wrong, wrong, and terribly wrong.
May 3, 2008 11:32 PM Subscribe
Hey, nice industrial techno. Like Daft Punk channeling Plasticman on a really bad trip. Wait, Kanye? Justice? WTF?
Does this mean I'll be hearing "chopped-and-screwed" breakcore on Sucka Free Sundays in about a year? Because I'd be ok with that.
posted by loquacious at 11:49 PM on May 3, 2008
Does this mean I'll be hearing "chopped-and-screwed" breakcore on Sucka Free Sundays in about a year? Because I'd be ok with that.
posted by loquacious at 11:49 PM on May 3, 2008
It's fun to do bad things.
A pretty good video, overall. Even if you like this kind of music, it isn't always suited for videos, and pairing it with something this visceral is a good idea.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:50 PM on May 3, 2008
A pretty good video, overall. Even if you like this kind of music, it isn't always suited for videos, and pairing it with something this visceral is a good idea.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:50 PM on May 3, 2008
Oh, and the part where the toughs hear a snippet of Justice's poppier music and kick the radio was a nice touch.
posted by Bookhouse at 11:51 PM on May 3, 2008
posted by Bookhouse at 11:51 PM on May 3, 2008
That's not ultraviolence. Those punks ain't got nothing on the Gestapo.
posted by Citizen Premier at 11:57 PM on May 3, 2008
posted by Citizen Premier at 11:57 PM on May 3, 2008
Warriors, come out and playyeeeyyyayyyyyyyy
*clink* *clink* *clink*
posted by Venadium at 12:07 AM on May 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
*clink* *clink* *clink*
posted by Venadium at 12:07 AM on May 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
It just sounds like noise.
No, that's industrialish em. Here's some noise.
posted by bigmusic at 12:07 AM on May 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
No, that's industrialish em. Here's some noise.
posted by bigmusic at 12:07 AM on May 4, 2008 [4 favorites]
On second thought, I should have gone with a GTA joke instead.
posted by Venadium at 12:11 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by Venadium at 12:11 AM on May 4, 2008
.
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 12:20 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth at 12:20 AM on May 4, 2008
Okay, so that Justice logo isn't really a cross, it's a T for "Thug".
A little long, but the ending was worth it, (*SPOILER*) when the JusThugs turned on their cameraman. And seeing the soundguy on fire was a chuckle.
posted by wendell at 12:42 AM on May 4, 2008
A little long, but the ending was worth it, (*SPOILER*) when the JusThugs turned on their cameraman. And seeing the soundguy on fire was a chuckle.
posted by wendell at 12:42 AM on May 4, 2008
The block of flats at the start is the same as in come to daddy isn't it?
posted by scodger at 1:19 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by scodger at 1:19 AM on May 4, 2008
You don't have to (*SPOILER*) necessarily interpret it as they turned on their cameraman, wendell - you could think of it as they were trying to leave a message for Everyone Else, and spitting on them etc is what they think of them. And then they left the camera & tape on the ground for the police to find. (*END SPOILER*)
Or whatever.
Pretty interesting though anyway, and the music wasn't half bad, though I won't run out and buy it. If your kneejerk reaction is "IT SOUNDS LIKE NOISE", though... how did you find the internet?
posted by blacklite at 1:22 AM on May 4, 2008
Or whatever.
Pretty interesting though anyway, and the music wasn't half bad, though I won't run out and buy it. If your kneejerk reaction is "IT SOUNDS LIKE NOISE", though... how did you find the internet?
posted by blacklite at 1:22 AM on May 4, 2008
Venetian Snares is usually a sure hit when I want to scare someone with music-as-noise but I can't find something good to link to at the moment to just be "here, this is noise!"
But I want to link to this anyway: Szamar Madar (it's not an official video, it's not perfect, but it references Norman McLaren old school video/animation at the beginning, so that redeems it. It does something retarded in the middle, too. But anyway.)
posted by blacklite at 1:29 AM on May 4, 2008
But I want to link to this anyway: Szamar Madar (it's not an official video, it's not perfect, but it references Norman McLaren old school video/animation at the beginning, so that redeems it. It does something retarded in the middle, too. But anyway.)
posted by blacklite at 1:29 AM on May 4, 2008
Visceral, but pretty unoriginal. Anyway, I liked the Devo sample.
posted by dersins at 1:31 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by dersins at 1:31 AM on May 4, 2008
ZOMG, French gang members, so cute! Look at their little matching outfits!
posted by whir at 2:12 AM on May 4, 2008 [7 favorites]
posted by whir at 2:12 AM on May 4, 2008 [7 favorites]
Although some of Venetian Snare's music is crazy noise, and some of it is just downright eurgh, I've managed to convert more people (including a surprising number of anti-techno-ites) to the joys of breakcore through his (slightly) less crazy stuff such as Hajnal.
