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12/18/08 Union Pool - Jezebel Music Feature Brooklyn, New York
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Just in the (Saint) nick of time… (Zing!)
Team Genius releases music video for “Take Me Home”
Let’s recap: indie pop band from New York (by way of the Midwest); two brothers, two sisters, and some unrelated friends; dance-friendly nerdy beats, fun-to-frank (but never derisive) lyrics, merriment, tomfoolery, beers, and, apparently, bears.
The Team recently released a video for “Take Me Home,” off their self-titled debut album. I sat down to watch it and these are my thoughts.
A stream of consciousness stream of “Take Me Home”:
There’s Chad. He looks like a character from Zoobilee Zoo.
Chad’s waiting for the train. He’s just a bear underground, trying to get out of Brooklyn (is that not an existential dilemma we can all relate to?).
People are staring. A man dressed as a bear hardly seems worth a New Yorker’s attention. I would be thankful that he isn’t wiping his bum with a used surgical glove or performing a one-man interpretation of Annie Get Your Gun.
I love that view from the bridge. See it at night and you’ll understand why a rational, college-educated professional would share a pantry-sized apartment with seven music interns just to be in this city.
Chad is in Times Square. I just noticed that his bear hands have thumbs but not fingers, which makes me wonder how he buttons his shirt. Also, is he hairy underneath the shirt? These are serious, important questions.
The mood is exciting at first—Manhattan adventures! Then it becomes somber when Chad gets his camera stolen and is unable to hail a cab and has trouble with a map. What does a man-bear do when he’s feeling down? Does he find a place where everybody knows his name?
Of course.
This video has to be an homage to this video.
Some final thoughts:
“Take Me Home” (the song) is a little world weary and jaded. It seems to be about wanting comfort, sanity, someone to share in the apathy, and escape from the terrible distaste of youth. I get that (high five). The video is a little absurd and (so!) cute, but it doesn’t stray from the song’s message about finding a “home” that fits. In the end, bears need families too! (Even though they are not social animals and are often mean and scary.) Bears, bees, hipsters, whatever, we’re all the same inside (guts and feelings). Thanks, Team Genius!
An invitation:
Did you know that Team Genius is the Monthly Featured Artist at Jezebel Music? Indeed. For a chance to see the members dressed biblically, check out Jezebel’s holiday show Dec. 18 at Union Pool in Brooklyn, NY. While Team G may not officially endorse Christmas, they do encourage the wearing of festive sweaters, moustaches, and large adult diapers. More info can be found at the Jezebel website.
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