In the arms of unconsciousness, lyrics taken directly from the greatest music video of all time, Madonna’s “Bedtime Story.” And for the record before you go gettin’ all, “Oh! You’re a Madonna fan? How gay!” Relax fifth graders it doesn’t take rocket science to realize that “Bedtime Story” arrived at the peak of music videos, and was undeniably fantastic. This was all before TRL took over and MTV became a breeding ground for a celebration of the stupid!
Before I get too far off topic let me tell you what I am here to talk about. Palm Pictures has gone and put together a group of DVDs that is the absolute shit, and I mean shit as in good, not as in bad. On September 13th the studio most known for its independent picture releases made available Volume 2 of their Director’s Label Series Boxed Sets and this time it included directors Mark Romanek, Jonathan Glazer, Anton Corbijn and Stéphane Sednaoui. While only one of these director’s really captures my interest (and you can buy them individually) that is not to say the other three aren’t good. It is just that Mark Romanek has put together damn near every good music video ever, and NO, I don’t think “Thriller” is all that great.
“So, what is so great about Mr. Romanek?” you ask. Well, check out this line-up of music videos included on his DVD:
· Linkin Park – Faint
· Red Hot Chili Peppers – Can’t Stop
· Johnny Cash – Hurt
· Audioslave – Cochise (director’s cut)
· No Doubt – Hella Good (director’s cut)
· Mick Jagger – God Gave Me Everything
· Janet Jackson featuring Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip – Got Til It’s Gone
· Fiona Apple – Criminal
· Nine Inch Nails – Perfect Drug
· Beck – Devil’s Haircut
· Weezer – El Scorcho (director’s cut)
· Eels – Novocaine for the Soul
· Sonic Youth – Little Trouble Girl
· Michael & Janet Jackson – Scream (director’s cut)
· Madonna – Bedtime Story
· R.E.M. – Strange Currencies
· G. Love & Special Sauce – Cold Beverage
· Nine Inch Nails – Closer (director’s cut)
· David Bowie – Jump, They Say
· Madonna – Rain
· Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way
· Keith Richards – Wicked as it Seems (director’s cut)
· En Vogue – Free Your Mind
· kd lang – Constant Craving
Yup, he directed all of those, and on top of all that there is also a brand new documentary featuring Beck, Jay-Z, Rick Rubin, Michael Stipe, Janet Jackson, Trent Reznor, Anthony Keidis, Gwen Stefani, Keith Richards and then some, a feature with comedians Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Robin Williams discussing Romanek’s work and the making of Jay-Z’s “99 Problems.”
Then even going further every single video has a commentary track with Romanek and then most of them have a commentary track with the artists including “Closer” and Cash’s “Hurt” with Reznor, “Scream” and “Got Til It’s Gone” with Miss Jackson if your nasty, Mr. Hahn steps up on “Faint,” Fiona drops some words with “Criminal” and so on and so on.
Last, but certainly not least, all of the directors are afforded their very own 52 page book with each DVD. Romanek’s includes photographs by Mark Romanek and a Spike Jonze interview with Mark.
The DVD is truly amazing, and as a special treat I would like to share a few screen captures from the DVD… 22 to be exact. You can click here or on any of the pics below to order yourself a copy, trust me the Romanek one is not to be missed and it is only $18.74 at Amazon!
