M. Ward has seemed on the verge of a major breakthrough for a while now.
In the past couple years, the laid back singer opened for Norah Jones, sang with Neko Case and started a side project with actress Zooey Deschanel. At the very least, the guy keeps good company.
His most recent album, “Hold Time,” is worth picking up. If you have any doubts, just check out his cover of “Rave On” below, taken from the February release.
M. Ward – “Rave On” – Video
Mike Please directed this odd animated clip for a cover of “Rave On,” the song popularized by Buddy Holly. Ward slows the sucker down and, with some backing vocals from his She &Him partner, Zooey Deschanel, gives the whole thing a dreamy vibe.
100 dancers, apparently – “Single Ladies” – Commercial shoot/ flash-dance
I feel like I should love this video as much as loved the Belgian clip I posted last week. But I don’t. Sure, good song, good dancing — all that’s good. And both were ultimately put together by advertisers; the Belgian one was a reality TV ad, while this was organized by Trident gum. Somehow, this clip feels more commercial, though — the fact that the dancers are all in costume, clearly waiting for someone to hit play on a recent hit, drains it of the spotaneity that the best of these flash-dances deliver. Oh well.
Billy Corgan – “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” excerpt – Commercial
And speaking of ads: Billy Corgan has had a weird fondness for wrestling. Here, he adapts the lyrics to one of his bigger hits into a spoken word set-up for a cage match. All right then.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
