Hey Indaba, it's been a whole week since we took at a look at some videos and this week I want to share with you one of my favorite ways to stay up to date with the big stories in the news: AutoTune.  As we all know (and some of us probably are sick of knowing), AutoTune is the effect of the moment, showing up in hip hop and pop songs like hand claps used to in the 60's.  And musical sketch groups weren't wasting any time cashing in on its potential.  One group in particular, The Gregory Brothers, have taken messing with AutoTune to an artform. Don't believe me, watch this.

I feel like it's almost stupid to analyze why this is amazing, but read on and I will!

So, to understand why this is so impressive to me, take a look at their first "AutoTune The News."

It's good, for sure.  But I think if you watch their latest you can see how they have evolved this form of musical comedy into something truly impressive. There's really no accepted term for it - remix comedy? found comedy? - but it's becoming one of the most dominant form of online comedy.  And AutoTune plays into it nicely: it's quick, it sounds good and it allows for professional sounding vocals on a shoestring budget.  Now, you can see in the first video they did with news clips, the "song" doesn't really evolve or return to a common theme.  It's funny to watch and listen to but I don't think it would draw my attention away from the thousands of cat clips online.  However, by the time they made video number 5, their artistry - yes, it's art.  If you don't believe me, try to do it one day - had really taken form. They have running jokes throughout - the smoking lettuce gag runs to the end - and the backing track is full and fun.  I can't wait to see what they have in store for us.  Well done, Gregory Brothers.  Oh, and way to go putting your music on AmieStreet!

See all their work on YouTube.