UPDATE 9:56AM SATURDAY MORNING:

I feel like something should be said about this video clip as it’s already brewing an intense amount of controversy and discussion over on the Popjustice forums, and I’ve already received three emails from people thinking it’s a bit silly that I seem to like this video.

I think, like any kind of movie or work of art that is perceived as dark, harrowing, nauseating, tragic; any of these things, is going to evoke this kind of reaction from people. You’re going to have the people who think it’s an absolute work of genius, and those who are completely appalled by the content. Whilst I may not know the band or the directors motives behind the video, it’s probably quite safe to assume that — at the very least — one of them was to shock people to the core. Which, for anyone who has not actually lived through the kind of lifestyle depicted in the “Stress” video clip, is exactly what it does.

Another motive behind the creation of this clip was obviously to get people talking, and they are. The “Stress” video clip is one of the most viewed videos on both YouTube and Daily Motion in the last two days, and blogs all over the Interwebs are praising it as being “the most provocative video you will see this year” and, on some places, calling it the years best (and I’m one of those people.)

I think that the argument of a video clip like this inspiring someone to think it’s okay to behave in such a manner is ridiculous. Let’s censor movies to the point where even the word ‘gun’ cannot be used then, shall we? Let’s eliminate any movie which contains a rape scene because we don’t want people to see it and think it’s okay to just around, forcing ourselves onto unsuspecting members of the public and become sexual terrorists, right?

When I first saw Madonna’s “What It Feels Like For A Girl” video clip, I didn’t immediately jump into my car and launch into a violent tirade against people playing hockey, policemen and uneaten chips. When I saw the video for Aphex Twin’s “Come To Daddy,” I didn’t race to my nearest council-estate and start screaming at little old ladies, nor did I get fucked off my tits on a cocaine binge before wrecking havoc and mayhem across pubs and clubs, all before revealing myself to be a female in trainers after watching The Prodigy’s “Smack My Bitch Up.” When I saw Kylie’s “Wow” I didn’t deck my house out with a million and one strobe lights, hoping to induce epileptic seizures in anyone who came to visit… (Er.) Why did I not do any of these things? Because I have a brain, a brain which knows right from wrong.

Do you see where I’m getting at here though? I think if a video clip like any of the aforementioned is going to trigger something off in you that would make you think what’s being presented is an acceptable way to behave, then maybe a nice visit to your local shrink is in order to figure out what it is that’s actually wrong with you which is making your brain work that way. I’m definitely not saying this video clip has to be everyones cup of tea (ho ho!) — or that people should immediately connect with its content and fawn over its artistic representation as I have. But I am saying that a clip like this — something that evokes any form of passion within you — is a video which is worthy of praise.

I don’t want people to think that, by declaring any kind of appreciation for this video, I’m condoning the behaviour which these hooligans-for-hire are inflicting upon this film crew and its actors (that’s right - they’re acting. IMAGINE.) But I don’t think I should have to explain why I think it’s a masterstroke of genius either when no one is really condemned for labeling a trillion different movies which deal with much worse topically as their favourite cinematic experience.

My good friend Kris made an interesting point of saying it reminded him a lot of the French movie Irreversible, which — and those who’ve seen it can vouch for such a statement — is one of the most electrifyingly sickening, harrowing and dark movies of our time. It’s also an exceptional ride that, if you’re partial to a bit of a head-fuck experience with films, you’ll love to hate yourself for enjoying.

This truly will be a video clip that is very hard to beat as the years best. It’s also very hard to watch; but it’s the first video clip in a very, very long time which has made me snap my back into an upright position and pay serious attention.

Oh, just for the record, I also believe this is the strongest song on Justice’s bonkers album from last year, and am very pleased it’s been given a migraine-inducing video clip.

And now, for the video clip in question… (Click here for a Super HQ version over on Daily Motion.)

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So I’m incredibly ill today. Looks like I have tonsillitis, which is just great as you can imagine. Anyways, trying to sooth my gloom (or, maybe to a point, feed it?) — I popped on Dusty Springfield’s “Dusty In Memphis” album as I lay about under the covers feeling incredibly sorry for myself.

Then track #8, “The Windmills Of Your Mind,” reminded me of what is possibly my all time favourite skit from The Muppet Show, and I just had to YouTube it.

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So whilst I still may have a sore throat, and still may feel like I want to die, that video definitely perked my spirits all 30-something times I watched it today.

PS: This also made me giggle; Ben’s latest list on Celebrity History Lessons.  This time around, it’s CELEBRITY INVENTORS.  Wait till you see what Lance Armstrong invented…

God’s chosen Minogue, Dannii, is releasing her spectacular new album, Club Dildo Disco Dildo next week, and to celebrate, the always creative Mike over at Dannii’s Dirty Box has created a promotional video which will surely be spliced quite nicely in between adverts for the Football and Home & Away on Channel 7 during Australia’s Dannii’s Got Talent screenings. Let’s take a look.

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See, even Jesus gets down to Dannii’s Club Dildo.

I’m quite excited; this Thursday I will be in the presence of Dannii’s greatness for the fourth time in my life (and the very first time which does not involve Chapel Street in Prahran!) — as I attend a taping of Dannii’s Got Talent at the Channel 7 studio with some of my closest Dannii-obsessed friends. We are losing our shit and cannot wait. We’re even considering some ‘Club Dildo’ related banners.

