"Hurricane" Video Runs 20 Minutes Long - But Should It?

30 Seconds to Mars informed MTV News yesterday that the "Hurricane" video runs about 20 minutes long.

And I don't like it.

The video will "explore sexuality and violence" for 20 minutes? I know that 30STM projects a certain amount of darkness in their music, particularly on their latest album. I can handle that. But I have a problem when you make a music video explicitly ABOUT sexuality and violence -- particularly when the lyrics have little to nothing to do with sex. Unless it's twisted, macabre sex. Then I REALLY have a problem with it.

If it were your typical music video, say 4-6 minutes long, it might not be such a big deal. "Oh look," I'd say. "One more thing about sex and violence in an already saturated industry. I wish 30 Seconds to Mars wasn't in on that trend like everyone else."

But no. This video is an effort at an art form. This is indie film with funding. Echelon already know that 30STM is capable of really beautiful work, especially in their videos. ("Kings and Queens" comes to mind.) How could it possibly be okay for them to use that talent as proponents for violence and sexuality?

Art criticism has two components: whether or not it meets its goal, and whether or not that goal was worth meeting. 30STM is CERTAINLY able to accomplish their creative goals. I don't doubt that for a second. I am, however, questioning the value of the goals for which they reach.

The buzz about the album as been it's got this epic, optimistic feel, and that's what I love about it. I just hope that "Hurricane" is somehow in keeping with that, though I'm not sure how it will be. How do you make the combination of sex and violence into an uplifting, valuable 20 minute message?

You make me nervous, 30 Seconds to Mars. And I wish you wouldn't.

Latest Anberlin album for $7.99

Anberlin's latest album, Dark is the Way, Light is the Place is on iTunes for just $7.99 right now.

As I'm sitting here listening to clips, Linkin Park's most recent album, with its epic sound of sweeping darkness, comes to mind. The character of Stephen's vocals is very different from Chester's, of course. Stephen whines (beautifully, I might add.) Chester has a more angry ache.

The thing is, I think the difference in vocals also reflects the difference in content. LP's latest is all about the horrors of war; to contrast, Anberlin's music is still about "the internal anguish of dysfunctional relationships and loneliness". (Quoted from an engaging article on LP from Noisecreep…read it; apparently even Mike thought the questions were insightful. )

Frankly, I think Anberlin's quality suffers a little from the narrowness of their scope. We can't blame it on their respective ages -- as far as I can tell, the members of both LP and Anberlin are all in their early 30's. So why is Anberlin keeping politics, theme, and meaning out of their music, if they’re old enough to care now?

Please don't misunderstand me. I certainly think there's a place for songs about romantic heartbreak and success, and Anberlin is BRILLIANT at that. I can think of a lot of reasons to stick with what they’ve been doing. Catering to younger audiences, avoiding controversy, and the obvious “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” concept.

But after 5 CDs of this stuff, I'd like to see Anberlin try more universal themes.

To do them justice, “We Owe This to Ourselves” addresses a wider meaning: “If every man became a king / we could do more than just dream / Well I feel, I feel, the change is here”. According to the press release, “This … speaks not only to Anberlin’s view of romantic love, but also to the band’s belief that we’re accountable for our relationship with the world at large.” It’s so generic, though. Find an issue and pick a side, gentleman! Take chances! Make mistakes! Get messy!

Dark is the Way just doesn't seem to offer anything new. It does the same things well that Anberlin has already done. Don't they have anything to prove?

Ooooooh...what if Anberlin made a concept album? Please, universe, love me that much.

Counting Crows' recent twitter spam

Counting Crows' Adam Duritz has averaged a tweet every 10 minutes this weekend. (Only a slight exaggeration.) Most of the tweets center on Supernatural...and a lot of other really, really random junk.

You know, I'm willing to cut a lot of slack for people with mental illnesses. At the same time, I've had great experiences with other bands' use of social media. (Thank you, Plain White T's.) Adam filled my twitter feed with nonsense, and I was annoyed.

So, at about 9 tonight, I posted the following:

@countingcrows I love your music but your twitter feed just doesn't seem to be very useful. How about new music, tour updates, news?

It simply expresses my chagrined curiosity, right? So glad I worded it that way, because Adam RESPONDED.

Answering a question: my Twitter's not just for tour schedules & basic info. It's just for whatever nonsense passes through my twisted head.

Might not always be "useful" for you but it seems to do some good for me so I like it. Anyway, it's a great view inside a nutbag's noggin.

That said, we went on tour this summer. I can list the cities for you. More info? I'm having eggs for b'fast tmw, fried sunny side up.

Don't think I've gone all "regular guy" tho. They're celebrity eggs from the "brain on drugs" commercials. Even my eggs are 100% Hollywood.

I'll admit it. I'm willing to forgive a lot of celebrities who acknowledge my existence.

But seriously, Adam...if you need someone to talk to that badly, call me! Besides, I'm a writer; I'll summarize the experience for my fellow devoted fans, and you can stop rejoicing that your twitter feed is bleeding followers.

...Did I mention I make a mean fried egg?