BOOKED: Fall Out Boy - Shane Drake, director

Fall Out Boy remind the kiddies that Michael Jackson was once known for putting out music with this cover of "Beat It."

artist: Fall Out Boy
song: "Beat It"
label: Island Def Jam
director(s): Shane Drake
production co: Red Van Pictures
rep: Labuda Management

References to the Alien Ant Farm "Smooth Criminal" remake probably aren't appreciated...

BOOKED: Gnarls Barkley - Wendy Morgan, director

artist: Gnarls Barkley
song: "Going On"
label: Downtown/Atlantic
director(s): Wendy Morgan
production co: The Revolver Film Co.
rep: Labuda Management

BOOKED: Thriving Ivory - Christopher Sims, director

artist: Thriving Ivory
song: "Angels On The Moon"
label: Wind-Up
director(s): Christopher Sims
production co: DNA

NEW RELEASE: Madonna "4 Minutes"

Madonna and Justin Timberlake don't seem to be saving the world, so much as causing seismic ripples of energy that disrupt reality. These bursts cause the screen to fragment into cubist facets that reveal the layers beneath what is normally visible. For example,  the underlying musculature and skeletal system of two lovers is revealed when Madonnalake enter their bedroom. Meanwhile, a 4:00 time bomb counter looms at the back of the dancefloor, counting down to zero while these two stars — and, occasionally, co-writer / producer / vocalist Timbaland — strikes as many poses as possible.  Mirrored images and shadowed choreography — plus the stated mission of using the four minutes of song to save the world  — reinforce the notion that Madonna and Timberlake are two points on a pop star continuum: One is a Hall Of Famer that has outlasted every fad and fashion — even the ones of her own creation — and the other as the sole survivor of the mid '90s teen pop explosion. --> watch "4 Minutes" (YouTube)

Madonna "4 Minutes" (Warner Bros.)
Jonas & Francois, director | Greg Panteix, producer | SOIXAN7E QUIN5E, production co | Dan Landin, DP | Danny Tull, editor

BOOKED: Semi Precious Weapons - Pamela Romanowsky, director

artist: Semi Precious Weapons
song: "Her Hair Is On Fire"
label: Razor & Tie
director(s): Pamela Romanowsky
production co: Seditious Films

SHOT: Red - The Fackrell Brothers, directors

artist: Red
song: "Already Over"
label: Epic
director(s): The Fackrell Brothers
production co: The Vault LA

NEWS: Director Brian Thompson Announces The Vault LA

Director Brian Thompson has formed the one-stop music video and commercial production company The Vault LA with cinematographer Jason Hafer, producer Carolyn Vye, and editor Dave Gallegos.

Brian Thompson's video credits include:

• Killswitch Engage "Holy Diver"
• Madina Lake "One Last Kiss"
• As I Lay Dying "Nothing Left"

Other directors on The Vault LA roster include The Fackrell Brothers and newcomer Drew Renaud.

NEW RELEASE: Lair Of The Minotaur "War Metal Battle Master"

Director Gary Smithson's crushing video for thrash throwbacks Lair Of The Minotaur is certainly not safe for work and possibly not even for civilized society. Things start smoothly with bouts of comically ultraviolent swordplay that comes across like a mix of Conan The Barbarian, Gladiator and Monty Python & The Holy Grail. It's nasty stuff, but nothing compared to the naked cannibal chicks that suddenly arrive to maul the carcasses and bathe themselves with blood and entrails.

    Strangely enough, the video is actually kind of educational — and not just in teaching young men that a woman will someday take pleasure in devouring their dead body. The action is a direct interpretation of the Greek Mythology lyrics by Lair Of The Minotaur frontman Steve Rathbone, depicting a bloody battle between Ares and Kydoimos that attracts the female death spirits known as Keres. But, fear not. The only way to piece that together is by reading the full video credits and song lyrics, or by being a Classics major. So please feel free to just view this as a nice exercise in blood and boobs.  --> watch "War Metal Battle Master" (uncensored version)

Lair Of The Minotaur "War Metal Battle Master" (Southern Lord)
Gary Smithson, director/DP/editor | Gary Smithson, Steven Rathbone & Southern Lord Records, producers

BOOKED: Noel Gourdin - Bille Woodruff, director

artist: Noel Gourdin
song: "The River"
label: Epic
director(s): Bille Woodruff
production co: The Filming Co.
rep: Yell Productions

SHOT: Protest The Hero - Marc Andre Debruyne, director

artist: Protest The Hero
song: "Sequoia Throne"
label: Underground Operations/Vagrant
director(s): Marc Andre Debruyne
production co: The Field

Video commissioned through Universal Music Canada.

BOOKED: J-Bru - Marc Andre Debruyne, director

artist: J-Bru
song: "What R We Doin?"
label: Urbnet
director(s): Marc Andre Debruyne
production co: The Field

SHOT: Rev Theory - Travis Kopach, director

artist: Rev Theory
song: "Hell Yeah"
label: Interscope
director(s): Travis Kopach
production co: DNA

NEW RELEASE: All Time Low "Dear Maria..."

