You & I

I can't believe it has taken me a week to discuss One Direction's "You & I" music video.

It's amaZAYN, phenomeNIALL, BrilLIAM, fabuLOUIS, and extraordinHARRY.  Yes, I just did that.

The video takes place on a mile long pier with a pretty grey color scheme, although the five boys brighten up the screen with their gorgeous faces.

It starts with Niall, singing his solo.  Liam follows Niall, but instead of just having Liam come up on the screen, Ben Winston, being the excellent director that he is, morphs each member into the next.  Niall looks down and becomes Liam as he looks up.  Liam moves his hand down in front of his face and becomes Harry.  Harry turns around and becomes Zayn (this part gives me goosebumps because the music changes and I think it is the best morph done in the whole video).  Zayn turns to the side and becomes Louis.  And Louis places his hand directly in front of his face to go back to Harry.

But there has been a lot of talk that One Direction has "plagiarized" Australian company Oh Yeah Wow's "freeze frame effect," which they claim they created.

I think if anyone created the "freeze frame" it would be the J. Geils Band.

That's my sense of humor.

But really, the idea of freeze framing has been around for a long time.  Nice try!

Yes, plagiarism is an issue we need to watch out for these days since the creation of computers and the internet, but I don't think I see plagiarism here, I see this as imitation.  Isn't imitation the finest form of flattery?

Leave my Brits alone.

[Source:  YouTube]

Midnight Memories

I bought One Direction's new album, Midnight Memories, yesterday and I have to say, it is different, yet very good.

Actually, I kind of want to change what I said.  It is different, but I have seen that every new release of theirs sounds different than the one before.  The only thing, is that this one sounds extremely different.

Here's the track list:

1. Best Song Ever
2. Story Of My Life
3. Diana
4. Midnight Memories
5. You & I
6. Don't Forget Where You Belong
7. Strong
8. Happily
9. Right Now
10. Little Black Dress
11. Through The Dark
12. Something Great
13. Little White Lies
14. Better Than Words
15. Why Don't We Go There*
16. Does He Know?*
17. Alive*
18. Half A Heart*

*Deluxe version

If you listen to Up All Night and then listen to this album, you will be amazed as to how the boys have matured; lyrically and musically.  Even the jump from Up All Night to Take Me Home was a pretty great one.

Louis's solos make me want to cry.  Zayn's high notes make me want to scream.  This whole album makes me want to go crazy.  Play this album on the highest volume your device allows!!!!

"Midnight Memories" is very rock 'n roll (actually a majority of the album sounds very rock 'n roll), "Little White Lies" has a BASS DROP, and "You & I" sounds a little like "Change My Mind" from Take Me Home.  This whole album has me very impressed.  Amazing job my little British and Irish lads!

You can of course purchase the album wherever CDs are sold.  

Story of My Life

So I had a different post in mind for today, but after watching the new One Direction video, I felt it necessary to speak of that.

The song is called "Story of My Life" and is off their third and upcoming album Midnight Memories.  The song is amazing, but the music video makes it incredible.

The boys each recreate a favorite picture of theirs, but it is so touching to the point where I actually cried.  Did I overreact?  Probably, but watch the video for yourself and see what happens.

It was directed by Ben Winston, the guy who does all of One Direction's music videos, so he must be a pretty fantastic dude.  Just sayin'.  Well, here it is:

[Source:  YouTube]