Some brief musings on the latest music videos I've seen, reviewed in alphabetical order. Click on hot-links to see individual artists' video pages on which these appear...

Goldfrapp "Train (Daytime Version)": Slinky and seductive vocals set against a hard alternative rock - techno'ish aural backdrop. The images are noirish glitter and gold set in a strip club. Much flesh flashing and pole dancing abound. Intercut with a band "performance" done up New York dollish style. It makes for some nicely distracting ear and eye candy, but isn't very filling. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Jewel "Intuition": Three words: Jewel. Goes. Electronica.

In less than a minute into the video, her bikini-topped breasts are prominently displayed. This from the girl who, just a few years ago, was complaining to any interviewer who would listen, "All the guys do is look at my incredibly large breasts! Waaaah!"

Since much of the imagery is set in a faux advertising motif - so-called "parodies" of beer and shoe ads, for example - I guess this is supposed to be "Ironic T&A". Just when I thought noboby grasped the concept of irony less than Alanis Morrisette, here comes Jewel.

That said, the song does grow on one after repeated listening. It has a good hook. Or TWO good hooks, if you know what I mean. Heh heh heh...

When the Jewel biography is finally written, this song will make up the bulk of the chapter entitled, "The Exact Moment In Which Jewel Sold Out."

But, then, what do you expect from a gal who grew up in a van down by the river? I now wonder, who will save HER soul?

Marilyn Manson "mOBSCENE": It's another highly stylized video from the ringmaster of the grotesque. You've got a woman sloshing around in a giant martini glass. There's the WWII-era military-style chorus line kicking up its heels, accompanied by swing on the dance floor. The band performs, lit by a vaguely hip-hop "big wall of lights" visual aesthetic. Manson's videos are always visually intriguing and slightly ominous. This one is no exception. The music sucks you in and bleeds your ears dry. It's that heavy heavy monster sound, the nutsiest sound around. It's not quite madness, but is definitely... One. Step. Beyond.

Jason Mraz "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)": A serviceable video for a folk-inflected alt-rock guitar singalong that I'd charitably dub "Matchbox Twenty Lite."

Hey, Jason... Duncan Sheik called. He wants his career back when you're finished with it.

t.A.T.u. "Not Gonna Get Us": The second video single from a debut album I reviewed on blogcritics a couple of weeks ago. More 80s New Wave-influenced grrl anthem set to song. Visually, it is predominately images of the grrls in snow flurries and riding on top of a long, speeding train. Gee, phallic much? There's also some girlie groping. Ok, we got it, t.A.T.u. You're lesbians. Now get over it already!

Admittedly, a "guilty pleasure" with the accent now leaning more toward "guilty" rather than "pleasure." What can I say, I'm fickle that way. It's not them, it's me.

[]

This ends my first "All-Star Music Video Revue"... Lights out, kids!