Most music video compilations are best thought of as reference items — nice to own for completists, but how often are you really going to sit through that entire DVD? One huge exception to this rule: clips directed by French auteur Michel Gondry. I can’t count how many hours I’ve spent watching and re-watching the Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind director’s supremely trippy 2003 The Work of Michel Gondry DVD. The man is a master. So I’m beyond pleased that Gondry is releasing another DVD next week with even more of his awesome music-video work.
My personal favorite Gondry videos are probably on that first compilation. ("Let Forever Be"! "Come Into My World"!! Sorry, my brain is exploding even thinking about that DVD.) But there are some truly great ones on the new compilation, too. You’ve got Radiohead’s "Knives Out," which I can’t embed here but which nonetheless rocks (though Thom Yorke reportedly disagrees?); the White Stripes’ "The Denial Twist," below; Paul McCartney’s "Dance Tonight," Bjork’s "Declare Independence," and Beck’s "Cellphone’s Dead," all after the jump; and tons more. So let’s hear it: What’s your favorite out of all Gondry’s videos? And will you be buying this DVD?
The White Stripes, "The Denial Twist"
Paul McCartney, "Dance Tonight"
Bjork, "Declare Independence"
Beck, "Cellphone’s Dead"
More Michel Gondry:
Michel Gondry picks his 25 favorite music videos
EW Q&A: Michel Gondry on his work with the White Stripes
Movie review: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
More from EW’s Music Mix:
Best indie-rock albums of all time: Battle of the lists!
The Shins’ new song: Bring on the next album already!
Music Mix Exclusive premiere: Metric’s new video, "Help I’m Alive"
Grizzly Bear’s ‘Cheerleader’: Exclusive new track
Cibo Matto’s “Sugar Water” video still blows my mind. Every time I think I’ve figured out how Michel Gondry made it, I just get more confused. I will definitely be picking up the new DVD.
Kylie Minogue – Come Into My World
Hands down.
Bjork’s Bachelorette is not only Gondry’s best video, but it’s probably the greatest music video ever. Absolutely mesmerizing, and a perfect match for the song.
My favorites are probably Everlong by the Foo Fighters or The Denial Twist by The White Stripes (Conan cameo!)
Foo Fighter’s “Everlong”…the video is amazing and it was a chance for Gondry to express his obsession with Giant Hands!!! Steriogram’s “Walkie Talkie Men” is also great…then there’s White Stripe’s “Fell in love with a Girl” (all those wonderful lego pieces together!!) and “the hardest button to button”…and seriously the problem with Gondry is that I can’t choose only one, he’s wonderful…
No doubt, “Come Into My World” is still the best, most Gondry of the Gondry videos. Chemical Brothers’ “Star Guitar” and Daft Punk’s “Around The World” are right there with it too.
Knives Out, Fell in Love With a Girl, Dead Leaves & the Dirty Ground, Everlong.
Knives Out, Fell in Love With a Girl, Dead Leaves & the Dirty Ground, Everlong.
I am a big “Flight of the Conchords” fan — The Gondry episode was the highlight of a middling Season 2, especially the song “Carol Brown” –>
Oh man, all these videos are so good. “Declare Independence” and “Cellphone’s dead” especially are sooo awesome.
I have to vote for Cibo Mato “Sugar Water”. The fact that the song is also great just adds to it’s appeal.