The music industry has been making videos for singles for the past 60 years and since then we’ve had whole areas of business dedicated towards making new and interesting videos for whatever new band comes on the block. But surely I ask you fellow bloggers and reviewers we must still have enough burning creativity about us to make a video that is actually seemingly new and not have to boast about attempts of being original. I know I’m no music video expert but when a new Indie band that scrapes enough fans from the bottom of the ‘individual barrel’ starts to rant on about how they truly are unique compared to the other million Alternative bands, something must be said. I’m sorry but its time I proved a point regardless of my stature and reputation as a veteran music reviewer.
Acoustic Plenty’s single ‘She’s got you high’ was hailed by the band as “the ultimate debut music video” because of how they “redefined classic music video conventions”. But I fail to see the justice in such a claim as throughout the whole video I see nothing but stolen ideas from hundreds of other music videos. The very fact that they simply blurted this out into the blogosphere and let the news run wild amongst their followers is obtuse. The internet in all its glory may host a vast array of continuous lies and have the ability to make even the most absurd rumour truth. But people underestimate the level of foolishness that others can have and someone out there may, even for a second, believe that outlandish claim. And as a prolific reviewer gifted with a sense of taste I have taken up the task of replying to this claim in search of justice.
The video in fact follows these well-established conventions:
· Developing a narrative
· Chronological band shots
· Repetition of camera shots (long shot, medium shot, close up)
· Keeping a running theme
So to the people that made the music video I say this ‘you have stolen ideas from countless other music videos, and followed the most common conventions. I demand proof that you understand this and show where your inspiration came from’.
Aside from the fact that was most likely a rant it will probably ensure the future of Acoustic Plenty’s credibility and will help them avoid the terrible demise of Razorlight and their balloon headed lead singer, which no one wants.
