Music video analysis #7- The Stone Roses- I Wanna Be Adored

Music video analysis #7

Act: The Stone Roses

Track: ‘I Wanna Be Adored’

Year: 1989

Genre: Indie Rock

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D2qcbu26gs

Main audience: M and F 15-25 + Socially mobile teens (16+).            

...

...                      

Genre characteristics: The genre characteristics for the genre of indie rock are embodied in this video. With the low-budget production and psychedelic influences in this video there is much which is reflective of indie rock. In many ways the simplicity of this video is highly conventional of the genre and is all in relation to the ‘going back basics’ notion of independent music. As well as psychedelic visuals, the video also shows the band playing the music with their respective instruments which is highly conventional of the rock genre.

Performance/ narrative/ concept: The production showcases the band walking through a desert and performing in a montage style. The video is filled with superimposition and the psychedelic purple colour.  There is little narrative in the production due to the easy and relaxed feel the video has to it.

Performance style: The style of performance in this video is that of a slower paced tempo. The slower movements of the band members indicates this. Much of the slowing down has been achieved through after effects, however many of the movements are indeed just performed slower than the conventional rock music performance.

Looking/ mode of address: The mode of address in this video is slightly vacant due to the emphasis on the music and desire for no star treatment to be had (Conventional of Indie music). However the viewers are often looked at by Ian Brown (Lead vocalist) when he delivers his vocals.

Star treatment: There is a distinct lack of star treatment in this video due to the nature of the genre of music and style of the band. It is highly unconventional of indie rock bands to have star treatment to any one band member due to the notion that ‘anyone can play music’ in rebellion to glorified stardom. The only one time the star treatment is applied would be in the middle eighth where the band speed up for a small guitar solo and the guitarist (John Squire is given extended time on camera).

Representations: There is the representation of youth as the band members dance and ‘feel the music’ in an artistic way. This representation of youth is reinforced by the clothing the band members wear which are in no way glamorous or expensive. This once again reinforces the idea of the band being ordinary.

Pace+ Variation of pace: The video and song start very slowly with only a few abstract and distorted sounds being heard. This reflects on the video as a distant purple desert is shown and the camera pans across in a slow fashion. However with the introduction of the bass and electric guitar, the song gains significant tempo and this is when the video showcases the respective band members performing and walking through the desert. This pace again changes in the middle eighth when the tempo increases with a short guitar solo, indicated by the extended time the guitarist has in the camera frame. During this section the guitarist is replicated many times and superimposed on the background in three incarnations. After this point the song continues its standard slow to medium paced tempo.

Shot variety: Throughout the video there are a number of different shots including that of long shots, medium-long shots, low angle shots, and an establishing shot.

Long shot of the band

This shot encompasses the entire band and shows the location of the performance. This is an effective shot due to the fact it shows the entire band playing their instruments, and demonstrates unity.

Medium-long shot 

This medium-long shot depicts the bassist performing in front of a faded purple sand dune, in synchronization with the rest of the production.

Low-angled shot

This low-angled shot gives mild star treatment to this band member as it makes the audience look up at said performer. This demonstrates a superiority complex.

Establishing shot

This establishing shot is one of the first shots of the video and accurately demonstrates the area of performance and sets the precedent for the rest of the video.

FX: The video heavily relies on effects. Many of the effects used include that of fade out editing between many of the shots, a purple lens filter, and superimposition of faded band members as well as desert sand dunes. The purple filter that is used over the entirety of the video connotes the realm of psychedelia and other worldly vibes.

Super imposed images around the actual image captured.

Location/ Mise-En-Scene: The locations shown in the video are that of a desert. This location is seen through the superimposed fade behind the band as they perform as well as the shots of the band walking through the desert itself. In terms of lighting, the lighting is mostly low-key however it isn’t so overpowering in either way (Low and high-key lighting). The costumes include that of the band member’s normal clothing of baggy t-shirts and trousers. This ordinary image is highly conventional of the genre and band. The band play with their instruments (Guitars, drum kits, microphone).

Ordinary clothing (Baggy T-shirt and trousers).

Sub-culture: The production demonstrates the sub-culture of indie rock and the ‘Madchester’ scene with the bands baggy clothing and ordinary appearance for the time (Early 90’s). In addition to this there could be allusions to the hippie (Counter-culture) and stoner culture due to the psychedelic and ‘trippy’ visuals.

Directors style: The director has used a slow pace of editing, often slowing down the clips of the band playing and using various fades in between shots which creates a drowsy effect to the video in addition to simple shots and straightforward ‘no nonsense’ performance.

Elements linked to your idea: Something to consider could be the directors use of simple shots and showcasing of the performance of the band in a straightforward manner.