Guster's New Lightning Rod Music Video

Guster has just come out with another music video, folks! I watched it this morning and was a little mystified, to be honest. Chris VanGaalen, a singer/animator from Canada took on the project, and he did an admirable job. The animated sequences are really kinda trippy. It was like Guster on acid (I've heard it's better that way, but still). I'm not a big fan.

So, a couple of my observations on the music video (tell me if you agree):

1. This is the third Guster music video in 4 from the new album that doesn't feature the band. What is this trend all about? I'd like to see the band in my music videos, even if it is just for a second or two. This is a cool idea, but Guster needs a bit more creativity here. They're letting VanGaalen do all the work for them.

2. This video seemed a little less fitting for the song than the other GUOTS music videos. The digital-looking plush world really fit One Man Wrecking Machine, and Segway Scooter violence was rather funny for C'mon. This animation has a bit of the feel of the song, but it seems just a little too surreal.

3. What on earth is with some of the animation here? Who exactly was high? Guster or Chris VanGaalen? The scene with the naked guy swimming and turning into a frog and back at the end? The rapid transition of odd/distorted faces near the beginning? I liked the very beginning, with the mountain turning into a person of sorts. That had a bit of a Men in Black feel. I'm not so sure about the rest, though. I'm just confused.

Anyway, I've attached a YouTube embed of the video to this post. Enjoy. Let me know what you think, too. I'm interested to see if other Guster fans agree with me or not on this latest effort.

Satellite: The Astronaut's Remix

So, I thought I'd tell you about a great remix I discovered. Guster's newest hit Satellite (well, as Guster "hits" go) has been remixed to a really creative new beat. You can listen to it I'm a fan, and I thought you would probably be, too. Ya gotta love the here, if you haven't yet. It's also available through the traditional purchase locations, should you desire a download or single album. Give it a listen. I gotta be honest, I usually don't enjoy mixes because overactive DJ's take perfectly good songs and mix them beyond recognition, to where they barely resemble their original recording. This one is pretty good, though. Enjoy!

Satellite Music Video

Hey,
Sorry it's been a while since the last post...my Christmas has been just as busy as everyone else's, if not more so. Enough excuses though...back to Guster.

If you haven't seen this yet, you're in for a treat Guster's new Satellite music video is finally finished. I watched it tonight, and was blown away by some of the really cool things Guster's done in stop-motion animation for this album. The One Man Wrecking Machine Music Video featuring a pillow tearing his world apart was awesome. The Satellite video isn't quite as cute and funny, but it makes up for its lack ov humor with a dramatic increase in style. Adam Bizanski, an Israeli indie filmmaker, put the piece together for the band just recently. He's done stuff for Zero 7 and Wolf Parade, too, all in this really cool cinematic style, playing with different stop motion techniques.

Satellite has really worn on me as a song. I find that the layering is quite amazing, the lyrics are fantastic, and the melody is quite catchy. This video seems to capture the essence of what this song is all about, too, with its slightly melancholy tone and satellite-like movement in sound. The hint of regret in the idea that "maybe you will always be a little out of reach" tugged at my heartstrings just a little bit. I've known some girls like that.

Anyway, check out the new video. It's amazing. It has cutouts of the band. It SPINS! I've stuck a YouTube connection below for your convenience. Please comment--let everyone out there know what you think of thi latest music video effort. Enjoy!

Ganging Up on the Sun Review

I thought this blog post on the Mule News was quite interesting. It's good to hear that Guster gets some justly deserved attention from the critics for Ganging Up on the Sun. It really says something when a music critic chooses to put Guster in his CD on his own time--he hears it all.

Anyway, check it out, Gusterkids.

Guster Satellite Lyrics

Guster
Satellite

Shining like a work of art
Hanging on a wall of stars
Are you what I think you are?

You’re my satellite
You’re riding with me tonight
Passenger side, lighting the sky
Always the first star that I find
You’re my satellite

Elevator to the moon
Whistling our favorite tune
Trying to get a closer view

You’re my satellite
You’re riding with me tonight
Passenger side, lighting the sky
Always the first star that I find
You’re my satellite

Maybe you will always be
Just a little out of reach

You’re my satellite
You’re riding with me tonight
Passenger side, lighting the sky
Always the first start that I find
You’re my satellite
You’re my satellite

Notes:
Satellite is one of my favorite new Guster tunes, one that's seen a lot of time on my iPod recently. It's got the perfect melody, beat, and layering of sound to really pull in your attention and elicit some emotion. What a great song. Thanks to Off Base, On Target, a fun blog that posted these lyrics a little before me, for putting them up.

Guster Street Team

Do you like Guster music? Free Guster concert tickets? How about talking it up with your friends about Guster? Well, now's your chance to do all three, plus get a free download of the song Empire State in the process. I just joined the Guster Street Team, an informal group of fan promoters. As a member of the team, you post Guster posters to help the band advertise the shows (and I'm sure you can keep one for yourself), you can sell copies of the albums to your friends cheap, and you can receive free concert tickets in return for your services. I'm really excited about that one. They're probably pretty good seats, too, since you're getting them from the band.

I think the team is a great email list to sign up for--who knows, maybe something really cool will come of it for me. At the very least, I got the opportunity to download Empire State. Already have the new album, so it's nothing too exciting for me, but who knows...maybe one of you would like a free mp3. It's time for you to make a purchase, though--Ganging Up on the Sun is a great album! Anyway, I thought I'd pass these comments along. Click to Join the Guster Street Team.

Ganging Up on the Sun Review

Hey folks,

I just found a great litte review of Guster's new CD from a fellow fan. I thought I'd point you the way to check it out. It's a nice litte community we belong to as Guster fans. Funny how that happens when your band unfairly receives very little radio air time. Check out BJ's music blog on MySpace to read.