A couple years ago at “the bins” I got my dirty little hands on a stack of Rock Video Monthly: Alternative Releases vhs tapes from 1994. They were put out by Warner Music and I assume were meant for college tv stations and the like. I’ve occasionally put them on mute during parties and watched one or two on those nights when you’re really scraping for stoner entertainment, but I’ve never sat down and really paid attention to each one of them.
So, over the next few…however long it takes me, I’ll be sitting down and watching each video of each tape chronologically, offering my thoughts. If there’s a video on youtube, I’ll link to it so you can share the experience. This oughta be good. March ‘94 after the jump.
Bjork - “big time sensuality“ from debut on Elektra
I’m indifferent to Bjork, I guess. Some of her stuff is good but some is downright unlistenable. Didn’t someone famous direct this? She’s rocking those awful little all-over-the-head buns way before Gwen Stefani did like 4 years later. The beat’s a little nineties-cheezy and I don’t like her extreme close-ups or the creepy shaking around business. What a nut.
Tori Amos - “god” from under the pink (Atlantic)
Oh! I like this song! I’ve never heard this whole album but this is a rock radio favorite from my early adolescence. Images of the sacred and profane juxtaposed. The junkie and the orthodox Jew both tying their arms is pretty heavy. Tori, get that rat off your face!
Big Head Todd and the Monsters - “it’s alright“ from sister sweetly (Giant)
Oddly enough, I’ve been hanging posters for this band over the past couple of weeks. Apparently they are back on the face of the earth and playing the Crystal Ballroom soon. Turns out I didn’t know what they sounded like, which is sort of a country, Jack Johnson meets Tim Fite kind of easy listening guitar rock. The dude in the back there appears to be playing not a stand-up bass but a regular, hold-up kind of bass on a stand. What a douche. Fast forward.
The Connells - “‘74-’75“ from ring (TVT)
I’ve never heard of this one. TVT puts out good stuff nowadays so we shall see. This video appears to be a series of 1974 yearbook photos and then the same people 20 years later. They have certainly not aged as well as the people on that reality show on TV Land. Nice mullet, wheelchair guy. This song sucks. Quit whining about high school dude, get over it.
Sheryl Crow - “leaving las vegas“ from tuesday night music club (A&M)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. We know this one. I even knew this one at the time, when I was in the 5th grade. A bunch of Vegas cliches in the desert shot with a bunch of video cliches. While watching this I had a revelation: Sheryl Crow was like the cross (compromise?) in terms of looks, sound, and “edginess” between Amy Grant and Melissa Etheridge. Snore.
Depeche Mode - “one caress“ from songs of faith and devotion (Sire/Reprise)
Kind of an especially wussy Depeche Mode song. A really dark video. Black clothed religious looking people trapsing through the forest to burn someone at the stake or something. Martin Gore is SUPER creepy looking in that hat. Whoa, I really want to make fun of this video but it’s also kind of scaring me.
Kristin Hersh - “your ghost” from hips and makers (Sire/Reprise)
This is the third black and white video in a row. Maybe I’ll keep a running tally through all the videos of that. Just when I’m wondering how the hell this came to be a video because it’s pretty boring and doesn’t seem all that marketable, even for ‘94….here comes Michael Stipe. Whoopity shit. That actually makes it worse for me. This wouldn’t have made it today, even if Tanya Donnelly is her step-sister. I mean…she’s not even cute.
I Mother Earth - “not quite sonic“ from dig (Capitol)
First goatees and long hair of the series. Not quite metal. Not quite grunge. Not quite good. I think this would be the Linkin Park or 1994 only…not popular so more like ripping off the Linkin Park of 1994? I dunno. The video fits accordingly and that’s about all I have to say about that.
The Ocean Blue - “don’t believe everything you hear“ from beneath the rhythm and sound (Sire/Reprise)
OMG. I just saw an MGMT video that pretty much rips this off. This band is actually pretty comparable in that pop-rock kind of way. You totally went to college with these guys. Nineties hippy-happy shit with daisies and stuff like that De La Soul album. I dig it.
Possum Dixon - “watch the girl destroy me“ from possum dixon (Interscope)
What the fuck kind of name for a band is that? Oh, well. I actually like this. Skinny smart boys in collared shirts and thick glasses is always a classic. Cuuuuute. Those first few bands might still be around but if you were listening to these last two bands instead in 1994, you’re probably still pretty cool. This is the video I’d embed if Universal hadn’t disabled that, corporate dicks.
4 Comments »
i must be pretty cool then, because i was all about the ocean blue in the early 90’s. and i liked possum dixon too - i wonder what happened to them.
this is a great idea for a column, by the way. go leah.
You ARE still pretty cool Joie….
I thought all you um…more mature scc readers and writers would appreciate this. I was 10 when these came out…..
ha! i have a few of these tapes and a few months ago my boyfriend and i spent a night laughing our asses off watching them.
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Comment by JoshD — March 24, 2008 @ 8:45 am
Those tapes were available for consumer purchase. I remember getting a couple through direct mail at the time.
Possum Dixon were mighty good.