Maria is on the pole. But, she has a choice. On one side of the stage is a douche bag with a mullet, doing to everything he can think of to lure her away from this place. Flowers, money, balloons, a trip to a surely all-inclusive resort. He even busts out a chimpanzee. On the other side is All Time Low, who look and sound like they're ready to give their "All" forebears All American Rejects a run for punkish teenyboppers hearts and money. The ending is exactly as you'd expect, but still satisfying. The band gets the girl. And the chimp. Actually, maybe she gets the chimp?  --> watch "Dear Maria, Count Me In"

All Time Low "Dear Maria, Count Me In" (Hopeless)
Travis Kopach, director | Jeremy Sullivan , producer | Dignity & Shame, production co | Russell Griffith, DP | note: Travis Kopach is now signed with DNA

NEWS: Pitchfork.TV Launches

Today marks the debut of Pitchfork.tv, an independent music video site/channel curated by the folks at pitchforkmedia.com. Video quality though the flash is top-notch and allows full-screen viewing and direct linkage. Some content can also be downloaded as iPod-friendly M4v files and/or embedded on other sites.

Launch content includes:

• An exclusive clip of Radiohead performing "Bangers & Mash" in producer Nigel Godrich's basement.
• An episode of Juan's Basement, which features band performances and interviews in and around the basement of Juan. First band in the Pitchfork run of the series is Liars.
• A one week only run of Pixies reunion documentary loudQUIETloud.
• A live show by Jay Reatard
• A selection of indie videos that includes: Aphex Twin, Band Of Horses, Battles, Dan Deacon, Death Cab For Cutie, Grizzly Bear, M83, Madlib, Menomena, Pinback, The Shins and Wolf Parade.

It's a proverbial wet dream for indie rock fans with the time and bandwith to spare... even if their literal wet dreams involve Tila Tequila, Heidi Montag and Deelishis.

SHOT: Four Letter Lie - Endeavor Media, directors

Look for some Ghostbusters action in this video for "Nothing But A Ghost."

artist: Four Letter Lie
song: "Nothing But A Ghost"
label: Victory
director(s): Endeavor Media
production co: Endeavor Media

NEW RELEASE: SSLYBY "Think I Wanna Die"

The guys in Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin may or may not still love the former Russian president, but the lack of loving relationships in this video is pretty darn clear. The SSLYBY fellas sweetly romance the gals from the band Eisley, but eventually botch things so badly that the breakups lead to murderous acts of vengeance. All the mimed injuries apparently rubbed off in a real way, as the instrument smashing portion of the video includes a mishap with a rock that left the guitarist with a broken hand. And, yes, that shot is included in the video. The making-of leaves the scene out, but there's an odd foreboding as the band play a sweet pop version of the Nirvana anthem "Lithium" — which was of course matched with a more successful music video bout of on-stage destruction. --> watch "Think I Wanna Die" (MySpace link)

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
"Think I Wanna Die" (Polyvinyl)
Israel Anthem, director/editor | Travis Archer, producer | Teleprompt Films, production co | Bret Weeks, DP

MAKING OF: Tyga "Coconut Juice" w/ Dale "Rage" Resteghini

The Decaydance VIP site Friends Or Enemies posted a making-of for the "Coconut Juice" video by Tyga, who is the debut signing to Gym Class Hero frontman Travis McCoy's Decaydance imprint, Bat Squd. The short includes descriptions of the action from McCoy, Tyga and director Dale "Rage" Resteghini, plus a cameo by Pete Wentz. Worth a watch if only to see that the direction of a party scene is similar to a bank hold-up (ie: just keep yelling"hands up!").

Dale "Rage" Resteghini is signed with his own Raging Nation Films and repped for music videos by Yell Productions.

MTV Adds for the Week of 4/07/08

Madonna "4 Minutes" (Warner Bros.)
Usher "Love In This Club" (LaFace)

MTV2 Adds:
Seether "Rise Above This" (Wind-Up)
Usher "Love In This Club" (LaFace)

MTVU Adds:
Augustana "Sweet And Low" (Epic)
The Duke Spirit "The Step And The Walk" (Shangri-La)
Helio Sequence "Keep Your Eyes Ahead" (Sub Pop)
Justin Nozuka "After Tonight" (Glassnote)
Los Campesinos! "Death To Los Campesinos!" (Arts & Crafts)
Lupe Fiasco "Hip Hop Saved My Life" (Atlantic)
The Raconteurs "Salute Your Solution" (Third Man/Warner Bros.)
Tally Hall "Good Day" (Atlantic)
Tokyo Police Club "Tessellate" (Saddle Creek)