It's great to keep a few breakcore / gabba mp3s on your mobile phone, then if gobby teenagers start playing tinny R&B on public transport you have the ability to make them fully aware that you can play the antiscoial dickhead better than they could ever aspire to . . .
For those who like a more melodious take on crazy music, check out some Sumoisaundi, Luomuhappo's track Greatest of Blessings from the brilliantly titled album Pog-O-Matic Pogómen 3000000 is one of my favourite examples.
posted by protorp at 2:17 AM on May 4, 2008
It's great to keep a few breakcore / gabba mp3s on your mobile phone, then if gobby teenagers start playing tinny R&B on public transport you have the ability to make them fully aware that you can play the antiscoial dickhead better than they could ever aspire to . . .
For those who like a more melodious take on crazy music, check out some Sumoisaundi, Luomuhappo's track Greatest of Blessings from the brilliantly titled album Pog-O-Matic Pogómen 3000000 is one of my favourite examples.
posted by protorp at 2:17 AM on May 4, 2008
You really have to see Justice live and loud to appreciate how awesome a track like that is.
posted by empath at 2:40 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by empath at 2:40 AM on May 4, 2008
Yeah, for some reason I was certain that bigmusic's noise link was going to be Venetian Snares. Although I have to say that the majority of his linked work in this thread is fairly accessible. Actually, I'd say that Rossz Csillag Allat Született is overall easier to listen to than damn near everything else he's done, certainly more so than any of the older work he put out.
Ah, yeah, the video. Interesting video. I liked it, although it's not exactly wholesome good timey fun so I'm sure there are a lot of people who really won't. Justice is definitely growing on me.
posted by Stunt at 3:30 AM on May 4, 2008
Ah, yeah, the video. Interesting video. I liked it, although it's not exactly wholesome good timey fun so I'm sure there are a lot of people who really won't. Justice is definitely growing on me.
posted by Stunt at 3:30 AM on May 4, 2008
sickkk joint!!!
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:05 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by StickyCarpet at 4:05 AM on May 4, 2008
Ultraviolence chic again?
Where can I find more of this ultraviolence chic?
posted by redteam at 4:08 AM on May 4, 2008
Where can I find more of this ultraviolence chic?
posted by redteam at 4:08 AM on May 4, 2008
Decent track but that video really needs some of the old Ludvig Van
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 5:20 AM on May 4, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 5:20 AM on May 4, 2008 [2 favorites]
Amusing. One night in an American jail and those hip gangster wannabes won't feel so badass.
posted by cyclopticgaze at 5:41 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by cyclopticgaze at 5:41 AM on May 4, 2008
I just saw this video last night and liked it. This doesn't mean I support "a bit of the rape and ultraviolence", but it was a well done video.
I admit I do like Justice and the other videos they've done for the album that I've seen (D.A.N.C.E. and DVNO) are well done also.
In beofre your favorite bands sucks, techno sucks, blah blah blah.
posted by Chocomog at 5:52 AM on May 4, 2008
I admit I do like Justice and the other videos they've done for the album that I've seen (D.A.N.C.E. and DVNO) are well done also.
In beofre your favorite bands sucks, techno sucks, blah blah blah.
posted by Chocomog at 5:52 AM on May 4, 2008
Alll together...
cause this is thriller, thriller night,
And no ones gonna save you from the beast about strike
You know its thriller, thriller night....
posted by mattoxic at 6:03 AM on May 4, 2008
cause this is thriller, thriller night,
And no ones gonna save you from the beast about strike
You know its thriller, thriller night....
posted by mattoxic at 6:03 AM on May 4, 2008
nice look but rather pointless.
reminds me of the NYC subway in the late eighties.
posted by krautland at 6:17 AM on May 4, 2008
reminds me of the NYC subway in the late eighties.
posted by krautland at 6:17 AM on May 4, 2008
Amusing. One night in an American jail and those hip gangster wannabes won't feel so badass.
I suppose French jails are full of intense beret wearing intellectuals drinking absinthe and discussing Sartre.
posted by mattoxic at 6:36 AM on May 4, 2008 [9 favorites]
I suppose French jails are full of intense beret wearing intellectuals drinking absinthe and discussing Sartre.
posted by mattoxic at 6:36 AM on May 4, 2008 [9 favorites]
ZOMG, French gang members, so cute! Look at their little matching outfits!
