Thursday, 17 September 2009

Goodwin's analysis of The Cure - The end of the world

The Cure is an English rock band that has a different approach to creating music video's than other bands of the same genre. Most rock bands, in particular contemporary ones, adopt a performance based style, showing the band members playing their instruments and basically rocking out, however The Cure creates more abstract video's, some that are slightly narrative and some that show hints of surrealism. The costume and image on the other hand, are kept in tone with the rock style. Lead singer Robert Smith has a trademark look that he portrays in each of The Cure's music video's which is normally black clothes, smudged red lipstick, tangled black hair and a deathly pale complexion. This has become a fundamental aspect of The Cure's image and demonstrates that the band is part of the gothic rock sub-genre, even more obvious when paired with the depressing lyrics in their songs.

The Cure depicts an amplified relationship between lyrics and visuals. For example, in the video 'The End Of The World', with the use of istopmotion the setting that the lead is in is falling down around him, sugar bowls are falling over, flowers are wilting and wallpaper is being teared down by itself, all symbolising the end of the world. This shows an exaggerated response to the song's lyrics, a trademark aspect of The Cure's music.

The video uses mostly mid-shots to focus on the self-destruction of the house. Many close-up's are also used to turn the attention to the lead singer, pinpointing his gothic style, exaggerated movements and pained expressions, making a particular motif of the band, the theme of anguish and despair.

There is a great sense of voyeurism, mainly shown through the way in which the lead singer addresses the camera. The close proximity of the camera to the artist gives the audience a voyeuristic view, making the audience feel as if their invading the artist's personal space.
Posted by A2 Media Students at 07:04
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