Analysis of Music Video 1

Overview Stone sour is an American rock band from Des Moines, Iowa that consists of slipknots front man Corey Taylor and also Jim Root (Guitarist for Slipknot) and three long-standing friends of Corey Taylor. The band formed in 1992, but didn’t have a real breakthrough until 2002 in which their first album Stone Sour, which lead on to the band earning themselves a record deal. Since the band released their first album in 2002 they have realised another two, with the most recent being released on the 7th of September 2010. This song is called 'Through Glass'. The song was originally written and inspired by frontman Corey Taylor, who was outraged at the music industry, claiming it was fake and pretentious. Video length: 4:06. Genre The genre of the song is Alternative rock/Post-grunge (as are the majority of Stone Sour songs), this can be seen as the video and music represent the genre the song fits into. The fast paced drums and guitar go alongisde Corey Taylors voice well to show all the usual sound conventions that would be heard in an alternative rock song. With Corey Taylor also being in the band Slipknot you can see that the conventions that both bands follow are very similar, conventions such as the similarities in voice tone and speed of guitars and drums etc. This shows the general trend that alternative rock bands follow to keep their reputation as a rock band. The genre is portrayed through Mis-en-scene, the band are seen throughout the video to be dressed in dark clothing with juxtaposes with the white and bright clothing of the other actors around them, although some guests in shots are dressed in black which make some of the stereotypes are made to stand out, this shows that the group are maintaining a dark, rock-like image when others around them are of different style. All the band are seen to be wearing black/very dark colours, in the video these contrast with some of the other actors, I believe this is a great indication to their music being spawned from a rock nature. The dark colours that the band are seen wearing coincide with the connotations of rebellion, mystery and evil etc in keeping with the whole rock feel that rock bands like to keep on show at all times. I believe is derived from the true meaning of the video as the song and video are both supposed to show anger at the hollywood scene, and the party is located at a hollywood house party in which the stereotype of a hollywood celebrity is being portrayed. Another point at which the band where the genre is represented is when the band meet together and begin to play their instruments, the edit is fast paced and the camera focus' on the fast playign of the instruments. Many rock bands are keen to show off their skills on their instruments and take pride in what they do. Below is a picture of one of the band members dressed dark and looking very serious: Representation The music video for this song is a narrative video, in which mainly Corey Taylor and the rest of the stone sour band are attending a cliche Hollywood party which is full of people who are false and base their lives upon materialistic objects and inferior matters. Corey slowly makes his way through the party in which he meets people which portray many stereotypes from the kind of crowd the song is aimed at. The stereotypes that are described involve: - A skinny blonde haired woman wearing a very short oufit, with excessive jewerly such as very large earrings, although these earrings are the only black item that she is wearing, i believe that this may show that although everyone may believe this woman is very perfect, she has her imperfections just like everyone else. She also has her hair perfectly done, a pristine white outfit which could be used to portray how she believes she has a 'pure' nature as the colour white is often associated with such meanings. When the woman appears on the camera she is seen from point of view (POV) of Corey Taylor who is making his way around the party, she is seen to be giving very unwelcoming look, which possibly appears to the viewer has her looking down upon him, asif he is inferior to her. I believe this may also show the stereotype of a 'rocker' who is seen as rebellious, uncaring and mysterious. These two images could antithesise one another by showing the two different sides in which the video is portraying. - A man is seen dressed in all white with over the top extravagant patterns on his blazer, a large gold chain on show and pristine white teeth. This is showing that the certain stereotype that the band are trying to aim the song at are seen as materialistic, and they try and show off their wealth, and also like to pride themselve on having very clean cut aesthetics. This is also shown by the female that this man is seen talking too, she is wearing a white bikini which showing off her toned and tanned body, which is also another way of showing that these actors are made to be showing off aesthetics and pride in doing so. She is also seen wearing gold earrings and a high amount of make-up. The connotation of this look connotate the typical wealthy stereotype in Hollywood, wearing make-up, jewelry and priding themself on having on what may be considered a 'perfect' appearance. - Two coloured men, seen to be laughing at the POV camera, mocking Corey. One is dressed in an open blazer with no shirt underneat, showing off his very toned body and wearing a gold chain to supplement the image.
Lyrics. I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed Oh God it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head 'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed All I know is that it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head How do you feel? That is the question But I forget you don't expect an easy answer When something like a soul becomes initialized And folded up like paper dolls and little notes You can't expect a bit of folks So while you're outside looking in Describing what you see Remember what you're staring at is me 'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed All I know is that it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head How much is real? So much to question An epidemic of the mannequins, contaminating everything We thought came from the heart But never did right from the start Just listen to the noises (Null and void instead of voices) Before you tell yourself It's just a different scene Remember it's just different from what you've seen I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed And all I know is that it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head 'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed And all I know is that it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head And it's the stars The stars that shine for you And it's the stars The stars that lie to you, yeah And it's the stars The stars that shine for you And it's the stars The stars that lie to you, yeah I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed Oh God it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head 'Cause I'm looking at you through the glass Don't know how much time has passed All I know is that it feels like forever But no one ever tells you that forever feels like home Sitting all alone inside your head And it's the stars The stars that shine for you, yeah And it's the stars The stars that lie to you, yeah And it's the stars The stars that shine for you, yeah And it's the stars The stars that lie to you, yeah yeah Who are the stars? Who are the stars that lie? The lyrics portray the overall theme of the song, as the band are using the song as a indirect insult against the Hollywood scene