Video: Retro computers sing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody

shMerker

#1 – 2:01 PM April 20, 2009

This reminds me a lot of "Big Ideas (Don't Get Any)", a remix of Radiohead's "Nude" performed by some old computer hardware.

http://www.vimeo.com/1109226?pg=embed&sec=1109226

Laconic

#2 – 2:10 PM April 20, 2009

I know that this was done by somebody who took a lot of time to set it all up for my entertainment and I feel bad looking the gift horse in the mouth, but the timing is off on more than one occasion and the OCD part of me just can't let it go.

I think I'll stick to the 8-bit cover that's been making the rounds.
http://mafialligator8bit.com/?p=23

A New Challenger

#3 – 4:21 PM April 20, 2009

We are useful! We are fruitful! We are useful! Everything that boots is beautiful!

GeekMan

#4 – 4:26 PM April 20, 2009

Agree with Laconic.

This could have been really incredible, but the lax approach to rhythm and tempo and completely distracting, which is not easily excusable when you consider how well-known the song is.

Perhaps next time, have the machines perform independently, then merge the performances together, editing for timing and mixing.

Fang Xianfu

#5 – 5:19 PM April 20, 2009

The rhythm and tempos are a problem, but I think they could've been overlooked. What TRULY ruins this video for me are the human hands at 4:55 (why!?) and again right at the end.
What truly made this video charming to my mind was the fiction of all this computer hardware sitting somewhere, disused and unloved, putting together their own rendition of this song that's variously about death, hell, and a stark acceptance of unpleasant reality (and also a face-melting solo, but that fits less well with the image).
In short, I was willing to accept the timing problems because, well, they're just machines, what do they know about music? The hands ruined the whole thing.

gatetree

#6 – 8:03 PM April 20, 2009

This is great! I enjoyed it and laughed out loud. Very impressive use of dead technology to ruminate on death. I like your ideas and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. (Lighten up guys and enjoy something for what it is, instead of taking the fun out of everything).

foobiebletch

#7 – 7:00 AM April 21, 2009

Good work!

Guys, if you can build a better cover band from deprecated computer hardware -- do it and post a video of it somewhere.

jungleFish

#8 – 12:29 PM April 21, 2009

Seriously? Edit for timing and mixing? If you do that, you might as well just play the song on a MIDI keyboard. The whole point is that this is a "live" performance, although orchestrated, using some unlikely instruments.

I especially like the floppy drive bass/guitar. I never woulda though of that. I remember when that clicking sound would send shivers of dread down my spine as all my data was being systematically shredded. ;)

Personally, I like the way it's out of synch sometimes, and you see the hands as he's trying to adjust it. That's the whole point, IMO, that this is a bit difficult and requires finessing on the fly.

PS 8-bit remixes (using a music chip, you know, which is designed to produce music) aren't even in the same league as mechanical audio forced from non-musical instruments.