Where Poodleface does some media analysis like a wonk
So, the guy who did that amazing video "A Glorious Dawn" has a follow-up out already:
Unfortunately, it's not nearly as good. And I'm going to tell you why!
The strengths of "A Glorious Dawn" followed from a lot of factors that are usually not present in Auto-Tuned videos... the compact and catchy hooks in the backing track, the repeating chorus which actually has a hummable melody, and the visuals that go beyond merely showing Sagan saying the words.
This video has these things, but they seem more shoehorned in. It's clearly a rush job meant to capitalize on the runaway success of his first video. I completely understand why he would want to do this... getting a bunch of hits on one of your videos is like crack cocaine.
Beefs:
1) Too many vocalists whose words barely tune into the central theme
2) Lackluster chorus, which repeats unevenly, and not in a good Wu-Tang kind of way
3) Lackluster backing music with no monster hooks like the first track
4) The song is far too long... I was having problems with my 2nd Flair video when it approached 3 minutes! For viral play, you've got to keep it short and sweet and compact.
5) Overuse of the auto-tune effect in a way that he avoided in the first Sagan video. In the first video the manipulation did not distort the fundamental pacing of Sagan's delivery, but these warps aren't as clean throughout.
If it were me, I would have stuck with coming with great Bill Nye clips and tried to stick with just him and perhaps one or two guests. Having Sagan do the guest spot would have been a good tie in.
I'm glad he's trying to capitalize on his success, but the Internet is forever... better to wait a couple of months and put out a worthy follow up than just crank one out with a random assortment of scientists. Granted, much of this criticism comes only because the first video was so damn great and this one isn't even close! It's all coming from love, I tell ya! Quality not quantity!
Click to viewUnfortunately, it's not nearly as good. And I'm going to tell you why!
The strengths of "A Glorious Dawn" followed from a lot of factors that are usually not present in Auto-Tuned videos... the compact and catchy hooks in the backing track, the repeating chorus which actually has a hummable melody, and the visuals that go beyond merely showing Sagan saying the words.
This video has these things, but they seem more shoehorned in. It's clearly a rush job meant to capitalize on the runaway success of his first video. I completely understand why he would want to do this... getting a bunch of hits on one of your videos is like crack cocaine.
Beefs:
1) Too many vocalists whose words barely tune into the central theme
2) Lackluster chorus, which repeats unevenly, and not in a good Wu-Tang kind of way
3) Lackluster backing music with no monster hooks like the first track
4) The song is far too long... I was having problems with my 2nd Flair video when it approached 3 minutes! For viral play, you've got to keep it short and sweet and compact.
5) Overuse of the auto-tune effect in a way that he avoided in the first Sagan video. In the first video the manipulation did not distort the fundamental pacing of Sagan's delivery, but these warps aren't as clean throughout.
If it were me, I would have stuck with coming with great Bill Nye clips and tried to stick with just him and perhaps one or two guests. Having Sagan do the guest spot would have been a good tie in.
I'm glad he's trying to capitalize on his success, but the Internet is forever... better to wait a couple of months and put out a worthy follow up than just crank one out with a random assortment of scientists. Granted, much of this criticism comes only because the first video was so damn great and this one isn't even close! It's all coming from love, I tell ya! Quality not quantity!