Will the Hot Fire Fighters Come?

Beyonce - Ring the Alarm

This is not a new release video, but it's the current "song of the moment", so deal with it.

I like this song/video cuz it features B getting all ghetto and angry. It's that Number One Diva side mixed with a solid dose of homegirl. Nice. The video itself isn't anything specially. Pretty solid music video material, but nothing spectacular. I kinda enjoy the whole interrogation angle and her getting all up in the grill of some sort of police. I also love the knit long sleeve crop top... reminds me of her circa Destiny's Child. I also like the contrast between her glamoured and sexied up and her with minimal makeup crying. She looks so beautiful, no denying that.
She also gets to try out a nice range of looks throughout the video. This is pretty standard beyonce though. Some are hits and some are misses.

The video is average, but the song makes me feel empowered and gives me a hot swagger when I'm listening to my headphones.

Oh, the name of this post is in reference to the title of the song "ring the alarm" and also there are references to fires and smoke and flames... no hot fire fighters in the video, sad, I know. But I live close to a fire station... so maybe I'll walk past it listening to this song and wearing an awesome outfit later. (by later I mean not today, I'm tired and have to work late)

Musings on Domestication

Since I keep posting music videos and then talking about them, I've decided to make it a thing. My best friend told me that I should be a critic, so, in my own way I suppose, that's what I'm doing.

Today: Miley Cyrus - Can't Be Tamed

Today's victim... featured video... thingy...

So, first things first. I'm not a Miley fan. I'm not anti her. I don't wish ill on her or anything, I'm just not that into her. I think that's fair. Fact being, she's 17 and worked for Disney; I'm older than that, work for a University, have a contemporary art degree, love heavy metal... we have different tastes.
On that note, she's 17. I have a hard time with her being sexy in this video. Not in a "she's a minor and that's wrong", but rather in a "she look sexy sure, but has the awkwardness inherent to her youth that kills the video." Yes, she's under 18, so some people might have appropriate issues, but, to be honest, I don't find this scandalous, it's "sexy", but it ain't got nothing on the last 2 videos I posted. I'll reserve my judgements on her in general in terms on scandalizing and appropriateness for another time and place. It's not the issue at hand.
The issue at hand is this video. Let's start from the beginning... The intro. That's really the thing to do right now. It seems like all the cool kids are doing it. That's fine. I think it can be an excellent story telling device. This intro in particular is a little long I thought. And the snarling sound affects when Miley first looks up. Kinda terrifying. No lies.
Once the song gets started, I'm actually fairly fond of it. I really like the aesthetics of this video. The darkness. The Gothic look, the wings. It's pleasing to me. The fact that our Miley isn't wearing heels makes her lack of pants way less signalized. Good call on her part there... or the stylist... or her Dad said no heels, or whatever. My biggest problem with the costuming is the feathers on her hands. Holy crap they annoy me. They're just so... heinous. Bare hands would've been better all around. Really, they irritated me so much it almost ruined the who look for me. I even liked her make up. The hair was a little trashy, but it worked with the whole look... but feather hands. There are some things I'm not okay with.
There was two looks in the video, which was nice and simple... or at least simpler. I liked the contrast from the darker look to the more fresh and colourful peacock look. My issue with the peacock was that she was so obviously not allowed to move, combined with her teenage-ness, it was a bit awkward to watch her lay there. There was a little with the chest touching... but with those crazy claws and the not being able to move cuz of the bed of feathers, it look more like a "where do I put my hand" as opposed to a "look at my breasts" move. I liked her make up, fresher, sweeter, mixed it up. The scaly dress was even pretty okay. But the entire package falls short for me there.
Let's get to the dancing. Miles... not a trained dancer. But the group dances are still cool. The overall costuming and the other dancers, they all make it better. I must say, I love the "sexy orgy dance" bits. Very Britney. But also because of Miley's face. She looks so pissed. I'm not sure if she was going for angry of fierce and sexy, but the naughty sex appeal that that type of dance could evoke was totally nullified by the "I'm going to cut a bitch" facial expressions. This actually pleases me to no end.
Finally, the ending. I actually really like to closing image. It was powerful and appropriate. I know right? This is positively glowing really.
As for the song itself, nothing special, catchy, some over usage of auto tune.

