Music Video Review: Eli Young Band's “Guinevere”

By our guest blogger, Megan O'Malley

The Eli Young Band has hit the jackpot when it comes to country ballads. The soulful voice of the lead singer and the overall feel of “Guinevere” make it a song that every 14-year-old girl will swoon to. Accompanying the song is a video that does not tread on any new territory, but which successfully captures the mood and somberness of the “Guinevere” as a whole.

Jumping between a seemingly sweet and lost young woman with her guitar and the band playing in a train yard, the simplistic tone of the video fits right in with the lyrics of the song. Not to the point that they are creating a shot-for-shot visual representation of the song, but more in overall feel. The crescendo of the song comes during the chorus and as the lead singer croons on about how Guinevere stumbles but keeps running, a train passes by, giving the viewer a sense of adventure and sadness.

Only one real flaw in “Guinevere” comes towards the end, when the girl of the video is dancing with sparklers in the train yard. Although some of the shots are beautiful, the overall effect contrasts with the sadness of the song. As a whole, the video for “Guinevere” fits perfectly with the song, making the overall package more enjoyable.

This song comes off of the Eli Young Band’s first major release, “Jet Black and Jealous.” While other groups may choose more upbeat poppy songs for singles, the soulful route of “Guinevere” fits in smoothly with the country music scene. When a singer injects himself into the song, it gives the piece a more realistic and heartfelt feel--this is what happens in “Guinevere.” Combining these heartfelt lyrics with a shot of vocalist Mike Eli’s yearning face makes it seem as though he was singing just for her and not for the camera crew. The trick is not new--Snow Patrol did it in “Chasing Cars” and Edwin McCain did it in “I’ll Be.”  The Eli Young Band has created a wonderfully sappy country ballad with “Guinevere” and the video created for the song helps to make it a lovely little country hit.

Grade: B+

View the video for "Guinevere" below.  What are your thoughts?