Video comparison: a study.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Exhibit A: “The People That We Love” (née “Speed Kills”), Bush, 2001
Bush Days — Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but when it comes to music videos, there’s a bit of a fine line. Obviously, there aren’t a lot of cases where music videos seem that similar, unless there’s a direct correlation made between them, a sort of tribute or parody, but if you pay attention, it can happen.
Further, the music industry can make things pretty difficult when it comes to an artists image or portfolio of work. Artists rarely choose their own singles, have much input into the themes or concepts of their music videos, and have to focus too much on their art while undergoing ridiculous marathons of promotions and performance. So keep that in mind — blame isn’t a factor here. Just wonder.
Exhibit B: “Falling On”, Finger Eleven, 2007
When I first saw the second video (here, Exhibit B), I was immediately and resolutely struck by how similar it is to the first video above, that one for Bush. But complete objectivity is impossible; not only am I a huge Bush fan, but there’s really little to compare between the two films.
Of course, I don’t want to become like the same lot of writers and critics that lumped Bush into a neat pile of Nirvanawannabes and whatnot; I’ve even had dialogue with Rick Jackett (the bearded guitarist) of Finger Eleven, and I can tell you that the band are anything if not interesting. Which is where you readers come in — is this case a little too similar, you’e going to have to leave your thoughts below to help decide whether or not we’re seeing an infraction here.
Ps: gratitude is owed to OneSecondBush.com for having a copy of the Bush video — when even Youtube is lacking and doesn’t provide the video that you want.
Are you drowning or waving? 