mentalblog.com comments:
It’s a little spooky :-), especially the end, though he still cracks me up. I don't see how this would fit with the mainstream of other non-Jewish music videos; it seems a little boring. Truth is I have not really seen a whole lot of music videos to tell.
Based on the music videos that I've seen, this one is lame'o. These days music videos are almost like short films with intricate plots and story lines.
Even in the jewish music scene I've scene more creative ideas for videos.
Heres 2 for example Wandering ramble
Boring? No way. This video is a top quality production and with his new producers and the music keeps getting better and better (this version is really polished). The chevrah video linked above is funny, but it's a pop spoof, nothing more. Mattisyau is a serious musician so his music speaks for itself. The video is just a way to get the song played on MTV (cuz that effects sales and distribution). Think about the White Stripes or other serious lo-fi groups, their videos are pretty low key- no huge stunts or sappy story lines. I think the animiation is a little sneaky though; it removes the in-your-face 'chassid-ness' of mattisyahu from MTV viewers. The whole image is not as jarring as it was earlier-- ot at least it's believable that the voice comes from the guy in front of you. That's a shame because a huge part of his appeal is the contradiction of chassid v. reggea star. The lyrics floating around the band is brilliant because, after all, his message and entire mission is in the words. The rasta accent makes the lyrics otherwise a little tough to make out, so they animation is great! I think the biggest weakness of this video is that last clip of that exchange (what the hell was that? a drug deal, lol?) between the teenage depresso and Mattisyahu. Whatever, a little cliche. But all in all, a great video!
Has anyone heard of this new guy, JewdaMacabee? I think he should collaborate with Mattisyahu, or at least work with the same crew so that he could make real music and get it out to the public. I'm not sure that people share my enthusiasm but I think this guy is the real deal. This song particular son isn't that hot, but he's got raw talent.
*This particular song
Personally, I am waiting to see a Satmar or Ger rapper. That would be MUCH more interesting!
Kara: You noted that "The whole image is not as jarring as it was earlier-- ot at least it's believable that the voice comes from the guy in front of you. That's a shame because a huge part of his appeal is the contradiction of chassid v. reggea star."
Check out http://www.mtv.com/music/#/music...hu/
videos.jhtml
Click and watch the "advance warning" clip. It seems Matisyahu is trying to change his direction slightly. He says "Most people hear about me and see that I'm religous. But I think the more people get into it, the less it becomes the "hassidid rapper" and the more it becomes "oh yeah, theres matisyahu and his music. something personla".
Anyone wanna speculate about where he's headed next?
As for the video; I think its very artsy and top quality stuff (its really unfair to compare it to that chevra video...). Agreed the ending is kinda wierd but it does have a nice feel-good feel to it.
And here's a clip that I dont know if anyone's see:
http://www.hadarhatorah.org/page...ages/
alumni.php
Go to the bottom of the page and there's a link to a video.
so TA- why you no like? please explain
kara:
The sign of a true talent is innovation. I am disappointed that he is riding the same song. I am disappointed that his new album is probably going to be a polished version of the previous two. I thought that his second album was a step backwards. His strength is in being raw and his polished version is dry and unappealing.
This explains my reaction to animation. Since when, in the age of rap songs, anybody cares about the words?
HRfan: on Satmar or Ger rappers?... Has Martin Davidson done a career change? Rechnitzer's Rejects were doing an orthodox Weird Al Yankevic type material 20 years ago. Their lyrics focused on US Jewish east-coast contemporary themes: BTs, Litvaks, Satmar, schnorrers...
I absolutley agree with your last comment Tzemach. Was thinking the same thing but couldn't quite articulate it.
Its the same thing with all talent: They either stick to the art side and end up going nowhere and becoming just a good memory (think Moshe Yess, Issac Biton...), or, they realise they need to make money and end up losing their soul so they can stay on top (I think Piamenta and Matisyahu are two recent examples)
It seems to be a cruel reality of life, either sell out or drop out.
but can they rap?
Matis is beat boxer, reggie and ocasional rapper. in that order.
I have what to blog about but I am tired and soaked in thinking.