That was my reaction -- that "ultraviolence" wasn't very ultra, more infra really. Minor hoodlumism, more than anything, plus the silly outfits. Real ultraviolence has a lot of krovvy being spilled, bad things happening. Kicking car mirrors? Puhlease. Had those kids come around a corner and met a bunch of Russian mafiosi or a wound-up of drunk soccer fans, they would have gotten their matching-outfitted asses kicked faster than you can blink.
Color me unimpressed. The music was ok, though, in that background music kind of way.
posted by Forktine at 6:47 AM on May 4, 2008
That was my reaction -- that "ultraviolence" wasn't very ultra, more infra really. Minor hoodlumism, more than anything, plus the silly outfits. Real ultraviolence has a lot of krovvy being spilled, bad things happening. Kicking car mirrors? Puhlease. Had those kids come around a corner and met a bunch of Russian mafiosi or a wound-up of drunk soccer fans, they would have gotten their matching-outfitted asses kicked faster than you can blink.
Color me unimpressed. The music was ok, though, in that background music kind of way.
posted by Forktine at 6:47 AM on May 4, 2008
What fearfulsymmetry and Forktine said -- this is really a very tepid riff on A Clockwork Orange. The violence doesn't seem very ultra without a drop of blood or square inch of indecently exposed skin. For that matter, it's not even all that NSFW.
posted by localroger at 6:53 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by localroger at 6:53 AM on May 4, 2008
There was no joy in their acts and the music echoed the morose banality. Ultraviolence should be fun. Clockwork taught us that.
posted by podwarrior at 6:56 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by podwarrior at 6:56 AM on May 4, 2008
Whoops, make that "a wound-up group of drunk soccer fans."
posted by Forktine at 7:15 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by Forktine at 7:15 AM on May 4, 2008
Seriously, where are all the ultraviolence chicks?
While I also find that calling it ultraviolence is overselling it, being more realistic and "it could happen here" makes it a bit more chilling than it would have been were it more over the top.
Even if it does play like I would imagine the opening credits to Banlieue 13-2 would.
posted by adamdschneider at 7:23 AM on May 4, 2008
While I also find that calling it ultraviolence is overselling it, being more realistic and "it could happen here" makes it a bit more chilling than it would have been were it more over the top.
Even if it does play like I would imagine the opening credits to Banlieue 13-2 would.
posted by adamdschneider at 7:23 AM on May 4, 2008
Breakcore? BREAKCORE!? This is breakcore!
I always find videos, and electronic singles, like this a bit weird. Electronic music taken out of the context of the dj tends to leave a bad taste in my mouth. A lot of electronic music is kinda boring, because it is meant to be a building block within something larger. This track is not one I want to listen to from start to end by itself.
That being said, boring video.
posted by False Jesii Inc. at 7:26 AM on May 4, 2008
I always find videos, and electronic singles, like this a bit weird. Electronic music taken out of the context of the dj tends to leave a bad taste in my mouth. A lot of electronic music is kinda boring, because it is meant to be a building block within something larger. This track is not one I want to listen to from start to end by itself.
That being said, boring video.
posted by False Jesii Inc. at 7:26 AM on May 4, 2008
Good music, but the video was over the top. Real punks use their hands to take off side view mirrors.
posted by curlyelk at 7:31 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by curlyelk at 7:31 AM on May 4, 2008
Reminded me more of Man Bites Dog than A Clockwork Orange.
posted by jeffmik at 7:36 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by jeffmik at 7:36 AM on May 4, 2008
I am bemused that some people see fit to complain that the actions of the gang aren't really violent enough.
posted by oddman at 7:36 AM on May 4, 2008 [7 favorites]
posted by oddman at 7:36 AM on May 4, 2008 [7 favorites]
I like the video, but over on Antville they had this big discussion (among the usual idiot rants about "originality") about how this is kind of a conservative National Front wet dream video, where the immigrant kids are out of control and we've got to stop them.
And then someone else pointed out that maybe it's more a critique of how the media sells this message, since the camera people are so much a part of it. And I thought they both had a point.
I'm just happy when any music video in this day creates discussion at all.
posted by fungible at 7:51 AM on May 4, 2008
And then someone else pointed out that maybe it's more a critique of how the media sells this message, since the camera people are so much a part of it. And I thought they both had a point.
I'm just happy when any music video in this day creates discussion at all.
posted by fungible at 7:51 AM on May 4, 2008
Wow, you all had the opposite reaction to this video that I did. I found it very upsetting and disturbing. I wonder if we have any Parisian MeFiers who can comment on how it struck them.
