Are You the Walrus?

There is part of me, hidden under layers, that heavily lauds any attempt at skinny white boys doing good, clean hip-hop. Enjoy this dated piece of Christian hip-hop history:

Swept Me Away

I know a couple who had the Avett Brothers' song "Swept Me Away" as their first dance. I think it is a novel idea. What are the criteria for deciding what your first dance song should be?

It seems to me that it should be one that both of you like, but also one that is not just popular, but endearing and long lasting. Not that it has to be "timeless," but it ought to be one that you will always have around and will, say, teach to your children:



Your thoughts?

Francis Chan FTW

Here's an excellent video of a conversation between Mark Driscoll, Joshua Harris, and Francis Chan, on Chan's recent decision to leave his head pastor position at Cornerstone.

Check out Driscoll's question at 8:30...and Chan's response to it. So good:

What's Next for Francis Chan? A Conversation with Mark Driscoll and Joshua Harris from Ben Peays on Vimeo.

Hipsters

Seems like everyone these days are hating on hipsters. Not that I don't approve. Here's one of the better videos. "For the love of M. Ward!"



[Tip o' the Hat to Abraham Piper]

Yet Another Video

I find it just a tad sad (rhyme FTW) that when I can't think of something to say on this blog, I just post a video. Here's a video:

Gravité from Renaud Hallée on Vimeo.

[Tip o' the Hat to Tripp Crosby]

Nashville Flood

While I have been gone for a while, I have not been completely out of the loop. I was quite surprised to hear about the flooding in Nashville, maybe because I never associated Nashville with anything but music and art.

Anyhow, here is an excellent video by Michael Deppisch depicting the flood Nashville has been experiencing over the month of May:



[Tip o' the Hat to Rachel Middleton]

"Float On"--Modest Mouse

While I don't really listen to them a whole lot, and this was an overplayed hit, I still like this song by Modest Mouse. Part of that is due to the music video. It isn't really "pretty" or necessarily analogous to the song, but I can appreciate it artistically and from an purely entertaining perspective.

Also, I think the message is a good one. Especially at this time, because by the time this is posted I will have be running on substantially less than the necessary amount of sleep recommended for 21-year-old males.

Seriously, though--why do we stress so much about school, relationships, work, etc. We are all going to float on. Things are temporary and life is too. James 4:14 says our list is "a mist," and we are supposed to live as sojourners in this world, we are not of this world.

While I don't think Modest Mouse is looking at it from that point of view, you can still revel in the truth of the matter.

What A Wonderful World

You've probably heard that idyllic song, the theme for so many closing and opening movie scenes, when all is warm and fuzzy. But I must put the question to you, have you ever thought the world was so wonderful that you wanted to scream the song with a nice dash of distorted guitar and blast beat in the background?

Yeah, me neither.

But apparently someone did, and they decided Louis Armstrong should still take the reins on his classic:



[Tip o' the hat to Abraham Piper]

Remember Hanson?

I didn't, at least, I tried to forget about it. All those times getting called "Hanson" in middle school because I grew my long, golden locks out gave me a perhaps irrational hate of the band.

I guess I had always assumed that they sucked, but this is something I would actually buy:


Thinking 'Bout Somethin'

HANSON | MySpace Music Videos

Do you remember Hanson? What are your thoughts on this song, at face-value?

[Tip o' the Hat to Tyler Stanton]

Generic Broadcast

Despite it's obvious unamericanity, I kinda like the BBC:

[be ye here warned, there be profanity]

Julian Smith

In the list of things that make me laugh, Julian Smith is definitely a prominent member. Here's a couple of samples:



and



He has also done a Jeep commercial that you may have seen, the popular "25 Things I Hate About Facebook" video, in addition to some work with Rhett & Link, another entry on my Laugh List.

Unconventional Advertising

Due to unforeseen and difficult, stressful circumstances my posting may be spotty for a while. Here's one I dragged from the depths:

This video is way old, as in, I've had the draft for this post in my posts list for at least four to five months. So long, in fact, that I don't really remember the justification behind it, but perhaps those of you in advertising will enjoy this?

I know I would be cuss well more inclined to buying something if this advertisement flew by.



Is this an effective advertising technique?

[Tip O' the Hat to Brad Ruggles]

What Teachers Make

You must have heard that classic line, reiterated by Jack Black in School of Rock: "Those that can't do, teach. (and those that can't teach, teach Gym)" As someone who is close to a number of people in the education business, it may be fun to laugh at sometimes, but what do we really think about it?

Here is a slam poem (another reason I like this) by Taylor Mali that explains, very well, what teachers make. (I should warn you though--there's a touch o' the language at the very end of the video.) [Poem's full text is here if you want to read along.]



[Tip o' the hat to my friends Eddie and Julianna]

Another Ok Go Video

Ok Go has done it again. How many music videos are they going to make in one take? It seems to me that this may have become their staple and shining mark, surpassing even the love of their music.

Speaking from someone who does not have any of their music, but highly enjoys their music videos, this seems to be the case. Maybe I should pick 'em up, though?



Hat Tip to Tyler Stanton and Abraham Piper.

Stop Animation FTW

It makes me sad that in the 1+ year I have been in possession of this blog (by Title, at least) I have yet to share with you the wonderfulness that is Rhett and Link.

In this particular video we have a wonderful display of high quality comedy juxtaposed with immaculate stop animation, a particular form of artistry of which I am very fond. [ponder with me, for a moment, the various implications the previous sentence would have if I had typed "found" instead of "fond," an action that almost happened]

Also, the t-shirts are up for grabs at their website, if you want one of the actual t-shirts from the actual video. Cheers.

Dug Down Deep Video

I know I have mentioned Josh Harris' new book Dug Down Deep several times, and seems a little hypocritical that I haven't obtained and read it yet, but whatever.

Before the book came out, Josh had a short-film contest about the book, and this is one of the finalists. I like it as an artistic piece and because of what it is saying, a passage from the introduction that struck me before. Enjoy, and if you like it a lot, go vote for it on the website.

Fulfillment In Jesus Is A Myth

That's right, I said it. You will never be fulfilled by Jesus here on earth. If want to hear the explanation to this seemingly heretical statement, you are going to have to watch this video:



From what I understand, this is a major gist of Donald Miller's new book A Million Miles In A Thousand Years. I want to read it, bad. And I agree.

Jesus is the climax of my life, but not while I am here on earth. Not until glory. If he is the climax in this life, then what's with all this troublesome and ridiculous and difficult crap I have to deal with!?! That is no falling action. That's a crappy denouement. And God doesn't do crappy.

Little Boy Blue--Creepy Edition

In honor of the resumption of Lost for it's final season (thank you J.J. for sticking to a set storyline) I thought it would be a good idea to share this video. Michael Emerson (Ben on Lost) demonstrates the power of voice rather than words in changing the mood of a scene. This is so creepy.

Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy

While the controversy is over, and Conan is leaving, and we'll have to wait 8 months to see him again (it's a stipulation in the departure contract), you can at least enjoy this little bit with comedian Louis CK:



I must say I wholeheartedly agree. Even though I get caught up in things like this sometimes, I think it would be awesome if we could shock ourselves out of this type of attitude.

Top 25 Pop Songs of 2009: Mash-Up

I'm pretty sure I've said it before--if it's well done, it will at least get a hat tip from me. Such is this video. I am not a big fan of a lot of the songs in this mash up, and as a concessions there's a few parts of the video itself I would prefer to go without seeing. But it is well done. And I think it's a good way to round out this music video week. Enjoy: