Music Video Round-Up - September 2010

                                                              
Just in case you thought all those single reviews were getting stale, I am now introducing a new feature.  The Music Video Round-Up will be a monthly feature (if I can remember to do one each month!) in which I post several new music videos that have come out in the previous month, along with some candid thoughts about each one.  For now, the quality of the song itself is totally irrelevant - I am solely judging how good the video is.  As always, readers are encouraged to share their thoughts in the comment section.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on these videos.

Now let's get down to business!

Miranda Lambert, "Only Prettier"

I usually love music videos that have a clever and unique setting.  Miranda's new video is set in a 1950s sock hop.  Why not throw in some cameo appearances by Kellie Pickler, Hillary Scott, and Laura Bell Bundy?  That can't hurt.  Add some dancing, and more of the same quirky humor that makes the song itself so darn fun, and we've got a keeper.

MIRANDA'S SCORE:  8

Sugarland, "Stuck Like Glue"

Wha-oh, wha-oh, so-so cute.  Jennifer Nettles does a fantastic job of channeling her ditzy lovestuck character in this hilarious clip.  She, along with Kristian Bush as her accomplice, kidnap the object of her affections (played by Ryan McPartlin, a.k.a. "Captain Awesome" of Chuck fame) and subject him to her endless attempts to impress him.  The best part is near the end when Jennifer and a bevy of dancing beauties perform a choreographed routine during the reggae breakdown portion of the song.  Who knew Jennifer could move like that?  Could Dancing with the Stars be in her future?  That I can't say, but a sweep at next years CMT Music Awards seems quite likely after this awesome video.

SUGARLAND'S SCORE:  10

Reba McEntire, "Turn On the Radio"

What a disappointment!  This video was just one big missed opportunity!  As you well know, I was not a fan of this song, though I will admit it has grown on me lately.  But one thing I recognized about it was its potential to be an awesome fun music video.  This video come anywhere close to its potential.  It mainly consists of Reba pacing around a room and taunting her ex-lover (who is tied to a chair, and looks young enough to be her son).  A shelf stacked high with radios sits in the room.  The only remotely interesting part of the video is when Reba turns all of the radios on near the end of the song.  Throughout the whole boring video, you feel like you're waiting for something to happen.  But nothing happens.

REBA'S SCORE:  4

Taylor Swift, "Mine"

Whoops!  Taylor's new single leaked.  Whoops again!  The video leaked too.  Taylor's new video is a fine example of the well-constructed storytelling found in much of her music.  The clip builds on the basic story of the song and elaborates on it.  We see several flashbacks of her character's troubled childhood, in which she witnesses the breakup up her parents' marriage.  This explains why she has a tendency to run from love.  At the point when grown-up Taylor and her husband have a fight, she once again recalls a memory of her parents fighting as she 'braces herself for the goodbye.'  As her husband reassures her of his love, we see more flashbacks of the happy memories she has shared with her other half.  The video gives us insight into the thoughts and feelings of Taylor's character, making it all the more engaging.  I've probably said this before, but this might be one of Taylor's best videos.

TAYLOR'S SCORE:  9

(Scores are given on a scale of 1 to 10... as always)

POLL RESULTS
Which of these vidoes do you like best?

Sugarland, "Stuck Like Glue" - 50%
Miranda Lambert, "Only Prettier" - 21%
Reba McEntire, "Turn On the Radio" - 16%
Taylor Swift, "Mine" - 11%

It's Sugarland by a landslide!  Thanks to the 42 readers who voted in this poll.