Paris has a real problem in the suburbs with violent, hopeless young men. It wasn't long ago that there were major riots going on for weeks, and there was real fear the city would lose control when Sarkozy was elected. This video is like every rich Parisian city-dwellers' nightmare. Gang of tough "dark" kids coming into the city, to Sacre Coeur, to the brasserie, and fucking people up? Fighting in the metro?
This video is quite a contrast to the shiny irony of the DVNO video. I don't think Justice is posturing that they're tough gangbangers, I think they're playing out the chilling anti-fantasy of their Paris audience. At least, that was my reaction.
posted by Nelson at 8:05 AM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
Paris has a real problem in the suburbs with violent, hopeless young men. It wasn't long ago that there were major riots going on for weeks, and there was real fear the city would lose control when Sarkozy was elected. This video is like every rich Parisian city-dwellers' nightmare. Gang of tough "dark" kids coming into the city, to Sacre Coeur, to the brasserie, and fucking people up? Fighting in the metro?
This video is quite a contrast to the shiny irony of the DVNO video. I don't think Justice is posturing that they're tough gangbangers, I think they're playing out the chilling anti-fantasy of their Paris audience. At least, that was my reaction.
posted by Nelson at 8:05 AM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
Ha! Mick, my first impression was that this was a Pro-CCL video.
Crowd of thugs violently attacks one person while a crowd of pants-pee-ers stands by, turning away so as to not draw attention to themselves.
The mighty individualist doesn't look away, is targeted for the next attack, draws but does not fire and the little children run screaming from the scene probably breaking more mirrors.
But then, this isn't an Amurkin video.
It made it more entertaining to watch imagining the GOA Re-mix.
posted by Seamus at 8:48 AM on May 4, 2008
Crowd of thugs violently attacks one person while a crowd of pants-pee-ers stands by, turning away so as to not draw attention to themselves.
The mighty individualist doesn't look away, is targeted for the next attack, draws but does not fire and the little children run screaming from the scene probably breaking more mirrors.
But then, this isn't an Amurkin video.
It made it more entertaining to watch imagining the GOA Re-mix.
posted by Seamus at 8:48 AM on May 4, 2008
Both the music and the visuals do a lot to evoke the titular stress. Good job.
posted by MUD at 9:31 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by MUD at 9:31 AM on May 4, 2008
It just sounds like noise.
MY FAVOURITE MUSIC GENRE IS BETTER THAN YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC GENRE. Anyway, it's a good thing that this post wasn't about a Merzbow video cause then you'd be really shitting your pants.
As for the Justice video, *I* think it's pretty great. To me it's a kind of three minute mashup of the essence of "La Haine" and "Man Bites Dog". The fact that the documentary crew is so prominent, especially the deeper they get into the rampage, is what a lot of people that decry it as "gratuitous violence" really miss. I wrote about this in my weblog (in my profile) so I won't go at length about it, but I liked it. And I'm not even that big a fan of that French electro sound (though the album does have some moments).
posted by mkn at 9:34 AM on May 4, 2008
MY FAVOURITE MUSIC GENRE IS BETTER THAN YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC GENRE. Anyway, it's a good thing that this post wasn't about a Merzbow video cause then you'd be really shitting your pants.
As for the Justice video, *I* think it's pretty great. To me it's a kind of three minute mashup of the essence of "La Haine" and "Man Bites Dog". The fact that the documentary crew is so prominent, especially the deeper they get into the rampage, is what a lot of people that decry it as "gratuitous violence" really miss. I wrote about this in my weblog (in my profile) so I won't go at length about it, but I liked it. And I'm not even that big a fan of that French electro sound (though the album does have some moments).
posted by mkn at 9:34 AM on May 4, 2008
I was also upset and disturbed by the video, Nelson.
posted by Kwine at 9:36 AM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Kwine at 9:36 AM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
Great video. Loved the self-reference to D.A.N.C.E. when they kicked in the radio in the car.
posted by patr1ck at 10:04 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by patr1ck at 10:04 AM on May 4, 2008
This video sucks. So now the French are co-opting and commoditizing US gang culture and black impoverishment ala MTV in an attempt to sell shitty music to suburbanites. Back at home, white nerds rejoice the video as revolutionary. This is boring, predictable and highly elucidates the virtual blood lust among privileged young consumers who have the play fantasy-world with others’ misfortune and penury.
posted by tiger yang at 10:38 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by tiger yang at 10:38 AM on May 4, 2008
The crowd at that fishhead gig are really getting down! Just like crowds at aphex twin gigs do. Kind of makes one suspicious about the whole intelligent dance music monicker. Using 'electronica' makes more sense to me.
