Foals- Balloons

This is the song I will be using as my coursework this year. It is also one of my favourite music videos, in one aspect because of the raw simplicity of the mise en scene. The room is dated and ordinary but with the bands costume and clothing, together with all the the instruments the room suddenly looks alternative and quirky. Also, the random but brilliant props used, like a crow and the close ups of it and the fire in tea cups and on shoes and in hands gives it more alternative and an almost fashionable look.
The editintg in the video is very good, it pieces everything together. The short bursts of one clip into another gives the video life and energy that the song is trying to express.
The camera angles and shots that are used are also effectiove. I like the shots where one of the band members is standing among other people or other memners, and the shot is only fucused on them ,leaving everyines else out of focus. I also like shots that move or switch to another band member in tthe same shot, panning quickly so that the it creates a blurred effect and then quickly going still and focusing back on another band member.
The costume used is alternative and fashionable, making the band look exactly that. This makes them appeal to a certain audience before them even listening to the music or watching all of the video.
I do not particularly like the female dancers when they are shown on their own , but when the band are amongst the crowd i think it looks effective. Overall a very inspirational and enjoyable video.
Applying theory:
Andrew Goodwins Generic Conventions-
1. what generic conventions are evident in the music video?
The attitude of the band whilst playing the song and singing represent a certain type of genre in the sudden movements and outrageous dancing which somehow they seem to make look good.
2.What relationship is there between the lyrics and visuals?
There are some illustrative relationships such as the dancing in the video by the band, it fits the jumpy and random music which is what the dancing also is. Also the way in which the lead singer, Yannis, sings or mimes is very extravogant and alternative but it works with the music. There is also a contradicting element in the dance routine from the female dancers, which seem to have no relevance to the music, the band, mise-en-scene or the genre. Their simple but structured routine doesn't fit perfectly with the song, but it also somehows works well in the video with the music. There is also some disjunctered elements such as the crow on the set, and the fire in tea cups and in the band members hands, once again despite there being no relevance to the music or genre, it works well with the music and overall in the video. In conclusion, the contrast and mix of relationships work extremely well and are effective in the video.