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Basement Jaxx: The VideosRated: E approx 100 min. Remote Control/Inertia One of the key elements to Basement Jaxx's success over the years has been their ability to self-promote. 'The Videos' is a collection of their videos for singles from 1999 to 2005 (corresponding with their matching CD 'The Singles'). There is also a live section and a few extras: the simple doco about their Coachella performance and some Jaxx home footage in which Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton constantly make it known who Basement Jaxx are. Luckily for us, their musical talent supports their confidence. They superimpose their name and logo over the raw footage cut to the beats in fun and trashy early videos from 'Remedy' and 'Rooty.' These releases include the diner-crashing asteroid of Red Alert and the dog dreaming up bizarre narrators for a Rendez-Vu; both breakthrough singles that still sound as fresh today as they did when released. It's also impossible to forget the band as evil monkey/human mutations in the hilariously scary Where's Your Head At; a masterpiece of modern video clip making and a scene-defining anthem. From last year's Grammy winning 'Kish Kash' we get their heads floating in outer space during Lucky Star and their appearance as factory guards who accidentally burn a group of human looking robot women in Plug It In by director Traktor, an initially disappointing video compared to his Where's Your Head At. However, upon realization that Plug It In is an intentionally quirky collaboration with N'Sync's JC Chavez, it's wacky darkness makes sense; and even though Felix and Simon's performances are cheesy to the max, they still produce moments of genuine humour. One latest addition to the Basement Jaxx gamut is Oh My Gosh, set in a nursing home in the same 70's retro style as director Matt Kirkby's previous video for Good Luck. The live section spins the Basement Jaxx self-promotion around. The boys are smart enough to let the spotlight fall on their guest vocalists while they remain in the background behind the turntables. Check out the snarl on vinyl-clad vixen Charlotte Hodson as she prowls the stage in a sexed up Cish Cash from Belgium. The boys make Dizzee Rascal's voice soar by sending it to space on a spicy hot Lucky Star, and in the final performance, a stunning seven and a half minute long Glastonbury Festival version of Where's Your Head At, Buxton throws all the anonymity away and joins the celebratory crowd.  |
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