The video for the Justice song is well made and effective. I concur with fungible.
posted by asok at 10:46 AM on May 4, 2008
The video for the Justice song is well made and effective. I concur with fungible.
posted by asok at 10:46 AM on May 4, 2008
Despite the kanye Blog's bullshit claim of "exclusive!" there's a hi-res version here, for those who wish.
loquacious, The Kanye-Justice connection can be explained thusly...He's got this reverse-cultural appropriation schtick going where he picks up on things the indie kids were into a year ago and presents it to the hip hop kids as if he discovered it. Which would be awesome if he weren't putting his special brand of "this is cool because I say so" on it. I find it to be quite annoying.
posted by billyfleetwood at 10:53 AM on May 4, 2008
loquacious, The Kanye-Justice connection can be explained thusly...He's got this reverse-cultural appropriation schtick going where he picks up on things the indie kids were into a year ago and presents it to the hip hop kids as if he discovered it. Which would be awesome if he weren't putting his special brand of "this is cool because I say so" on it. I find it to be quite annoying.
posted by billyfleetwood at 10:53 AM on May 4, 2008
Is there a sequel where they are caught, sent to prison and are ass-rapped by inmates much bigger and tougher than they are, all to the sweet sounds of Enya?
posted by paddysat at 10:57 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by paddysat at 10:57 AM on May 4, 2008
Is there a sequel where they are caught, sent to prison and are ass-rapped by inmates much bigger and tougher than they are, all to the sweet sounds of Enya?
Because that would be an appropriate punishment, or because that would make for an equally "offensive" video?
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 11:08 AM on May 4, 2008
Because that would be an appropriate punishment, or because that would make for an equally "offensive" video?
posted by [NOT HERMITOSIS-IST] at 11:08 AM on May 4, 2008
So now the French are co-opting and commoditizing US gang culture
Ah yes, because only Americans can run in gangs.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:10 AM on May 4, 2008
Ah yes, because only Americans can run in gangs.
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 11:10 AM on May 4, 2008
Ah yes, because only Americans can run in gangs.
Didn't you get the memo? Violence is an America-only thing; so is capitalism, consumerism, mass media, pop culture.
posted by suedehead at 11:20 AM on May 4, 2008
Didn't you get the memo? Violence is an America-only thing; so is capitalism, consumerism, mass media, pop culture.
posted by suedehead at 11:20 AM on May 4, 2008
asok, that is so not IDM and 'electronica' was never more than a marketing term. You'll hear EDM, electronic dance music, tossed about sometimes. I linked to it, because that's the scene Venetian Snares got his start in. This is more like the Snares I know and love. Good ol' Midwest breakcore.
posted by False Jesii Inc. at 11:28 AM on May 4, 2008
posted by False Jesii Inc. at 11:28 AM on May 4, 2008
Is there a sequel where they are caught, sent to prison and are ass-rapped by inmates much bigger and tougher than they are, all to the sweet sounds of Enya?
Because that would be an appropriate punishment, or because that would make for an equally "offensive" video?
Neither. I just said it so that someone would get their panties in a bunch and ask me a loaded question like that one.
I just like sequels and Enya is well overdue for a radical makeover.
posted by paddysat at 11:47 AM on May 4, 2008
Because that would be an appropriate punishment, or because that would make for an equally "offensive" video?
Neither. I just said it so that someone would get their panties in a bunch and ask me a loaded question like that one.
I just like sequels and Enya is well overdue for a radical makeover.
posted by paddysat at 11:47 AM on May 4, 2008
Ah yes, because only Americans can run in gangs.
This entirely misses the point of what I’m saying. This isn’t about gangs at all, it’s about consumer habits. And certainly America’s knack for packaging violence and the misfortunes of others for the consumption of privileged consumers is not solely ours (though our brand of it is certainly imitated). It’s our inability to see the branding campaign behind the product; the blind brine of white dorks that will flock like pigs to the trough any time the market gives them a consumable good that allows them to peek into the misfortunes and sufferings of a pre-packaged version of a culture that is not their own. But don’t mind me. Purchase away.
posted by tiger yang at 11:55 AM on May 4, 2008
This entirely misses the point of what I’m saying. This isn’t about gangs at all, it’s about consumer habits. And certainly America’s knack for packaging violence and the misfortunes of others for the consumption of privileged consumers is not solely ours (though our brand of it is certainly imitated). It’s our inability to see the branding campaign behind the product; the blind brine of white dorks that will flock like pigs to the trough any time the market gives them a consumable good that allows them to peek into the misfortunes and sufferings of a pre-packaged version of a culture that is not their own. But don’t mind me. Purchase away.
posted by tiger yang at 11:55 AM on May 4, 2008
I thought it was kind of nice that the gang was racially integrated. At the beginning I thought it was going to be black vs white, but it ended up rich vs poor, which is atleast a small step up.
posted by Iax at 12:12 PM on May 4, 2008
posted by Iax at 12:12 PM on May 4, 2008
I would have brush it off as irony but Romain Gavras, the director, is a notorious rich white kid plagued with an obsession with ghetto imagery, he's Costa Gavras son.