But, for a not fan, I rather liked it all in all.

In the end though, my sentence for Ms.Cyrus: Either stick with catchy pop tune and movies for a tween audience, or, take a break. put on some pants. Finish highschool. Go to University (not college), learn some stuff about the world. Live in a dorm. Get an education. And, after that, maybe you will be ready to be taken seriously and to seriously work. I think you have the potential. Just need some figuring out life not in the spotlight time...
Also, if, in two weeks I want to stab myself every time this video come on much music (I don't sleep and know all the infomercials... much at 2 am it is!) I'm going to re sentence you.

Why Don't You Love Me?

So, more on the fun videos being released. Beyonce takes fierceness and sexiness to a whole new level:

I like her choice in this video. The last two videos she's done have been very digitally produced songs with Lady Gaga (don't get me wrong, love the Gaga), but it was a nice contrast to see the grainy, aged quality to this video. I also really enjoy the simplicity and the fact that it was just Beyonce. Following up Telephone needed to be something totally different. The story line, the characters, the style of costumes, everything is Telephone, while epic, could have easily gotten old quick if B didn't mix things up.
Going for the 50's pin-up / housewife in lingerie look was also a sexy, in a totally different way, choice. Even her voice and the style of the song was reminiscent of Dianna Ross and The Supremes. The details were all there. Even the scenes of her in the hotel room, drinking a martini, smoking and crying are some how just such an iconic sex symbol of the past. She's got the strong but needed - innocent, but definately not - vibe going on. And she's working it.

I think she's a babe, and often comes off as a total Diva, and this video holds true to form. But she's also a talented lady, and I adore the aethetics of this video and think she made some clever choices.

And I want the wardrobe... especially all of those shoes...

Don't worry B, I love your pin-up glamour in this video and the way you always keep it sexy and mix it up. Enjoy boys and girls.

Beyonce - Why Don't You Love Me

Well Then! Who are you?

So, x-tina has a new video. And there is lots of DRAMA surrounding it. So fun, but so silly! My thoughts and need to share my ramblings are below.

Definitely some Lady Gaga, but also Gwen, Madonna and more... I'd be flattered; it wasn't offensive stealing of looks. I, personally, felt it was more a tribute and amalgamation of some fantastic pop icons/divas.
I am bias on the Christina front. That being said I love me some Gaga and Madonna, and definitely some Gwen. Also, a lot of these looks are "in" at the moment.
Maybe I think it's silly, but what would so many people do if they didn't have celebrity cat fights (real or fabricated) to read about?
ALSO - it's called "not myself tonight"... am I the only one who thinks that this whole "she's dressing/looking like other people" thing is actually quite ironic and funny? And, I'd like to think that publicists and stylists and managers get paid for a reason, maybe intentional?
I must say there are some looks / parts in this video that I'm not as keen on. The gag... I dunno, doesn't do it for me. The pouring of the black... paint? Latex? whatever... super hot. And Christina has often been a little on the overt side with her sexuality, which is cool, she's never tried to hide or lied about it, which I appreciate. There is always something a little dark, and sexy, going on with her. I'm intrigued!
I must admit, the song itself isn't the best showcase for those amazing pipes she posses, and the depth of the lyrics aren't a the same level as "Beautiful", but I still liked it.
I do not approve of the product placement shot. It was poorly done. If it had started with that shot, and, in the same shot her hand came and grabbed the perfume, then cut to her spraying herself it would have been much better. But it was just a crappy choppy insert. Fail at product placement. That style only works if you're Lady Gaga in Telephone and it's more of an overt statement than actually product placing.
And, besides, who doesn't love some sexy controversy?
Anyway, if you are fond of overt sexuality and the sass of the "dirty girl", enjoy: Christina Aguilera - "Not Myself Tonight".