Andrew H. Walker, Getty Images Nine days after the deadly tornado that touched…
R.E.M. Pay Tribute to Buster Keaton in 'Mine Smell Like Honey' Video -- Premiere
- Posted on Jan 31st 2011 12:04PM by Steve Baltin
Warner Bros.
As bassist Mike Mills tells Spinner, videos have always been important to the group. "We figured if you were going to do them, you might as well do them well," Mills says. "We're also lucky in that Michael [Stipe] has a great visual sensitivity. He's really good with anything in the visual art world, so we started out ahead of the game."
Their latest visual opus is no exception. Directed by Dominic DeJoseph, the clip for 'Mine Smell Like Honey,' the lead single from the forthcoming 'Collapse Into Now' album, is an homage to one of the film industry's all-time greats. "With this one, it's a reference to the old Buster Keaton silent film kind of days of pratfalls and just watching people look like they're getting hurt when they're really not," Mills says.
Where did the concept come from? "There's a lot going on in that song," he says. "It's got a lot of propulsion and moving forward and so I think the idea of movement is what contributed to that video being like it is."
While the new album has fans extremely excited, R.E.M recently announced they wouldn't tour in support of the record. "We've made an album that we really love and I think it can sink or swim on its own, so I think we probably won't be doing any shows at all," Mills says. "We don't have any planned at this point."
"We're doing a bunch of videos for this record and they'll be non-standard; they won't be like the videos you used to see on MTV," he adds. "We had dinner with several of the guys who are making videos for this record and they were excited about it. I don't want to be the spokesman for their ideas; I'd rather wait for their videos to come out and let you see what they were thinking. But I know they're all talented guys and we're going to have fun with it."
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dp
While I was also expecting a rewound, edited fall down the stairs, the most shocking part is that that was Michael! I'm about the same age and have some gray in the beard too, but wow. Don't guess he really needs any false disguising to go incognito anymore. And this isn't negative, I love everything R.E.M. do, just wish they'd not wait so long between albums - and give us a tour! I want my kids to see them live before they quit for good. BTW, his "what" smell like honey?
April 14 2011 at 12:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
chrismenzies
hi,
when will be able to see video in scotland?!!!
hurry up!!!!
x
haystakt
1 reply to haystakt's comment
I've heard of Buster Keaton, so who's this band?
February 02 2011 at 3:06 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
daisy
Wow - I am embarrassed for you
February 02 2011 at 10:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
INGA
I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!! This single is balm to my REM loving ears, esp through these turbulent times. I was brought back to so many good days and feelings of my inner indistructable/so very fragile self, as only REM can do it. They always have a special place in my heart and head and I am soooo very glad to hear their soul again. So happy to hear you again!
February 01 2011 at 11:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Buster Keaton
1 reply to Buster Keaton's comment
Dear Sirs:
Please remove any reference to myself or the movies I made from further press releases or publicity materials promoting R.E.M.'s new art-rock music video. My primary goal as a writer/director/performer was always to entertain my audience. I see nothing in the "Mine Smell Like Honey" video evocative of me or my work, nor do I find anything about it entertaining. My life was hard enough. In the future, please, find another dead comedic genius to associate yourselves with and let me rest in peace.
Perhaps you were thinking of Michael Keaton.
Sincerely,
Buster Keaton
John Damien
How does one get away with posing as a dead genius? Should be pretty easy, except for the genius part. Your comment is so leaden and boring. Can't you simply enjoy the fun of something?
February 03 2011 at 7:10 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
ohmeibalzich
MTV hasn't played videos in over 10 years. R.E.M. was a staple of MTV in the 80's and 90's, not now though. They aren't Hip Hop, Rap etc. This song is probably one of their best in a while. Glad to see them back.
February 01 2011 at 8:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Pete
It's a site with a UK domain, but I can't watch the video in the UK. Riiight.
February 01 2011 at 1:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ian
Cant stream to the UK!!? Thats bullsh*t
February 01 2011 at 1:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
jjsmith
LOVE IT. LOVE THEM. they are like caviar of music. some people will never appreciate their genius. michael stipe's voice is a unique breath of fresh air in the world of bland sameness. please tour guys
February 01 2011 at 12:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Daniela
Unfortunately here in Italy I cannot see the video. I don't know whether it is a problem of non availability in my nation. I really hope to see it very soon.
On the other hand I am really disappointed about REM decision not to tour. For me it would have been really the first time to seeing them in concert!
OK, I will keep on watching them in videos!
18 Comments