It's a pretty common condition amongst rich people kids these days in France. Sarkozy's son has it, Jean-Pierre Cassel's two kids as well.
Let's hope research will find a cure soon...
posted by SageLeVoid at 12:17 PM on May 4, 2008
It's a pretty common condition amongst rich people kids these days in France. Sarkozy's son has it, Jean-Pierre Cassel's two kids as well.
Let's hope research will find a cure soon...
posted by SageLeVoid at 12:17 PM on May 4, 2008
tiger yang, I'm not certain I fully understand what you're getting at, so maybe I'm wrong to point this out, but I'm not sure how this particular piece of pop culture supports your ideas as it's got very little to do with the U.S. at all. It's a video made in France of a particular Parisian social problem supporting a track by a French band, and the video references a Belgian movie (Man Bites Dog) and a British movie based on a British book (Clockwork Orange).
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 12:18 PM on May 4, 2008
posted by Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese at 12:18 PM on May 4, 2008
So they're dicks? That's it?
I was thinking they should maybe get bunions. Or a dental condition that would require wearing headgear. Chumps.
posted by facetious at 12:39 PM on May 4, 2008
I was thinking they should maybe get bunions. Or a dental condition that would require wearing headgear. Chumps.
posted by facetious at 12:39 PM on May 4, 2008
From an aesthetic standpoint, the music went with the video well.
However, I didn't much care for it. I know that when I say that I found the imagery disturbing and sad someone's going to pop out and say "that's the point MAN it's shocking and jarring and all in your face reality!" or how violent rap music and imagery is already pervasive and call this video disturbing is to pretend that gang activity such as this doesn't exist.
Different subculture, but it reminds me of when I was in high school and they sold "Psych Ward " inmate style shirts at Hot Topic that the dopier goth kids would wear; It's only cool to you because you've never been institutionalized. The people who wear those legitimately (as in, people committed in a psychiatric ward) are in a sad situation they most likely find neither glamorous or fashionable.
Likewise, kids like the ones in the video are the end result of a long string of unfortunate circumstances, environmental factors, bad parenting, etc. It's a testament to the shortsighted nature of 'thug' culture that they so often idolize Scarface without remembering how that movie ended. There is a possibility that were these children born into affluence, hope, and guidance, they would see fit to pack together and set out on a campaign of juvenile terror and posturing, but in most cases it's a modern cowboy fantasy played for laughs and sold at a premium between rich kids, all the while protected from the very real human tragedy their everyday halloween costumes are based on.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 1:09 PM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
However, I didn't much care for it. I know that when I say that I found the imagery disturbing and sad someone's going to pop out and say "that's the point MAN it's shocking and jarring and all in your face reality!" or how violent rap music and imagery is already pervasive and call this video disturbing is to pretend that gang activity such as this doesn't exist.
Different subculture, but it reminds me of when I was in high school and they sold "Psych Ward " inmate style shirts at Hot Topic that the dopier goth kids would wear; It's only cool to you because you've never been institutionalized. The people who wear those legitimately (as in, people committed in a psychiatric ward) are in a sad situation they most likely find neither glamorous or fashionable.
Likewise, kids like the ones in the video are the end result of a long string of unfortunate circumstances, environmental factors, bad parenting, etc. It's a testament to the shortsighted nature of 'thug' culture that they so often idolize Scarface without remembering how that movie ended. There is a possibility that were these children born into affluence, hope, and guidance, they would see fit to pack together and set out on a campaign of juvenile terror and posturing, but in most cases it's a modern cowboy fantasy played for laughs and sold at a premium between rich kids, all the while protected from the very real human tragedy their everyday halloween costumes are based on.
posted by Uther Bentrazor at 1:09 PM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
The perfect antidote/chaser to this gangster-fab aesthetic is Aphex Twin's Windowlicker [NSF... just about anywhere].
posted by kid ichorous at 1:55 PM on May 4, 2008 [2 favorites]
posted by kid ichorous at 1:55 PM on May 4, 2008 [2 favorites]
When you're a JusThug, you're a JusThug all the way from your last cigarette 'til you're in with Kanye.
posted by katillathehun at 1:55 PM on May 4, 2008
posted by katillathehun at 1:55 PM on May 4, 2008
Immediate, gut reaction - it's like La Haine, but shitty, and with no context. Hooliganism packaged for buying and selling (insight in to causes and repercussions sold separately).
