10. Roam - Playing Fiction
Why? Alright so at first glance I'll admit this video looks like a Furry's Fantasy. But that's not the case. Delve in deeper to the lyrical content and you'll realize the song is about gussying up life so it's like a fairytale... hence the song title "playing fiction". So Roam had a bunch of people dress like storybook characters as they roam (heh) through the city initially being weirded out but eventually coming to terms with it and joining in for the final act.
9. Courage My Love - Need Someone
Why? Sometime simplicity is all you need for a good video. This one almost didn't make the cut as I went back and forth but upon re-watching it months later I realized not only does this deserve a spot, but it's not just sneaking in at spot #10 either. The band acts there way through all the emotions with a song about being Friendzoned but still wanting to look out for that person. It's sad, it's fun, it's heartful and passionate. It's also #9 on this list.
8. Yellowcard - A Place We Set Afire
Why? Yellowcard is so much more than a band to me. The band may have announced their departure with the aptly named Rest In Peace but A Place We Set Afire is the song and video where we officially say goodbye. The video represents fond memories for any of us lucky enough to see Yellowcard live. A fitting goodbye, even though I still wasn't quite ready for it.
7. Ok Go - Obsession
Why? I don't fault anyone for putting this higher on their list, as far as production goes this probably deserves to be #1 on my list. The problem I have is Ok Go does these crazy videos so often that they are more famous for them than they are for their music and with every new video they come up it lags behind their earlier creations. Kudos for them for still entertaining us but this one probably ranks in the bank half of their videography.
6. All Time Low - Good Times
Why? Unfortunately discrimination is still prevalent in our society. Luckily now more than ever people have an outlet for their voice to be heard. Here All Time Low provide the lyrics that'll make you feel better, it's not all bad, one day you'll be able to leave and be appreciated, and when you do, don't forget the Good Times. I can be describing the song or the video here as they go hand in hand. In the video a middle eastern women is bullied and at the end on prom night she celebrates with her friends. It's a good time, and also a new beginning.
5. The Gospel Youth - Tired Eyes And Heavy Hearts
Why? The Gospel Youth released a few music videos this year but Tired Eyes is definitely their best. It's a sequel to their first single "Moods Like English Weather" which features a narrative similar to this with a man going through problems but also a performance piece from the band. Here, they ditched the performance piece and stuck with the narrative which also follows a man going through a tough time. At the end of the video he climbs a water tower, presumably to jump, just like in it's predecessor but when up there he runs into the man from Moods and both give each other strength. It's a look at the difficulties people may face but at the end of the day someone is always there to talk to and listen to you. They also provide the Suicide Hotline so anyone watching knows exactly where they can find an ear.
4. Fall Out Boy - Champion
Why? Fall Out Boy has made some really cool videos in the past, but it's been a while since they really had a good narrative to go along with the visuals. They knocked it out of the park with Champion though. It's a series of people using VR to pretend they are someone else. Some people want to be sexier, the sexy people want to be powerful, the powerful want to be rich and the rich want to be Pete Wentz. It's all connected!! Also ICU Jaden Smith.
3. Grayscale - Love Yourself
Why? So Grayscale is a pretty small band doing a cover of a Justin Bieber song, how the hell can they get ahead of bands like Fall Out Boy, Ok Go and All Time Low with a simple club performance piece? It's the message they get across. Justin was singing about Selina and her vanity. Grayscale took the song subject matter and turned it on it's head. They want everyone to truly love themselves, love their flaws, love their weakness', love their defects. The video was taken down shortly after going up (thanks Justin) but luckily went back up as the video spoke to me and was a joy to watch because of it.
2. The Summer Set - Jean Jacket
Why? I'm a huge movie fan so anything with a killer narrative catches my attention. The Summer Set went big for their last video from their last release (maybe ever?). I say maybe ever since the band is on hiatus so the singer can try out acting, something he should excel at given this video. Essentially the video is boy loves girl, girl gets kidnapped, boy has to save girl. But there are plenty of twists and turns along the way, including a surprise ending. The voiceover work (which usually annoys me in music videos) is surprisingly strong and the cinematography is top notch.
1. Run The Jewels - Legend Has It
Why? What Run The Jewels is doing for hip-hop is near unprecedented. What they are doing for the country IS unprecedented. El-P and Killer Mike make sure their voices are heard regardless of if they are trying to fix the country or smack down the corrupt leader of it. In the Legend Has It video they tackle the police and their racial profiling showing that all because someone acts a certain way doesn't make them criminals, often times it's the puppeteer pulling the strings behind the scenes that is. It's socially significant, it's well executed, it's my #1 video of 2017.
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