Review of Miss FD's "Moment of Fade" video
No, I'm not dead. I've just been busy stalking Facebook statuses and writing for GPX to post here much lately xD But what better way to start again than with a review of a pretty awesome music video by a pretty awesome chick?
If there was ever a visual metaphor for disparity, yin and yang, and opposition, "Moment of Fade" by Miss FD (directed by Adam Alvarez) is it. Everything is in opposition in the video, from the opening scene of Miss FD herself in a black Victorian-esque dress (a mourning gown?) walking across a graffiti-covered cityscape to the contrasting clips of her in a white gown (wedding dress?) surrounding by waves and sand. Sadness in an urban setting, joy(?) in nature, a dark ensemble against the brightness of the grass, graffiti, and (of course) her hair, a woman out of her time and place in both settings.
The way I see it, the song is most definitely sing towards a person, but coupled with the video, I see it as more of a spiritual communion. I see the white gowned Miss FD as the embodiment of innocence or hope, while the black-frocked persona is sadness and torment. The box itself is a nod to Pandora's Box of Greek mythology. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Pandora was given a box that contained all the sins and evils of mankind as a wedding present by the gods (and you thought that toaster you got was a bad gift :P). Being the curious lass that she was, she peeked inside the box (technically a jar, but whatever) and all the evils escaped. She closed it back just in time to save Hope, the most precious of all. In that regard, the white-clothed Miss FD is a representation of that Hope, while the one in funeral attire is searching for the key to let her alter ego out. Or perhaps the "white dress" is the innocence lost in this crazy, insane world and Miss FD is simply trying to reclaim it.
Going deeper into my over-analytical mindset with this video, the "white dress" does the majority of the singing while the "black dress" (it's just easier to refer to each persona like that xD) wanders through a deserted city searching for the key that will open the box. Only when she reaches the limit of her frustration do both personas begin singing together, perhaps symbolizing the harmony of joy/innocence paired with sadness and pain that makes us human. Or not....
Anywho! The direction of the video is actually quite stunning. Mr. Alvarez has some talent for framing and focusing, letting Miss FD tell her story without trying to overdo it with fancy gimmicks or flashiness.
I really like this video, but I do have a couple of quibbles. First is a rather shallow one, but the boots Miss FD wears in the beginning just kind of ruined the image for me. A beautiful period gown contrasted with her bright fuchsia hair is a very nice image, but then I saw the boots for a split second. I think a pair of "granny boots" or something with less of a platform would have been more appropriate. But, like I said, that's a rather shallow quibble and just a matter of my personal taste.
The only other problem (I think) I had was the ending. It's so open-ended and unsatisfying for the viewer. Maybe that's the intention, though (which is why I say I think it's a problem, when it really may not be). We don't solve our problems or find answers so easily, so why should the video pretend that we do? It's just an abrupt ending that it almost makes me think there might be a sequel sometime down the road, especially with the symbolism of her following the train tracks at the end.
Overall, I really like the video (the song alone is wonderful) as I can sit here and analyze it all day long. My brain likes symbolism and overthinking! And can I just point out that I am entirely jealous of Miss FD's waist and corsets?
Click to viewIf there was ever a visual metaphor for disparity, yin and yang, and opposition, "Moment of Fade" by Miss FD (directed by Adam Alvarez) is it. Everything is in opposition in the video, from the opening scene of Miss FD herself in a black Victorian-esque dress (a mourning gown?) walking across a graffiti-covered cityscape to the contrasting clips of her in a white gown (wedding dress?) surrounding by waves and sand. Sadness in an urban setting, joy(?) in nature, a dark ensemble against the brightness of the grass, graffiti, and (of course) her hair, a woman out of her time and place in both settings.
The way I see it, the song is most definitely sing towards a person, but coupled with the video, I see it as more of a spiritual communion. I see the white gowned Miss FD as the embodiment of innocence or hope, while the black-frocked persona is sadness and torment. The box itself is a nod to Pandora's Box of Greek mythology. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Pandora was given a box that contained all the sins and evils of mankind as a wedding present by the gods (and you thought that toaster you got was a bad gift :P). Being the curious lass that she was, she peeked inside the box (technically a jar, but whatever) and all the evils escaped. She closed it back just in time to save Hope, the most precious of all. In that regard, the white-clothed Miss FD is a representation of that Hope, while the one in funeral attire is searching for the key to let her alter ego out. Or perhaps the "white dress" is the innocence lost in this crazy, insane world and Miss FD is simply trying to reclaim it.
Going deeper into my over-analytical mindset with this video, the "white dress" does the majority of the singing while the "black dress" (it's just easier to refer to each persona like that xD) wanders through a deserted city searching for the key that will open the box. Only when she reaches the limit of her frustration do both personas begin singing together, perhaps symbolizing the harmony of joy/innocence paired with sadness and pain that makes us human. Or not....
Anywho! The direction of the video is actually quite stunning. Mr. Alvarez has some talent for framing and focusing, letting Miss FD tell her story without trying to overdo it with fancy gimmicks or flashiness.
I really like this video, but I do have a couple of quibbles. First is a rather shallow one, but the boots Miss FD wears in the beginning just kind of ruined the image for me. A beautiful period gown contrasted with her bright fuchsia hair is a very nice image, but then I saw the boots for a split second. I think a pair of "granny boots" or something with less of a platform would have been more appropriate. But, like I said, that's a rather shallow quibble and just a matter of my personal taste.
The only other problem (I think) I had was the ending. It's so open-ended and unsatisfying for the viewer. Maybe that's the intention, though (which is why I say I think it's a problem, when it really may not be). We don't solve our problems or find answers so easily, so why should the video pretend that we do? It's just an abrupt ending that it almost makes me think there might be a sequel sometime down the road, especially with the symbolism of her following the train tracks at the end.
Overall, I really like the video (the song alone is wonderful) as I can sit here and analyze it all day long. My brain likes symbolism and overthinking! And can I just point out that I am entirely jealous of Miss FD's waist and corsets?