The disaffection and anger among abandoned suburbanites is a really complex and crucial issue that needs to be addressed, but my immediate instinct is that this video contributes nothing except providing sexual harrassment with a rousing soundtrack. Down with this sort of thing. And I'm usually the one arguing for the value of this sort of thing.
Call me when there's a music video of these tossers doing something constructive with their downtrodden blueballs, like looting supermarket chains and distributing the groceries. Until then this is a glorification of poverty, packaged for the voyeuristic delight of those contributing to or benefitting from that poverty - whatever the intent might have been.
posted by regicide is good for you at 1:59 PM on May 4, 2008 [2 favorites]
The disaffection and anger among abandoned suburbanites is a really complex and crucial issue that needs to be addressed, but my immediate instinct is that this video contributes nothing except providing sexual harrassment with a rousing soundtrack. Down with this sort of thing. And I'm usually the one arguing for the value of this sort of thing.
Call me when there's a music video of these tossers doing something constructive with their downtrodden blueballs, like looting supermarket chains and distributing the groceries. Until then this is a glorification of poverty, packaged for the voyeuristic delight of those contributing to or benefitting from that poverty - whatever the intent might have been.
posted by regicide is good for you at 1:59 PM on May 4, 2008 [2 favorites]
I suppose French jails are full of intense beret wearing intellectuals drinking absinthe and discussing Sartre.
Mostly, but you forgot Antoine Doinel, Jean Valjean, and the Man in the Iron Mask.
posted by kid ichorous at 2:02 PM on May 4, 2008
Mostly, but you forgot Antoine Doinel, Jean Valjean, and the Man in the Iron Mask.
posted by kid ichorous at 2:02 PM on May 4, 2008
This video is like every rich Parisian city-dwellers' nightmare. Gang of tough "dark" kids coming into the city, to Sacre Coeur, to the brasserie, and fucking people up? Fighting in the metro?
24 miles (36 minutes) from Compton to Beverly Hills. The matching jackets are cute, though.
posted by Pastabagel at 5:17 PM on May 4, 2008
All I can say is like...that's some great hood rat stuff. I bet the people who made this video smoke real cigarettes.
posted by saysthis at 8:30 PM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by saysthis at 8:30 PM on May 4, 2008 [1 favorite]
I like it. that is what it feels like in some of the parts of Paris and the suburbs imho. Not that kind of violence regularly but the feeling that something violent is about to happen.. it's just around.. I could sense it.. things are tense, just anger looking for a target sometimes. A guy pushed me, hard, out of the door of a metro once for no reason, I saw another man haul off and slap a woman straight in the face twice, on a crowded train (I don't think they were acquainted it was just a minor disagreement and.. instant reaction). That is real, and is the isolation and miserable conditions in some of those areas, the HLMs, the lack of opportunity and alienation from mainstream society that is really affecting people and I don't know what will happen, but I sort of understand why cars get torched a lot. I notice his film company is "Kourtrajmé" which if I catch the meaning right would be making a street slang word of the phrase "court métrage" eg "short film." ha..! Anyway it seems to me actually pretty thoughful and engaged, not at all just shock violence for violence's sake.
posted by citron at 11:07 PM on May 4, 2008
posted by citron at 11:07 PM on May 4, 2008
I'd rather find a chic that was down for the old in out in out.
posted by toddbass10 at 3:59 AM on May 5, 2008
posted by toddbass10 at 3:59 AM on May 5, 2008
That was pretty cool.
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:10 AM on May 5, 2008
posted by turgid dahlia at 5:10 AM on May 5, 2008
Great stuff.
posted by The Monkey at 7:20 AM on May 5, 2008
posted by The Monkey at 7:20 AM on May 5, 2008
I'd rather find a chic that was down for the old in out in out.
No time for the old in-out, love.
posted by The Monkey at 7:20 AM on May 5, 2008
No time for the old in-out, love.
posted by The Monkey at 7:20 AM on May 5, 2008
This video sucks. So now the French are co-opting and commoditizing US gang culture and black impoverishment ala MTV in an attempt to sell shitty music to suburbanites. Back at home, white nerds rejoice the video as revolutionary. This is boring, predictable and highly elucidates the virtual blood lust among privileged young consumers who have the play fantasy-world with others’ misfortune and penury.
