The buzz in certain corners of the internet has been that Taylor Momsen bared all for AMP Rock TV's “The Words”. Truth is that while that might be true at the studio where the video was shot, the clip contains no nudity that isn’t obscured and could well have been done with CG. The scene itself was done as art. Take a look for yourself:

AMP Rock TV's  'The Words' sounded like a great idea to me at first. The concept seemed simple enough – have artists speak the lyrics to their songs sans music, like a poem into the camera that focused on them and band members in an honest portrayal of the words.  Hell, the style is alluring – It’s minimalist and intimate, but watch it for any length of time and you’ll soon find out if the series of films are for you. While some might find that the artists playing with their hair and face are complimentary and expressive, I find it distracting.  The point is probably not to make a music video but to keep things stripped down; still I wonder what kind of different film art might have accompanied the words. Too I’d say that while the series is a welcomed venture outside of the music, there’s something about the way the lyrics mesh with the sounds of a song that really lift the music’s words beyond what could be expressed otherwise. 

So while 'The Words' doesn't have Taylor Momsen baring all, it does offer being: 

"Intimate, emotional, at times disturbing, but always powerful, 'The Words' presents the lyrics of a selection of the world's most influential bands and artists in a completely new way."

The above is taken straight from the AMP Rock TV website.

They have showcased Evanescence, Stone Sour, Korn, Marilyn Manson and more. Click through to Youtube for more. It's worth a look

- Josh

Here’s a great piece of horror just in time for Friday. Sure, its been around since 2011, but in case you missed it, this grim, old western, god fearing, gruesome piece of animation will be sure to taint this gateway day to the long week end… in a dark but good way!

Sure, the concept of narrow minded, “Wrath of the church” is a tired one, and the blood spilling bordering on excess, but the artwork is too damn pretty not to be entranced by. The undertaker’s character, top hat, bike and all was great, especially the glimpses of its black wings expanded!

I’d be interested in hearing more about the feature length script that was mentioned at the beginning of the vid above. More along the lines of “The Backwater Gospel” sounds like a good thing.

The vid’s Directed by Bo Mathorne and produced at the Animation Workshop. Big thanks to my friend, Crystal, for sharing this dark clip with me.

- Josh

I’ve always been a fan of Nine Inch Nails (NIN). Not much so for the lyrics, but for the sound. While some could name any number of Trent Reznor’s NIN albums that could be used as a backdrop for creating, I’ll only suggest one today: Ghosts I-IV. Ever heard of it?

This entry is bursting at the seams with creativity! First, listen to the haunting Youtube video below.

The piano’s a bit heavy and somber up front, but the electronic hum at 0:49 is just plain awesome, culminating in a mournful hiss at 1:49.

According to Trent Reznor via the Ghosts website,

“This collection of music is the result of working from a very visual perspective - dressing imagined locations and scenarios with sound and texture; a soundtrack for daydreams”

On creating the entry, Reznor explains, “The rules were as follows: 10 weeks, no clear agenda, no overthinking, everything driven by impulse. Whatever happens during that time gets released as… something”

So, not only is Ghosts I-IV a great backdrop for creativity but is also a creative experiment. Did I mention that it’s DRM (Digital Rights management) Free! (means you can share and remix the work (while making sure to attribute the work appropriately, not using it for commercial purposes, and distributing the work under the same or similar license)).

Also, there was a Reznor organized Youtube film festival, “an experiment in collaboration and a chance for us to interact beyond the typical one-way artist-to-fan relationship.” (source: Wiki)

You can pick up a copy of the CD at the Ghosts website here:

http://ghosts.nin.com/main/order_options

Have fun. Now get creating!

- Josh

Let’s say that you’re solving a puzzle (One of those abstract ones that demand you be creative), or perhaps you’re writing the scene of a coffee house in your latest short story. Would it surprise you that your initial approach in completing both those tasks is likely the same approach shared by a vast majority of others? In the case of the coffee house, how unique and fresh will yours be really? Even if you’re going for something different?

Here’s a basic and quick example from Jonah Lehrer’s book, “Imagine” on the subject of creativity.

Take the color: Blue.

Now free Associate. Say out loud what comes to mind when you think of “blue”.

“…there’s a 45 percent chance that your first answer will be sky. Your next answer will probably be ocean, followed by green…”

What is that? How can we be so predictable? 

Free association is a quick exercise. Our brain hears “blue,” considers its definition, “a color” and then associates it with the obvious big blue dome we see overhead every day and have been connecting with blue since childhood flash cards. Now, say you consider the color’s definition to encompass “feelings”, why then, you may be more apt to cite a blues musician, or the name of an artist whose song makes you feel sad.

Add to your expanding definition by throwing in completely random associations, like say “King” or “vegetable” and you begin to further loosen otherwise firm ideas that constrict the spectrum of answers. 

When you’re being creative and looking to produce something fresh, remember our very natural inclination to cycle through the familiar and common. Instead, have fun with your task. Before moving on, stop and consider other options. Jot ideas down, add random ones, and your brain will do the rest.

- Josh