MTV Jams Adds:
Keyshia Cole "Heaven Sent" (Geffen)
Lupe Fiasco "Hip Hop Saved My Life" (Atlantic)
Twista f/ The Speedknot Mobstaz "Money To Blow " (Atlantic)
Usher "Love In This Club" (LaFace)
Yung Berg "Do That There" (YB/Epic/Koch)

VH1 Adds for the Week of 4/07/08

Vh1 Adds:
Augustana "Sweet And Low" (Epic)
The B-52's "Funplex" (Astralwerks)
Madonna "4 Minutes" (Warner Bros.)
Maroon 5 "Won't Go Home Without You" (Octone/A&M/Interscope)
MGMT "Time To Pretend" (Columbia)
Usher "Love In This Club" (LaFace)

Vh1 Soul Adds:
Ryan Leslie "Diamond Girl" (Universal Motown)
Usher "Love In This Club" (LaFace)

BET Adds for the Week of 4/07/08

Adds:
Kanye West f/ Chris Martin "Homecoming" (Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam)
Keyshia Cole "Heaven Sent" (Geffen)
Ryan Leslie "Diamond Girl" (Universal Motown)
Usher "Love In This Club" (LaFace)

Rap City Adds:
I.G. & Lil' D.P. "Tip Witcha Boy" (Eternity)
Kanye West f/ Chris Martin "Homecoming" (Roc-A-Fella/Island Def Jam)
Prodigy "The Life" (AAO)
Yung Berg "Do That There" (YB/Epic/Koch)

Fuse Adds for the Week of 4/07/08

Adds:
Atreyu "Falling Down" (Hollywood)
Madonna "4 Minutes" (Warner Bros.)
Ray J. f/ Yung Berg "Sexy Can I" (Koch/Deja34/Knockout)

Music Choice Adds for the Week of 4/07/08

Adds:
3 Inches Of Blood "Trial Of Champions" (Roadrunner)
Against Me! "Stop" (Sire)
Ashanti "The Way That I Love You" (The Inc./Universal Motown)
Styles P f/ AZ "The Hardest" (Quiet Money/Koch)
Bake Up Boyz f/ Jim Jones "Now I Can Do That" (Fharmacy)
Britney Spears "Break The Ice" (Jive/ZLG) 
Calvin Harris "The Girls" (Flye Eye)
The Cool Kids "Black Mags" (C.A.K.E.)
Cut Copy "Lights & Music" (Modular)
De Novo Dahl "Shout" (Roadrunner)
Enrique Iglesias f/ Lil' Wayne "Push" (Jive/ZLG)
Jai Reed "Anointed Me" (TLR)
Janet "Rock With U" (Island)
Jordin Sparks f/ Chris Brown "No Air" (Jive/ZLG)
The Kooks "Always Where I Need To Be" (Astralwerks)
Kat DeLuna f/ Busta Rhymes "Run The Show" (Epic)
Lil Wayne "Lollipop" (Cash Money/Universal Motown) 
Mica Roberts f/ Toby Keith "Things A Mama Don't Know" (Show Dog)
Milk Inc. "Sunrise" (Spinnin')
Mocean Worker "Shake Ya Boogie" (Mowo! Inc.)
My American Heart "The Shake (Awful Feeling) Version 2" (Warcon)
O'Neal McKnight "Check Your Coat" (Universal Motown)
Prima J "Nadie (No One)" (Geffen)
Regina Belle "God Is Good" (Pendulum)
Serj Tankian "Sky Is Over" (Serjical Strike/Warner Bros.)
Talib Kweli "Hostile Gospel" (Blacksmith/Warner Bros.)
Tift Merritt "Broken" (Concord)
Tomi "Baby Get Down" (Rosehip)
Waun "Black Woman" (Wrapped Tight)
Webbie f/ LeToya "I Miss You" (Trill/Asylum/Atlantic)
Wyclef Jean "President" (Columbia)
Yoav "Club Thing" (Verve)

CMT Adds for the Week of 3/31/08

CMT Adds:
Dierks Bentley "Trying To Stop Your Leaving" (Capitol Nashville)
Emily West "Rocks In Your Shoes" (Capitol Nashville)
Jack Ingram "Maybe She'll Get Lonely" (Big Machine)

CMT Pure Adds:
Dierks Bentley "Trying To Stop Your Leaving" (Capitol Nashville)
Emily West "Rocks In Your Shoes" (Capitol Nashville)
Griffin House "I Remember (It's Happening Again)" (Nettwerk)
Jack Ingram "Maybe She'll Get Lonely" (Big Machine)
Jennifer Hanson "73" (Universal South)
Jeremy McComb "This Town Needs A Bar" (Parallel)

MuchMusic Adds for the Week of 3/31/08

Adds:
Colin Munroe "I Want Those Flashing Lights"
David Guetta f/ Cozi "Baby When The Light"
The Raconteurs "Salute Your Solution"
Ray J. f/ Yung Berg "Sexy Can I"
Sara Bareilles "Love Song"
Snoop Dogg f/ Too $hort & Mistah FAB "Life Of The Party"