ER: Three Tracks

Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum

Arctic Monkeys - Why’d You Only Ever Call Me When You’re High (2013)

 

-    The band are present in the opening sequence before the video turns to focus on Alex Turner, the lead singer as he is the face of the band, although he is simultaneously absent through the use of effects, such as ghosting, connoting that he is on drugs.

-    The band are shown as ordinary and extraordinary for the same reason.

-    They are represented as ‘stars’ by the generic stereotypes shown through costume and character blocking such as leather jackets connoting rebellion and a ‘rock star image’, and an arrogant exterior connoting anger and a disregard for social values. Drugs is the main focus of the music video which also has a long running connection with the ‘star image’ and sex is another feature included.

-    Genre characteristics are represented through costume as leather jackets are very generic of rock culture and through the focus on drugs in the video.

-    The relationship between lyrics and visuals is clearly illustrative as both focus on the effects of drugs.

-    The relationship between music and visuals is amplified because its more of a creative interpretation instead of having a clear connection.

-    The demands of the record label are shown through Alex Turner being the protagonist as he is the face and the selling point of the Arctic Monkeys.

-    Aural motifs are used as the music stops in many Arctic Monkeys videos and diegetic sound is included to involve a narrative.

-    Visual motifs are shown through costume, using Alex Turner’s signature look of slicked back hair and a leather jacket.

-    The notion of looking is shown through voyeurism as the camera follows Alex Turner all the way through the music video, however he does not break the fourth wall by looking into the camera.
 

Arctic Monkeys - Arabella (2014)

 

-    The band are present in this video but also absent as they do not break the fourth wall by looking into the camera.

-    They are represented as being extraordinary by performing unlike in ‘Why’d you only call me when you’re high’ where they are shown as ordinary people.

-    The video is made in black and white, leading audiences to strive to complete the image through continued consumption.

-    They are represented as ‘stars’ by the generic stereotypes shown through costume and character blocking such as leather jackets connoting rebellion and a ‘rock star image’, and an arrogant exterior connoting anger and a disregard for social values.

-    The band are shown as performers, a generic characteristic of their genre.

-    The relationship between lyrics and visuals is clearly illustrative, for example the girl in the video is wearing a cheetah print coat, a line mentioned in the song.

-    The relationship between music and visuals is illustrative as well as the cuts match up with the beat and rhythm.

-    The demands of the record label are shown through close ups of Alex Turner as he is the face and the selling point of the Arctic Monkeys.

-    Aural motifs are used as the music stops in many Arctic Monkeys videos and diegetic sound is included to involve a narrative.

-    Visual motifs are shown through costume, using Alex Turner’s signature look of slicked back hair and a leather jacket.

-    The notion of looking is shown through fetishism as it focuses on a collection of women viewed in a sexual way.

 

Blur - Parklife (1994)

 

-    Lead singer of Blur, Damon Albarn features in the video alongside famous actor, Phil Daniels who also narrated the video. This attracts a larger audience by having a well known celebrity involved in it.

-    The relationship between lyrics and visuals is illustrative, for example there are shots of street signs called ‘Parklife’.

-    The relationship between music and visuals is illustrative as well as the cuts match up with the beat and rhythm.

-    The demands of the record label are shown through close ups of Damon Albarn as he is the face and the selling point of Blur.

-    Aural motifs are the common, traditional, British accent made clear through singing.

-    Notion of looking is shown through voyeurism as the camera follows Damon Albarn and Phil Daniels.

-    The fourth wall is broken throughout the video as Damon Albarn looks into the camera, this is first person mode of address.