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June 06, 2007
Retrohump - Bowie is the shillest
Feigned outraged struck the Internets again this week via Wilco’s decision to license a song to Volkswagen. As expected everyone proceeded to lose their shit. So much so that Pitchfork posted a news item on the subject with the kind of verbiage you expect from disgraced hucksters politicians, not one of America's most beloved bands. See: "Wilco Explains Volkswagen ads."
In this post-O.C. era I thought people had given up caring about bands working with corporate interests. After years of being on the defensive, the argument of financial benefits and non-radio exposure won out as a wise one for bands tossing their hat into the ring of Madison Ave. Selling out in the old school sense doesn't exist anymore. Considering payola scandals and the shitty state of radio, I’d go as far to say that having frequent airplay is the real selling out (not really, but close right?). Exceptions do exist, however; like if a band allowed itself to be adopted by say, Tom Tancredo’s presidential campaign.
The curious case of Of Montreal & Outback steakhouse vs. Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer
Outback Steakhouse commissioned Of Montreal to rework the Sunlandic Twins semi-hit, "Wraith Pinned to the Mist (And Other Games)" into a jingle for a commercial (video). It was quite ubiquitous on radios and tellys and many a blog commented on it. Of Montreal also released the best album thus far in what has been an incredible year for music. Did they bank from the commercial? Probably, but so what? Neither songwriting nor quality of future work has been affected, that much is clear. Purists aghast at the evolving trends of indifference towards rampant corporate infiltration into record collections are clinging to the somewhat misguided view that all rock and roll is committed to the punk rock ethos. One that, in a general sense (or in my opinion), has gone away forever. All one has to do is open a MySpace account to see the flood of friend requests come in from bands large and small.
One might argue that MySpace is the modern version of DIY promotion. I’d argue against that by stating MySpace is just a fancy platform for multimedia enabled interactive press releases. Band pages provide information about artists, often much more than a stand alone “official” website does, tour dates, photographs, music, videos, and the ability to insert ones self into the conversation by commenting on said pages. Fans love the ostensible direct connection, but the true reason for existence is for BAND to sell records, tickets to shows, and increase awareness of their music so they can sell more records, more tickets, and most importantly, make a living from music - something that has never been easy.
Before I risk falling too far down the wormhole of self-righteous indignation let me get on with introducing today's Retrohump. The untouchable David Bowie, pimping himself and his legacy in commercials from around the world. See Bowie spread himself globally so as to not appear omnipresent in any one region when shilling.
Related:
Retrohump day - Selling Out!
David Bowie - Vittel - Vittel Bottled water
Bowie’s disapproving looks at his various doppelgangers reminds me of Michael Keaton's film, Multiplicity. I guess that is a bad thing.
[More videos after the jump]
Davide Bowie - "Crystal Japan" - Crystal Jun Rock Sake
Rough video and grainy sound combine to provide an almost deliberate art-damaged treatment to this quite terrifying Japanese television advertisement for sake. Rare is the situation when inferior quality actually adds to the viewing experience but this crappy YouTube rip works for me. Radioactive Bowie is slinging Japanese hooch with a b-side cut from Scary Monsters.
"Crystal Japan" is an instrumental piece written by David Bowie and released as a single in Japan in 1980. It was recorded in 1979 and used in a Japanese commercial for the sake Crystal Jun Rock, which also featured an appearance by Bowie, although the composer said at the time that the track was not specifically written for this purpose. Originally titled "Fuje Moto San," it was going to close the Scary Monsters album until replaced by "It's No Game (No. 2)". (via)
More information on "Crystal Japan" (Bowie tune, not the sake) can be found on this Runout Groove post which points out similarities between Crystal Japan and the Nine Inch Nails song "A Warm Place."
David Bowie & Tina Turner - "Modern Love" - Pepsi soda
Though the extended version I posted last year is no longer on YouTube, this 30 second clip should provide more than enough.
Posted by Merry Swankster at June 6, 2007 03:01 PM
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Comments
I now feel compelled to confess that in my contemplation of the Overrated Band/Underrated Song conundrum, I gave strong consideration to Wilco but opted out because I don't know their catalog nearly well enough to come up with an underrated song. The fact that legions of their fans thought the band was somehow above wanting to make some money and publicize their new record underscores the idea that Wilco is viewed with an unwarranted level of adulation. Anyone out there know an underrated Wilco chestnut?
Posted by: david at June 6, 2007 04:32 PM
I personally don't find anything pre- A Ghost is Born to be overrated, but a lesser known one might be "Misunderstood" off of Being There. And going along with your theme, David, is the live version of the song off of Kicking Television.
Posted by: Randall Monty at June 6, 2007 04:37 PM
Heh, I remember seeing that Pepsi commercial and thinking I should switch to Pepsi. I solemly popped opened a cold Pepsi and was so sorely disappointed by its lameness. I felt betrayed by David at that moment - Pepsi sucks!
Heheh.
Posted by: JeniQ at June 6, 2007 11:21 PM
I have a beautiful vinyl copy of Crystal Japan. I don't think it's ever even been played - watching the video, I don't think I've ever heard the song before. How very interesting, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: JeniQ at June 6, 2007 11:26 PM
