Pitchfork just released their 50 greatest videos of the decade and while I agree with many on the list, I feel it’s somewhat myopic in scope. It’s as if generated to be more about the 50 greatest videos by the bands we like and or are “hip” to us. It’s too subjective; clearly catered to the audience pitchfork hopes to (and probably does for the most part) have influence over. Reading over their list of top 50 greatest vids of the decade, I’m convinced they put it together in 5 minutes because they left out some of the greatest videos EVER made, let alone in the last ten years.

Here are the top ten greatest that Pitchfork left out. Keep in mind, I direct videos, so I’m approaching this subject from a certain critical vantage point. I don’t necessarily like the artist OR THE SONG in some of these selections, however I can always recognize a terrific music video.

Unfortunately, YouTube has disabled embedding for many of these clips, so I’ve linked them all for your enjoyment.

In no particular order:

A Perfect Circle – Judith (Director: David Fincher)
Fincher set the new standard for the rock performance video with this one. Bands have been miserably unsucessful in their attempts to copy the vibe and energy of this video.

The Strokes – Reptilia (Director: Roman Coppola)
The absence of The Strokes on the Pitchfork list baffled me. Coppola succeeded in telling us all we needed to know about these guys in precise, clean cinematography of messy hair and filthy white shoes. I love this video.

The Horrors – Sheena Was a Parasite (Director: Chris Cunningham)
After a hiatus from music vids Chris Cunningham returned, proving that while he may have lost interest in the medium, he’s still a master of it. He pulled some group that he found on myspace called The Horrors out of the swamps on anonymity and paid out of his own pocket to create this bizarre and creepy gem. Perfect coalescence of imagery to music.

Deftones – Minerva (Director: Paul Fedor)
In a clear homage to Pink Floyd, Paul Fedor braved a night shoot in the desert to craft this stunning beauty. Amazing cinematography and mood. The slow dolly moves succeed in accelerating the already dramatic swells of this song. He actually cites Fincher’s Judith video as inspiration (see what I mean?)

Jay-Z – 99 Problems (Director: Mark Romanek)
This is probably the biggest faux pas by Pitchfork. Romanek made the greatest rap video of all time with Hova (well, second to Dre’s G Thang IMO). Seriously…this may be THE greatest video of the decade.

Christina Aguilera – Fighter (Director: Floria Sigismondi)
Yeah, I’m saying it. This X-Tina video is fantastic. Floria Sigismondi (one of the greatest music video directors of all time) celebrates the feminine dark side with lush imagery, sharp photography and gorgeous art direction.

Coldplay – Yellow (Director: James & Alex)
Simple and iconic. Chris Martin is a star about to explode in this video.

Outkast – Hey Ya / B.O.B. [tie] (Director: Bryan Barber)
Really Pitchfork???

Justin Timberlake – Cry Me a River (Director: Francis Lawrence)
The combination of star quality, impressive choreography, intense cinematography and a wonderful gimmick makes this video a Pop thrill to watch over and over again.

Johnny Cash – Hurt (Director: Mark Romanek)
This video leaves me with the dense chills of watching a two hour long documentary of Cash in only a few minutes. This piece is greater than the medium.