Commercial Watch: Phoenix, M. Ward, Andrew Bird + more

November 19, 2009

It’s time once again to highlight some the hip, indie songs that soundtrack ads from cars, beers, phones, to climate change (you didn’t think the indie rock in commercials trend was going away, did you?). So for all you Hulu / DVR watchers that are missing out on all the joys of live television, here’s a few of the best songs that creative departments and ad agencies are harvesting for mass consumption. MP3s and link to video included.

Cadillac SRX Crossover (Watch)
I’d be willing to venture a guess that this is the most played commercial on TV these days. It seems like there’s rarely a commercial break that goes by where I don’t hear those huge, fuzzy synths blasting out of the TV screen. Not that I’m complaining though, “1901″ is one of the best songs of the year, and I’ll take any excuse to listen to it. I also think it’s funny that Phoenix’s crossover hit is being used to advertise a car called a Crossover.

MP3 Phoenix – 1901

***

Budweiser (Watch)
This Budweiser spot pokes fun at different bro greetings like the “fist pump”, “forearm grab”, and the “bro hug double-back tap combo” all while M. Ward and Ms. Gibbard’s tune plays in the background. Good song, but I still think that opening sounds too much like Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part 2″.

MP3 M. Ward – Never Had Nobody Like You (feat. Zooey Deschanel)

***

Vizio LCD HDTV (Watch)
This is probably the most coolest looking commercial out of this batch, with some great photography and effects. The ad shows images of everyday things that form the letter “V” all while showing off the brighter color palette of their LCD HD TVs. Aussie duo Empire of the Sun, provides the bouncy electro pop track, which complements the video well.

MP3 Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People

***

Repower America: Alliance for Climate Protections (Watch)
Repower America is the company that put out that ad of the old farmer guy in the green hat who wonders why we’re sending billions of dollars overseas instead of using clean energy. Their new ad campaign features famous people like Sheryl Crow, Al Gore, and Ted Turner talking about climate change backed by the wonderful Andrew Bird song “Heretics”. You think they realized the chorus to that song is “Thank God it’s fatal”?

MP3 Andrew Bird – Heretics

***

Lincoln MKT SUV (Watch)
Nicole Atkins recently did a cover of The Church’s “Under The Milky Way” also, but it was Sia’s dreamy version that made it into this commercial for the Lincoln MKT.

MP3 Sia – Under The Milky Way

***

T-Mobile (Watch)
Architecture in Helsinki seem to have a good thing going with phone companies. “Souvenirs” from the band’s debut album, Fingers Crossed was used in a Sprint commercial a couple years back and now T-Mobile are hitting up the same album for the track, “Fumble”. I’m just waiting for one of them to get their hands on the band’s best album, In Case We Die. Can you imagine “It’5!” in a Vonage commercial?

MP3 Architecture In Helsinki – Fumble

Let me know if there’s any other good commercials out there I’m missing.

Posted by Taylor in Television