These days it’s a hackneyed statement: “There’s quality entertainment on the Web, but most of it is truly terrible.” Turning this idea on its head, OurStage siphons the quality from the amateur by allowing a voting public to dub monthly winners in music, film and a soon to come photography category. Below are a selection of music videos from the May competition that caught our eye for their innovation, technique and flat out silliness.  

Directed by Gina Niespodziani, this stop-motion animation music video utilized 2,400 photographs of artwork produced on a Lite Brite. Standout for its impeccable timing and imagery, the video exudes a pop energy that's playful and innocent, a throwback, just like the Lite Brite, to how lovely and sweet first love is. Check out the band at www.pleaserock.com.

There's a stilling and humbling quality to director Karina Garcia Casanova's music video for Ensemble's Disown, Delete. With vocals by Cat Power, the quiet yearning of the song contrasts starkly with the violence of videographer Rich Horodner's hurricane footage. A visual dance, the cuts hypnotize and seduce, in equal parts lulling and repeling, reminding us just how gracefully turbulent the world is.

OK Go trademarks cool in music videos, the popularity of the treadmill video for Here It Goes Again only one example on the list. With Maybe, This Time, the pop plays perfectly with the video's utter goofiness. It's hard to help but love. Check the band out at www.okgo.net.

Responding to the soundtrack quality of The Walls' To the Bright and Shining Sun, directors Heroes for Zeroes pulled together a video that draws strength from its beautiful cinematography, varied Dublin landscapes and a quiet and lovely performance by actress Sarah Green. Check the band out at www.thewalls.ie.

Wonderful parody? We think so.

For more information visit www.ourstage.com.

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