Wow, way to spectacularly miss the point there.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:08 AM on May 5, 2008
Wow, way to spectacularly miss the point there.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:08 AM on May 5, 2008
brilliant. wrong and reprehensible, but that's the point. just brilliant.
posted by zardoz at 5:30 AM on May 7, 2008
posted by zardoz at 5:30 AM on May 7, 2008
Analyzed in The Guardian.
"They mainly seem to have a problem with Parisian buskers. Look at those bongos go! Not that I'm advocating violence against certain people, of course. That would be dreadful. I'm not saying it's OK to target dreadful buskers. I could NEVER get away with saying that here.
But, you know - bongos? Go on my son."
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:09 AM on May 8, 2008
"They mainly seem to have a problem with Parisian buskers. Look at those bongos go! Not that I'm advocating violence against certain people, of course. That would be dreadful. I'm not saying it's OK to target dreadful buskers. I could NEVER get away with saying that here.
But, you know - bongos? Go on my son."
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:09 AM on May 8, 2008
"Is it interesting? Yes.
Is it different? Yes.
Is it well made? Yes.
Do we like? That's another question."
posted by Neiltupper at 9:45 PM on May 8, 2008
Is it different? Yes.
Is it well made? Yes.
Do we like? That's another question."
posted by Neiltupper at 9:45 PM on May 8, 2008
Oops. Missed your link, fearfulsymmetry. Terrific article
posted by Neiltupper at 9:47 PM on May 8, 2008
posted by Neiltupper at 9:47 PM on May 8, 2008
Official Press Release from Justice re Stress:
posted by carsonb at 1:15 PM on May 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
La vidéo de STRESS est née d’une idée : offrir un clip indiffusable en télé à un titre indiffusable en radio. Sans la contrainte de réaliser un clip diffusable, nous avons pris toutes les libertés avec ce support. Pas pour choquer gratuitement : juste pour ouvrir le débat, susciter des questions, comme le font régulièrement le cinéma, la littérature ou l’art contemporain.Babelfish translation [with some help from me]:
Avec cette liberté viennent des risques : être mal interprétés, voire instrumentalisés.
Nous ne l’avons à l’origine confié qu’à un seul site web, certains que ce clip trop long, trop violent et aussi peu consensuel ne pouvait exister qu’en dehors des schémas habituels. Nous étions conscients que le clip était sujet à controverse. Nous n’imaginions pas un instant que le débat irait si loin, que nous nous retrouverions à devoir nous justifier sur des sujets aussi graves.
Mais la récupération massive de ce clip, en quelques heures seulement, nous a rappelé à quel point il est difficile aujourd’hui de contrôler la destination des images et l’intégrité de leur propos.
Nous n’avons ni l’intention ni la légitimité de parler en profondeur des problèmes de société. Ce film n’a jamais été envisagé comme une stigmatisation de la banlieue, comme une incitation à la violence ou, surtout, comme un moyen larvé de véhiculer un message raciste.
Cette vidéo n’a jamais été censurée. Nous avions pris dès le départ la décision de refuser systématiquement toute diffusion télévisuelle afin de ne l’imposer à personne. Nous avons donc toujours laissé au spectateur le choix de la voir ou de l’ignorer sans jamais tenter d’orienter sa pensée, conformément à l’idée que nous nous faisons de l’art et du divertissement.
Gaspard & Xavier, JUSTICE.
The video for STRESS was born from an idea: to offer a clip as inappropriate for TV as the track was for radio. Without the constraint to produce a TV-acceptable clip, we took all freedoms with this support. Not to shock freely: just to begin the debate, to cause questions, as the cinema, the literature or the contemporary art do it regularly. With this freedom come from the risks: to be badly interpreted, even instrumentalized. We in the beginning entrusted it only to one Web site, some that this too long clip, too violent one and also not very consensual could exist only apart from the usual diagrams. We were conscious that the clip was prone to controversy. We did not imagine a moment which the debate would go so far, that we would find ourselves having to justify ourselves on such serious subjects. But the massive popularity of this clip, in a few hours only, reminded us of the point that it is difficult to today control the destination of the images and the integrity of their matter. We proffer no legitimacy to speak in-depth about the societies' problems. This film is forever under consideration as a stigmatization of the suburbs, an incentive to violence or, especially, like a larval means to convey a racist message. This video will be censured forever. We began with the decision to refuse any televisual diffusion systematically in order to not impose it on anybody. We thus always let to the spectator the choice see it or be unaware of it without never trying to direct its thought, in accordance with the idea that we have art and entertainment.via
posted by carsonb at 1:15 PM on May 14, 2008 [2 favorites]
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posted by Leon-arto at 11:47 PM on May 3, 2008