Song (and Video) For the Moment
“Grapevine Fires” by Death Cab for Cutie
This is a track from their recent album, Narrow Stairs. I enjoyed the song (and the album) very much, but it didn’t really “stick” with me (like some others did).
After watching this incredible video by Walter Robot, however, that’s changed.
I’m not likely to forget the song anytime soon — and, when I hear it now, it’ll pack a bigger wallop than it did before. Rarely have I seen such a great marriage between music and video. The video pull on the tune’s themes of tragedy and hope — while managing to stand on its own, telling its own story. It masterfully walks a very difficult line, trying reaching the emotional place that a song can take you without getting too heavy-handed or obvious (which, in my opinion, is the usual result of a video for an emotional song). Part of it is the animation — deceptively simple, it just shines throughout the piece. Really allows you to connect with it. While the small touches — from the way the camera follows the bike or the spray of the hose — take it to another level entirely. The result is beautiful, touching, and sad.
Two pieces of art melding together to create something new, something greater than its parts. Quite remarkable.
(And, it might have just taken over my “Most Favorite Video” spot from “Coffee and TV” — which gives off an entirely different feeling).
I highly suggest you take a few minutes and check it out.
