Jim James has unveiled the 2nd music video from his album Regions of Light and Sound of God: "State of the Art (A.E.I.O.U.)" following "A New Life" that had been released in conjunction with the album release during February earlier this year.
The song is built around a funky keyboard riff and some fatback drums, working against mainly straight forward and minimal guitar and bass parts that are introduced through the song and drive it forward. James' vocal prowess is highlighted with excellent production and the "A.E.I.O.U." chorus is about as strange as it gets but somehow seems to work. This seems to be the year of slow burn R&B, with artists embracing songs that have a quiet intensity that builds through the song in subtle ways, and this track is definitely a great example of that.
The video was created through a contest on genero.tv, which was won by members of the production company Clean White Lines based in San Francisco (credits listed below).
In an interview with Billboard, Jim James shared:
They did a really good job and it was a cool chance to have this kind of fan interaction process because I love people getting the chance to get their work out there through one of my songs... I grew up in a place -- Louisville, Ky. -- where there aren't too many opportunities for upcoming bands, so things like this are really cool. It's really exciting to me because it gives somebody a chance that might not have had a chance.
James did a similar thing with a remix album called A.E.I.O.U.R.E.M.I.X.E.S., where contest was held with the prize being $1,000 and inclusion of their track on the album alongside remixes by other well established musicians. You can hear that remix album right here on Zumc.
YouTube Description:
Uploaded on Oct 15, 2013
The official music video for Jim James "State Of The Art (A.E.I.O.U.)" from the album Regions Of Light And Sound Of God.
Buy on iTunes: http://smarturl.it/itunesJJ
Buy on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/amazonJJDirected by: Clean White Lines
Editor: Staci DeGagne
Director of Photography: Alexander Fletcher
Starring/Producer: Joe Barham
Featuring: Addison Brewer-Hay, TiNka Kalajžić Ines,Dave Malloure, Frances Reyes-BolingerDaylight come
Daylight go
How far will it reach
Ain't nobody know
When the dawn breaks
The cradle will fall
And down come baby
Cradle and all
Now I know you need the dark
Just as much as the sun
But you signin' on forever
When you ink it in bloodA.E.I.O.U.
E.I.O.U.
A.E.I.O.U.I used the state of the art
Technology
Supposed to make for better living
Are we better human beings?
We've got out wires all crossed
Our tubes are all tied
And I'm straining to remember
Just what it means to be alive
A life worth living
Now you can feel it in your chest
Buildin' like little birds
Just building up the nest
And you build it up strong
And you fill it up with love
And you pray for good rain
All from the lord aboveA.E.I.O.U.
E.I.O.U.
A.E.I.I sued my state of the art
Tech-nology
Now don't you forget it
It ain't using me
Cause when the power's goes out
I got over me
Cause the power's goin' out
I think the power's goin' out
I mean it, the power's goin' out
I really mean it the powers goin' out
Source: Jim James YouTube Channel
Via: Billboard
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