Noise du Jour: “Heart’s A Mess” by Gotye
Posted by Qais Fulton
As a friend aptly pointed out, this is the primordial musical ooze from which all mix-tape life is born. The doleful susurrations of the long-limbed, globe-trotter intermingling with a plodding beat, so effectively evoke a response that to assume the song was crafted in a lab by starchy scientists as some kind of musical weapon of mass destruction would not be unreasonable.
But I will never appreciate this song through the mix-tape tinted glasses of my associate. I come from a time beyond mix-tapes, where the act of handing off a plastic cassette packed with intimate confessions previously unvocalized is an antiquated act. No, I will never experience the mix-tape, and for this I feel robbed. Robbed of disclosing unspeakable intent. Robbed of the singular humiliation of exposure and unrequited aural affection, and the subsequent sobbing phone calls with a lesbian confidante.
You could argue that to burn a CD is just as effective, but really it’s not the same. The only real options are the trading of songs over vast distances or passing a thumb-drive — a self-effacing affront on one’s manhood you’d do well to avoid. Thankfully, the music is still wondrous.
[Thanks, Jay!]
Categories: Noise du Jour
Posted at 12:53 pm on June 27, 2008
10 Comments -
A life without mixtapes is a life that has barely been lived. I feel for you, sir.
Comment by chesh — June 27, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
I am surprised its taken you so long to come across this clip. Originally released here in Australia in 2006, its a song that has always stopped the world. I work as a professional baker, and when ever dig radio or JJJ played it, the world would stop. My dough making or hand moulding would slow to the rythem of the music, the sound of the voice. The sounds of the bakery would mix with the sad but beautiful harmony, and I would feel the loss and the mess of the world and all the failed love in the world.
While a child of the 80s I was never much of a mix tape guy incidentally. My tastes being so broad that most of my muso and baking friends were basically scandalised that I could listen to everything from Bach to Gotye. the album is good to and the other clips, better put them on the site……
Comment by David Finnis — June 27, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
…or you could make a muxtape.
Comment by revston — June 27, 2008 @ 8:43 pm
You know, it occurs to me upon actually watching this that the modern equivalent of a mixtape might actually be a well crafted Youtube playlist. While the lack of the physical artifact definitely detracts from the heritage, the extra visual element (and need to keep the theme coherent across that, as well as the aural component) I think makes up for that. Like a mixtape, in order to be fully appreciated, one has to devote their entire attention to it, rather than just putting it on in the background.
Comment by chesh — June 28, 2008 @ 12:37 am
I can’t say as I see how a burned CD is not the same. That was a hallmark of my teens and even early twenties, it felt pretty valid.
And so will whatever those crazy kids do from here to custom telepathic soundgasms.
Comment by Oliver — June 28, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
this reminds me very much of the song if i apologized from the mirrormask soundtrack
Comment by thefileclerk — June 29, 2008 @ 5:23 am
indeed
i am from that antedeluvian mix-tape prehistory. made many. the sentiment. the planning. the timing. the 30 seconds of that last song that just didn’t fit. the snipping the tape from the reel and manually rewinding so she can’t listen to it a 2nd time.
not quite the same craftsmanship goes into a mixed CD
good times.
now, where are my cartoons?
nobody works here on the weekends?
Comment by Haux — June 29, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Speaking of a well crafted YouTube playlist, was it Brownlee’s turn to do the Saturday Morning Cartoons again?
Comment by Freddie Freelance — June 29, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
Child Born In 90. Mix Tapes Before My time Or Maybe I’m Even More Out Of Touch With Things Then I Thought. I Don’t Know. Wonderful Song However.
P.S. I To Miss My Cartoons D:
Comment by Rune 101 — June 30, 2008 @ 2:17 am
boo.
no cartoons.
no explanation.
no apology.
bah. i’m not actually owed anything, even if i sound like i think i am.
but i do look forward to those toons on saturdays.
Comment by Haux — June 30, 2008 @ 7:03 pm