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July 19, 2006
Retrohump - When DIY was literal
In light of yesterday's post, we visit REM, the little band from Athens, GA that could (and did)... serve as the archetype of college radio. From Cocteau Twins to Sugar to Peal Jam and beyond, REM help spur this "alternative" tag that now seemingly graces everything. But from the beginning of their ascension from alt to mainstream with middlebrow fare like Everybody's Hurts and Shiny Happy People, REM's also had a complex palate of sounds: dark undertones like a gathering storm mixed with Michael Stipe's yearning voice. The earlier bits of their catalogue are not perfect, but it's the messiness of their seemingly DIY aesthetic in sound, appearance, and videos that is warming to a jaded 2006, with "fake" Internet sensations and matching suits.
Radio Free Europe - David Letterman
No studio marketing team would let them go out dress like Screech these days; they are refreshingly nerdy (and not in the nerdy hipster way). This is one of those great 80s anthems.
Fall on me
This video is funny because, if you didn't know any better, I could convince you that some 14 year-old won a contest (where he had the only submission) to create a video for under $30. If today’s tools were in place in the early 80s, I have a feeling there would be a lot of “professionals” out of a job.
Orange Crush
This one is marginally better, but it looks like that same 14 year-old got a $75 budget and filmed his family at their vacation house.
Tags: REM, Retrohump, DIY, College Radio
Posted by Keith O'Brien at July 19, 2006 11:29 AM
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Comments
Thanks guys.
Posted by: Randall at July 19, 2006 12:14 PM
I guess this is where Eddie Vedder got his frontman moves (re: letterman vid).
Posted by: Sebastian at July 20, 2006 04:24 PM
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