Now that the lovely folk at Modular Records have rectified their problem of uploading audioless cinematography onto YouTube, here is the video clip for that Van She song “Strangers,” which I’ve been going on about since, oh, around January. Anyway, four months on, this is still the track to beat for me in regards to Single Of The Year status.

Not much goes on in the clip, but this is no problem; the boys play instruments, some singing is done, there is a bit of smoke and a giant “V” on set (not the drink, but the actual letter,) they all make looking sexy a bit effortless (particularly Tomek, drums, who looks ultra-chiseled throughout, non?) they each jump in the air during the breakdown after the middle-8, and then they all go back to playing their instruments and/or singing. Let’s take a look at all of this being put into proper effect.

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AND IN HQ…

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I’m not one for using any of the Triple A’s; Awesome, Amazing and Ace (GUFFAW,) but this song is definitely all three of those things. Very, very good stuff. And I’m incredibly fond of the clip too; all four subjects in the group make very pleasing visual aides, don’t they? Single is released on June the 7th; physical CD single (technically the boys’ first physical single release!) and digital download.

You can read everything else I’ve said about Van She over the last few months by clicking here, should you be interested.

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A live performance of Infernal’s new single “Downtown Boys.” Chorus is patchy at first, but very quickly becomes quite excellent. I should probably get around to uploading that interview I did with these guys (going back a couple of years ago now) sometime soon, eh?

Thanks to Patrick for the link. 

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Remind you of anything?

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A couple of weeks back the guys were discussing the clip in the Herald Sun, and made mention of Madge’s “Justify My Love” clip being a bit of an influence in its creation.  Lovely!

Van She’s people have uploaded a new video to YouTube which documents the travels made during their Japan tour earlier this year. The truly brilliant thing about this 2:25 running video is its featured backdrop track; “Changes,” my Number 2 favourite track of 2008 thus far, and so totally not made available anywhere other than their live shows until now. It’s also the boys’ favourite track from the new album.  Whilst it’s not the whole song, it’s certainly enough to tide us over until the album release in June.  Picture me with my happiest of faces when this arrived in my email.

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Fucking Amazing. And we’ll pretend whoever edited that video didn’t go and spell “censored” incorrectly.

News-wise, MY favourite song from the new album and next single “Strangers” (which is also my Number 1 favourite song of the year thus far) is hitting radio in two weeks, meaning we’ll be getting a new video clip from the boys soon, which ALSO means I’ll finally be able to show you all this completely bonza pop song.

On the other side of the world, UK radio seem to be enjoying the ace Van She Tech remix of that Utah Saints “Something Good ‘08″ reswizzle, and apparently some Very Important Deejays are playing it over on that Radio 1 thing. Very good news. I’m just hoping one of these Very Important Deejays is going to bother with mentioning the actual BAND once the new album is released over there, because their original material completely wipes the floor clean with any of their remixing efforts.

Finally, Van She are supporting PNAU on their national tour in April. Full details here. See you at the Billboard show on the 18th, front and center…

Oh, and if you don’t like my constant Van She scribblings then tough; 2008 is ALL about the V. If you love it, you can read more about them on this site by clicking here. Review of their Geelong gigs and Audio Interview with Matt online soon.

This is unbelievably good. The whole package; killer song, stimulating video, people fronting it… everything just works.

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This is Alex Turner (from Arctic Monkeys) and Miles Kane (from The Little Flames) as The Last Shadow Puppets, in the video clip for their debut single “The Age Of The Understatement.” It is complete and utter brilliance. It reminds me of something you’d see and hear during a musical number from one of those hilarious Lepa Brena movies!

The single is released on April 14th, with the album following on April 21st.

I’m incredibly excited about this album. Going by everything I’ve read on this project, it’s definitely going to showcase a slightly more pop/accessible sound from Alex, who I truly believe is not only one of the greatest lyricists, but also songwriters of our time. Kane and Turner’s voices work very well together too, but, not surprisingly, it’s Alex’s pipes which stand out the most in this track. Something else to be very happy about if you love the Turner as much as I.

The album was produced by musical wizard James Ford (member of Simian Mobile Disco,) who also put his hands to producing on the Klaxons‘ “Myths Of The Near Future,” and is currently twiddling knobs for the new Scissor Sisters record. As Paul would say, there is some serious, serious fizzing at the slit going on right about now.

I really, really, really heart you Alex Turner.

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Just like Monica, I too have had a hard-pressed day.

My internet connection was down for almost 24 hours today.  With all the work I have to do that revolves around net-use, this has inconvenienced me to no end.  Everything I was going to do today (on what is practically my only day off this week) now has to be pushed back to tomorrow before going to work.  That’s fine and all, but tomorrow was when I had hoped to plan the radio show and blog.  Fat chance of that happening now before Friday.

On top of all this, the air-conditioner broke (on a pretty disgusting hot day,) and the bloody water service died.  It’s hot and sticky and I can’t even shower. =(  On the plus side, it’ll all be fixed tomorrow before going to work and (obviously) the internet is now back online.

Another positive; I did speak to Muscles today in my second interview with him in as many months.  The next single from Guns Babes Lemonade is to be “The Lake” and contains a remix by Azzido Da Bass.  Bonza!  Also, the new album should be recorded by December this year, which will be followed with an early 2009 release.

There’s more, I’ll post the full interview (along with Axle and Matt Van She) in MP3 format next week.