thought I should include it. The bit at the end is adorable.

Sugar Water

Much like "Star Guitar" did yesterday, "Sugar Water" by Cibo Matto showcases Michel Gondry's signature use of really nifty ideas that hinge on really obsessive mathematics. I'm always surprised when I watch his stuff, even when I know how it turns out, or exactly how he did it. There's always this slow moving elegance that I find totally captivating and a clear "look how smart and ocd I am" mentality that is totally impressive. Cibo Matto is pretty nifty too, and they kick off a run of bizaro Asian pop that you won't want to miss.

Star Guitar

As promised, more trains. This video is a true staple of pop brilliance. The director, Michel Gondry, has made some of the best pop videos ever. He loves planning, organization, long shots, and tripping out his audience. I hesitated to post this one, just because it's so much better in good quality. All of the subtleties really come out.

If you're interested, I'd highly recommend his box set, which can be found here.

And finally, for those of you with patience, here's a stupefying look into how he made the damn thing.



More explorations into the slightly ocd mind of Michel Gondry are coming up tomorrow...

Music

All right...so we all just saw "Smack My Bitch Up," Prodigy's 1997 video by Jonas Akerland that includes (to put it mildly) booze, cars, strippers, and girl on girl action. Three years later, Madonna decided she wanted some attention to, and made this mediocre video with Jonas that, again, included (mild) booze, cars, strippers, and girl on girl action. So it's not really the video itself that's interesting (although the bit with animated-Madonna smashing her old song titles to bits is worth mentioning) it's the Jonas Akerland connection I've been harping on so much that's really bizarre.

Smack My Bitch Up

Jonas, Jonas, Jonas...you truly are a nifty guy. I'm endlessly curious about what made you go from making music videos about lesbo party rape for The Prodigy to your long collaboration with Miss M. Probably that fat paycheck. Why Madonna wanted you is pretty easy to see, just take a look at the vid above...it's got strippers, disco, booze, and girl on girl action...all things Madge is totally down for. Don't believe me?