The Strokes Video Research

 The Strokes- Bad Decisons https://youtu.be/5fbZTnZDvPA?si=tJ6EIdZ8urhDBoo4

To accompany the release of their latest album, the new abnormal, the strokes released the music video for ‘bad decisions.’ The video takes the form of a 1980’s style infomercial, with the band being the product sold. The band are not seen as people in the video, but as objects that can be used for the benefit of others. This removes any individuality from the band and sees them as purely commercialised and only serving the purpose of benefitting others. This could be a reflection of the bands feelings towards loss of identity and commercialisation- as the salesman is making money off selling somebody else. This can reflect the music industry, as this man is a metaphor for the music label who control a band and its actions. This is done through the use of a button which summons clones of the band’s members. This button is decorated to fit the time period, with dangling gems reminiscent of 1980’s décor. This gives a nostalgic feel to the button, which is a common theme for the band- as they have features such as a early 2000’s style website. Iconography of older adverts are seen throughout the video, with text and phone numbers flashing up on the screen. These are typical of older adverts, as well as the aspect ratio as it would fit an older television, with static flashes on screen adding to the theme of an older tv. In the video, the band wear brown suits, which are matching and allow them to fit in as a group- helping to reinforce the idea of a lack of individuality. The video features many of these brown and muted yellow tones, this reflects common décor styles- helping to reinforce the authenticity of a 1980’s advert. The lighting in the video is interesting, as while featuring artificial lighting, the artificial lighting takes place inside the world of the video- meaning it can be considered as ambient and motivated lighting. Multiple locations are shown and used in the video, with the band placing themselves in the homes of many families. This reflects how The Strokes music has travelled across the country and reached large audiences. A sales studio is also shown, with workers taking calls and seen getting overwhelmed as they are sold. As things break down, cloning vats are shown with the members of the band inside- which links to sci fi and more futuristic aspects, this may link to the more electronic and synthy aspects featured later in the album.