People often like to read too much into visual art, especially the abstract type. In order to say something smart and rare, people even end up seeing things that the original artist never intended, as it quietly assures them of access to a rare wavelength. Of course, artists too often deliberately create absurd art and leave it open to interpretation, allowing viewers to let their imaginations run crazy riots.
The work I am reviewing has been created by two highly talented individuals -- Radiohead's Thom Yorke, and film director, Paul Thomas Anderson. The work is a music video of a 3-piece compilation from Thom Yorke's solo album, Anima, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Both are remarkable artists in their own fields, and it is obvious that everyone would expect a superlative artwork every time they move a finger. Unfortunately, I didn't find that to be the case here. I don't see anything special. It's easy to tell that visuals have been filmed by a pro and are thus nice to look at, but they are neither mind-bending nor visceral, as has been claimed by drooling critics, almost all of whom fall into the category of people discussed in the first paragraph. Even the composition by Yorke is forgettable. All the sonic landscaping that this guy does with his band, Radiohead, is altogether missing here.
The entire visual imagery in the video is basically an attempt to depict, by the way of dance moves, the dreary existence most urban dwellers endure, marred by cutthroat competition for materials around them and cloying moralities that turn into regrets when it's too late in life. At least that's what I understood. It's a shame that both gentlemen picked such a beaten-up theme and put out a mediocre product.
Actually, flogging a piece of art is not fair, because art is neither good or bad, nor logical or methodical. Art is what each person perceives it to be. However, this is my attempt to explain the basis for my disliking.
I am a huge fan of both Yorke/Radiohead and PTA, but I refuse to be compelled to like this just because popular names are associated with it. It is just a one-time watch thing. One-time watch, only to see what the bloody brouhaha is all about. It is neither boring nor radically innovative, but just watchable...
...and forgettable.
The work I am reviewing has been created by two highly talented individuals -- Radiohead's Thom Yorke, and film director, Paul Thomas Anderson. The work is a music video of a 3-piece compilation from Thom Yorke's solo album, Anima, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. Both are remarkable artists in their own fields, and it is obvious that everyone would expect a superlative artwork every time they move a finger. Unfortunately, I didn't find that to be the case here. I don't see anything special. It's easy to tell that visuals have been filmed by a pro and are thus nice to look at, but they are neither mind-bending nor visceral, as has been claimed by drooling critics, almost all of whom fall into the category of people discussed in the first paragraph. Even the composition by Yorke is forgettable. All the sonic landscaping that this guy does with his band, Radiohead, is altogether missing here.
The entire visual imagery in the video is basically an attempt to depict, by the way of dance moves, the dreary existence most urban dwellers endure, marred by cutthroat competition for materials around them and cloying moralities that turn into regrets when it's too late in life. At least that's what I understood. It's a shame that both gentlemen picked such a beaten-up theme and put out a mediocre product.
Actually, flogging a piece of art is not fair, because art is neither good or bad, nor logical or methodical. Art is what each person perceives it to be. However, this is my attempt to explain the basis for my disliking.
I am a huge fan of both Yorke/Radiohead and PTA, but I refuse to be compelled to like this just because popular names are associated with it. It is just a one-time watch thing. One-time watch, only to see what the bloody brouhaha is all about. It is neither boring nor radically innovative, but just watchable...
...and forgettable.