I'm starting with Pearl Jam at #39, because #40 was (who cares) Muse. Blah blah British alt-rock and angry teddy bears blah.
It's fitting that PJ's video was directed by Cameron Crowe--both he and the subject can exploit this 'I peaked in the '90s but won't give up' gumption, and it's even more fitting that the whole video is comprised of the thicker-in-the-middle members performing in a dive bar, the only place anyone hears Pearl Jam songs anymore.
38 - Creed - Something vaguely about Jesus and mostly about coming up against demons. Shouldn't even be on the countdown, but I guess middle America still exists. (Same goes for car-keying Carrie Underwood coming in at #37. Blond, accentuated twang and bust-region. Zzzz.).
And here's where you stop reading: I kind of like Rob Thomas, in at #36. He's like grownup Jason Mraz with his optimistic tunes that only touch on his deep-down-identity of a sad guitar guy. This vid makes you want to believe that life really is like parade-time Manhattan with peace marches, hippie buses and aviator glasses for all.
Foo Fighters? What is this best of 1997? The talking heads say Foo don't need to bring the silly in this video, that the straightforward performance speaks for itself. I want to agree because I'm a longtime Foo appreciator (I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a fan) but the Wheels Come Off video looks and sounds sort of like they're giving up. It's like old dude rock. Tame. And, yes, I realize that sentence has zero credibility after admitting to liking Rob Thomas.
34, Whitney's new album is a comeback in the sense that it makes me want to come back and listen to "I Will Always Love You" again. Million Dollar Bill, though? Not so much. Crack is whack, and Whit's now gravelly voice will never be able to fly like it once did. The video, since that's what this is about, has a cool Tina Turner in a teeny sequin dress vibe, which is alright.
#33, John Mayer - another attempted NYC anthem - but it ends up looking like a night out in LA. Too many skinny blonds in unnecessary scarves and people never taking off their sunglasses. That's not New York, John Mayer. I also think the precarious bridge walk is a little too much. Most people, on a cool night out in New York, don't lean over the edge of the Williamsburg bridge for a few pensive minutes before jumping into a pool with their clothes on.
#32, Happy by Leona Lewis. There's a cool movie quality to this video. The bride-switching gag is kind of clever, and let's be honest, Leona is dead-fucking-sexy. I could stare at her in the heather grey off-the-shoulder sweatshirt for at least the duration of this song. Which is also just OK.
#31: Plain White T's "1,2,3,4." I love the When Harry Met Sally device used in this video. You see all these real couples and you read a little caption with their love stories like "took him 9 months to ask her out," or "married 27 years." At the end you meet the singer's girlfriend and read that the song was written for her. Sweet and simple. Which is a nice lead in to #30.
Mariah Carey looking hids in drag. Um, take that, Eminem?
