In honor of today’s internet Radiohead-style release of Girl Talk’s new album, I’m going to liveblog it, because it seems appropriate. Let’s see how much of this turns into “name that tune.” I’ll try to make it moderately interesting.
Turned out kind of long. Scroll to the end for my incisive conclusions, after the break.
Play Your Part (Pt. 1)
nothing beats starting a mix with "Gimme Some Lovin" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxA3atHD2QM the mixing, eq, etc. are already noticeably better than the last album: all the various songs have their own little range of frequencies to live in. twisted sister. great. now weezy has officially been on the majority of records released this year. "Nothing Compares 2 U"/"Gettin' Some Head"--Stay classy there. "Big Pimpin'"--haven't heard this song in...Still Here
"No Diggity" into that MIA song that I can't remember something happened here that I don't remember "The Weight" -- take a load off of me and don't let this song go any longer oh shit, Ace of Base. kudos, Mr. Talk. At this point, it is very clear that Girl Talk is quite pleased with this new album; every part seems to be the kind of "aren't mashups just <em>fun</em>" thing that only turned up a couple times on the last album.What it's All About
Busta/Police mashup: nice listening, not very danceable. "Land of 1000 Dances" -- what is up with the retro stuff this time around? Faith No More -- I only recognize this song because it's on Rock Band. That Dawson's Creek song. cute. and yet another dramatic biggie/tiny dancer-style climax. He must have read that Pitchfork review. Okay, this part is fantastic: Jackson 5/some beatboxing thing, into the guitar solo from "Bohemian Rhapsody"Set it Off
I think this is the beat from Umbrella? I guess it's pretty generic. Jay-Z/Radiohead. This is something from the early days of mashups. a la "Christina Aguilera and the Strokes!!" The EQing is still impressive though; I wonder what his computer setup is now. More retro songs: can't name the decade specifically. Let's call it the Bar Mitzvah/Oldies Station-ties 2:20 I recognize this and want to hear the original song, but I can't remember what it's called! Fatman Scoop and Dexy's Midnight Runners: this is bad. Maybe if I was my 13 year old self again. "The Midnight Hour"--back to the oldies station-tiesNo Pause
YES: Fatman Scoop/"Work It" Some prog thing I can't remember. Oh yes: Spank Rock/"More More More" (or whatever that song is from the late 90s with the samples.) "I Want You To Want Me" -- bleh Jimi. That song from the macbook air commercial. How current!Like This
mixing got a little less good here. "Body Movin"/some other stuff "Ghetto Superstar": maybe he'll mix in "Islands in the Stream" oh. nope. But he did toss in the Carpenters, pitched up. And mixed into System of a Down, or something. WITH "LIP GLOSS" -- novel, but not great.Give Me a Beat
Styx - this must be the part I'm supposed to hate and then come to love ironically I think this rap was in <em>Night Ripper</em> "Gimme More"/Air-"Sexy Boy" -- it works, but I'm no longer doubtful that GT can make whatever he wants to work. it needs to be good too. we're heading for another "mashups are <em>fun</em>" climax... Of Montreal: if the hipsters lasted this long, they'll be glad (i.e. me) and the only way to use a sample from "Kiss" by Prince: one time, all of a sudden.Hands in the Air
Whoomp There it Is. And Hot Chip! the hipness continues YESYESYES: Yo Majesty! AND DAFT PUNK. Okay, I can get behind this part. Yo Majesty mixed with Daft Punk is basically the entire range and scope of my DJ sets. and with Michael Jackson on top! and Sly and the Family Stone! kill me. He is bringing it very hard here, and I'm okay with that. end it with a one-hit "Free Ride," nice.In Step
I'm thinking about how this would do in a party setting. I think it would be probably just as effective as Night Ripper, but with fewer of the poorly mixed/advised rock out bits, which is a plus. "Lithium"/Salt N Pepa - very 2001 mashup. "Do You Remember"-- "Everyone say Mazel Tov to Sarah!"Let Me See You
I knew we couldn't escape that Akon/Gwen Stefani song. Google now tells me that was a pun -- "The Great Escape" I think that was a tiny sample from "Word Up." I love that song since I heard it on the Austin Powers soundtrack when I was a child. "I'm a Flirt"/"I'm Gonna Get You" - I think he does these just to say "Hood Internet, you got nothin on this" and "Wild Thing," love this song. "Hustlin"/"Rebel Rebel" - it's okay. and new MIA. with the cranberries. cute.Here's the Thing
"96 Tears" -- more of that oldies stuff. Not that I don't like it; it's just quite noticeable. "Since U Been Gone"/metal - with just the extra beats, it's good. lose the sudden metal bursts. Oh wow, Elvis Costello. That's good.Don't Stop
I keep thinking I hear the intro to "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Wrong again. And Soulja Boy finally makes it in.Play Your Part (Pt. 2)
Now lets see if he can end it as well as <em>Night Ripper</em> "Lollipop" is in, as promised, mixed with "Under the Bridge" by the chili peppers. eh. ooh, "thunderstruck" -- ending on a fast note? oh, here's the slow part. it's that song with the piano from the 80s, you know? with the oohhhohhhhohhh lady? and "Pop Lock and Drop It." okay, this is nice. Well, that went fast.Overall, I'd say it's just as good as Night Ripper, less novel, but better produced. I'd listen to it again. Nothing stands out as much as the great parts did on Night Ripper, though. The method of release is interesting too, and warrants some checking in on in the future. Girl Talk is no Radiohead or Nine Inch Nails, in size of fan base or in type of music. We'll see if he can make it pay without the huge rabid followings, and in spite of the fact that the whole thing is made of samples. When you put in $0 on the form, they send you to a little survey question about why you don't want to pay:
I have opted to pay $0.00 because:
- I may donate later
- I can't afford to pay
- I don't really like Girl Talk
- I don't believe in paying for music
- I have already purchased this album
- I don't value music made from sampling
- I am part of the press, radio, or music industry
- Other reasons
Interesting to think about.
