Thursday, August 6, 2009
Moving Pictures Crash Test Dummies: The 'Best' in D.I.Y. YouTube Crooning [Oh the Humility]
Posted by Adam Gold on Thu, Aug 6, 2009 at 9:44 AM
I've said time and time again that when it comes to bad music, I'm a glutton for punishment. Throughout my lifelong journey as a pop music enthusiast I've come to find that I have a unique threshold for not only awful songs, but awful performances as well. I don't just indulge in bad art for the sake of masochism though--it's basically a you-can't-have-light-without-dark mentality. No music has ever sounded as good to me as the first song I heard after subjecting myself to the Gathering of the Juggalos infomercial that D. Piddy posted last week. What song was it? I don't even remember, it was some sort of innocuous indie-rock what-have-you, but hearing it in the context of anything Psychopathic made for a more euphoric experience than the first time I heard "Eleanor Rigby."
I know I'm not alone in my appreciation of artistic failure. There are others out there, hiding in the shadows. Others who, like me, want to cultivate ears of steel. The advent of YouTube has revolutionized both the volume and velocity with which one can consume unmitigated musical atrocities. I'd go as far as to say that it's even sparked a covers sub-genre in the proliferation of D.I.Y. videos of people singing their favorite songs. At this point, the site has an endless supply of these videos. However, the ocean of mindless entertainment that is YouTube is a daunting one to chum. It is for this reason I introduce a new series called "Oh the Humility." I will post hilariously bad videos of unsuspecting YouTube users singing songs that most of us can agree are utterly unavailing. I then ask you to vote on which video you think is best, and by best I mean funniest.
The song for this inaugural installment is the Crash Test Dummies classic "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm." Check out the rendition posted above and then the ones posted after the jump. Comment on which you most "enjoyed." Your tolerance will be built up in no time. If this is new to you then just give each video 30 seconds--that's usually enough to "get it." If you wanna hear something truly unique, try playing all the videos simultaneously. The result is beyond what free-jazz listeners would call "out."
Comments (11)
Showing 1-11 of 11
my vote goes to the a capella group. it obviously took the most time to prepare, therefore it is the biggest waste of time and that is really funny. when the beatboxing kicked in, i knew the competition was over.
second place goes to uk jeff for his shitty midi tracks, expressive dance moves, and slightly muted enthusiasm.
good idea, gold.
like
dislike
The last one. All the way. Possibly drunk, shirtless Paul Bunyan on a night off.
Speaking of outsider music, I just booked one of the
kings of outsider folk, none other than the legendary
JANDEK. Elusive but prolific for over 25 years, he came of
hiding with a couple of select live performances in the UK
and SXSW. Check him out, The Basement Friday Oct 30.
Will be a very rare treat. (and probably difficult to listen
to.)
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