It's true that to me and you the constant rehash is getting a little dull, but to most people, this is their first exposure to Mattisyahu. Signing on with Sony has given him a huge new fan base, so it's natural that he would rerecord everything with better professionals so as to put his best foot forward. You think the first album was raw and edgy- I'd agree but I don't see it as a positive. His early stuff had a lot of flaws--even a die hard fan should be able to admit to that. I remember all the rumors in the days before the 1st album was released that Mattisyahu wanted it out but his producers highly disapproved and thought it wasn't good enough to go yet. "Live at Stubs" was necessary because his current work was so much better than the first album- it was like he went back into the studio to rerecord the same album with improvements. But that was all within the limits of jDub. Sony is the opportunity of a lifetime. Why shouldn't he use their resources, i.e. better producers, state of the art studio equipment..., to get better? That being said, I agree that it's time that he move on and crank out some new material. "Youth" is dated for release in March 2006. I think that's fair. The last two years he's been performing allot live, just getting the brand 'Mattisyahu' out there, and I guess defining who he is. Now he's ready for the big game. You first have to define a presence before you can innovate. But we can expect that from him in the near future, I'm sure.
Since when, in the age of rap songs, anybody cares about the words? :: Isn't that exactly what rap is- words? Without the words there is nothing to the rap. The point is that Mattisyahu does not rap. He sings reggae (and does beat box). Reggae lyrics have always carried a heavy message. Bob Marley was a poet--his songs are of love and spirituality and politics (all mixed in with a lot of marijuana). Without the lyrics his music is incomplete. This can't be said of rock or pop were instrumentation plays a huge role. Reggae is really about the beat and the message (so you're right that it's not that different from rap). Mattisyahu in particular is keen on getting his uplifting, spiritual message out to the Godless youth of America. It's questionable whether his music would fall flat without the words, but his mission certainly would. That's why I find the textual animation so clever-his spiritual message is in your face whether you're willing to take it or not.
TA- I think it's 'soaked in thought'.
P.S. Has anyone checked out jewdaMacabee? No comments? Am I the only one who thinks he's the next big thing?
jewdaMacabee is junk :-:
and the second album was, as I said, a step backwards. It's dry and dull. I don't listen to it.
Me thinks JewdaMacabee is not going for the big time and wouldn't make it if he did.
Having said that, I watched his video and there's something to it. Cant put my finger on it but its got some kind of X factor.
There is a great need to get Jewish music out of the the kintergarden. More original Jewish music is a sure fire way to connect with more Jewish souls. A genuine Jewish music festival that measured success in innovation instead imitation would provide materal assistance to the Baal Shem Tov's mission. Personally I find klezmir to hit the spot but the goal is what ever it takes...
Matisyahu's strength I think is in that he expresses himself and articulates deep feelings scarcely heard in the generic pc culture of white suburban (wannabe urban) america. This is an unusual phenomenon in both the jewish and nonjewish music world. However I take issue with branding him "a serious musician". The musical sophistication and depth that is implied by the term musician is definitely a misnomer (he's not only not "serious" but I think its a stretch to call him a musician at all).
i heard he has also become a mashpia (i thought that was my job)
What an upsetting coincidence. Tonight I listened to an advanced copy of Youth and all I can say is I'm terribly disappointed. There is no innovation-even worse, Mattisyahu has become run of the mill, pop-rock, unoriginal and uninspired. His new album sounds exactly like the dozens and dozens of other bands that put out formula music, have possibly one or two hits but are very quickly forgotten. The reggea vibe is gone, the lyrics are like preschool poetry, and his voice is totally washed out. WHAT HAPPENED? Lame guitars, mellow vocals, hardly any rasta rythm (not even a ska sound), and also alot less Jewish. The jewishness is more like spirituality in the form of feel-good, reach higher lyrics. I don't know if anyone from Mattisyahu's camp scouts the net for feedback, but if someone is reading this: Don't release YOUTH. It's terrible. In my previous post I wrote with confidence that Mattisyahu's next release will be innovative and even better than his previous work--I could not have been more wrong (and as a fan I'm devastated). I still believe he can do better.
I have to agree that I am disapointed, though not with Youth which I have not yet heard, but with the video clip. For me a sanitised and dumbed down matisyahu might just make it as a flash in the pan novelty clip but he is not going to break down barriers with a video that looks like the Jewish version of the Gorilaz.
LIke you I believe he can do better and like you I hope he (and more importantly his publicists) are listening to the Jewish music fans who must form the basis of his fan club. Sopping to the fickle crowd might work best in the short term, to turn a fast buck, but that wil not for greatness make.
A disapointed shaigetz
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