Category Archives: Music Review

Music Video of the Day: In My Dreams by Dokken (1986, directed by Wayne Isham)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

There’s never a dull moment when you’re a member of Dokken!  If you’re not playing in the rain, you’re standing on a computer generated grid.  I think this was all supposed to represent what Don Dokken was seeing in his dreams.

This single was released off of Dokken’s third studio album, Under Lock and Key.  The video was directed by Wayne Isham, who directed videos for everyone who was anyone.  Dokken definitely had their moment in the 80s.  The band’s classic line-up broke up in 1988 and Don Dokken is the only original member in the band’s current incarnation.  (When Don Dokken initially left the band in 1988, it created an odd situation where the other three members were still performing as Dokken even though the band’s namesake was pursuing a solo career.)  In April, Don Dokken said that he might be retiring from performing all together.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Heaven by Warrant (1990, directed by Nick Morris)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Heaven was Warrant’s most commercially successful single and it is certainly more sentimental than something like Cherry Pie.  The song itself was originally recorded by Plain Jane, the band that singer Jani Lane was in before Warrant.

The music video was shot in Kansas City and features Scottish model Tracy Allan.  Director Nick Morris also worked with bands like Europe, Cinderella, and Thunder.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: At My Most Beautiful by R.E.M. (1999, directed by Nigel Dick)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Sometimes, the most difficult thing is just making it to the audition in time.  That is the theme of the video for R.E.M.’s At My Most Beautiful, which follows a cellist as she tries to make it to her audition for R.E.M.

The cellist is played by Rain Phoenix.  Rain was the younger sister of River Phoenix, who was a friend of R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe.  Rain had previously been a member of River’s band, Aleka’s Attic, and she also served as a back-up singer with the Red Hot Chili Peppers shortly before she appeared in this video.

Director Nigel Dick is another one of those music video directors who worked with almost everyone.  If you were a successful musician, Nigel Dick probably did at least one video for you.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Black Water by The Doobie Brothers (????, directed by ????)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

I’m not sure when this video for Black Water was filmed.  The song itself came out in 1974 but, because the video features Bobby LaKind on the congas, the video had to have been shot after 1976.  The presence of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and Tiran Porter means that it was shot before 1980.  If I had to guess, I’d say 1978 because the was the same year the Doobie Brothers appeared on What’s Happening!!!.

I looked closely at the audience and I did not see Rerun trying to tape the performance.  That’s good because the one thing that really upset the Doobie Brothers was bootlegging.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Wasted Years by Iron Maiden (1986, directed by Jim Yukich)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Wasted Years was Iron Maiden’s 14th single and its first off of their Somewhere In Time album.  The music video depicts the same scene that was on the single’s cover.  Eddie is piloting his time machine through temporal space while the band plays.  Eddie was a cyborg for the Somewhere In Time singles.

This was yet another video directed by the very busy Jim Yukich.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: Forever Free by W.A.S.P. (1989, directed by Jim Yukich)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

Forever Free was a power ballad from W.A.S.P. and an homage to Lynard Skynard’s Freebird.  It appeared on W.A.S.P.’s fourth studio album, The Headless Children.  At the time, The Headless Children was considered to be W.A.S.P.’s first mature album and it featured the band performing songs about something more than just heavy metal decadence and good times.

Director Jim Yukich is one of those directors who has worked with everyone who was anyone.  If your band was a success during the MTV era, Jim Yukich probably did at least one video for you.

Enjoy!

Music Video of the Day: No Leaf Clover by Metallica (2000, directed by Wayne Isham)

Posted on by Jedadiah Leland

No Leaf Clover is one of two original compositions to appear on Metallica’s 1999 live album, S&M.  S&M stood for Symphony and Metallica and any other possible interpretation was just a coincidence.  (Sure!)

Directed by Wayne Isham, this video features both Metallica and the San Francisco Symphony bringing the song to life.  This was also the second to last Metallica video to feature bassist Jason Newsted.

Enjoy!