2010 February » Hello World

Project Alpha 28

Feb 212010

We’re done with remixes for the moment. Now we’re back to mashups! But first, an interlude regarding what, exactly, a mashup is. My friend Dan shared “Don’t Stop the Sandman” with me–it’s a combination of “Enter Sandman” and “Don’t Stop Believin’“, performed by a ridiculous band, Rock Sugar. Dan wondered whether this arrangement was, technically, a mashup–might it instead be a medley? Dan said that he thought of a mashup as “a strictly post-production creation whereas a medley is a single performance combining multiple songs.” By that logic, “Don’t Stop the Sandman” would be a medley. I respect that argument, but I believe it is wrong. I think a medley is multiple songs performed/recorded consecutively, while a mashup comprises multiple songs edited/played so that parts of each play concurrently. So because the vocals of “Don’t Stop Believin’” overlay the instrumental portion of “Enter Sandman”, “Don’t Stop the Sandman” would be, in my view, a mashup–albeit one performed rather than edited.

This brings us to today’s song. Continue reading »

Project Alpha 27

Music No Responses »

Feb 202010

Another remix today. Yesterday I mentioned that Lily Allen’s first album was one of the best of the last decade. But guess what, folks, today’s featured artist had an even better debut! Another British artist, Bloc Party, released Silent Alarm in 2005, and I don’t exaggerate when I tell you that every single song on it is better than Mozart’s entire catalog. Obviously that’s nonsense, but speaking seriously it’s a really, really good album. Here are some links to a few of the best songs on the album: “Banquet“; “Helicopter“; “This Modern Love“.

But guess what, you guys–after releasing an incredible record they didn’t just rest on their laurels. They sanctioned an entire album of remixes^*, creatively called Silent Alarm Remixed, and in my opinion it’s EVEN BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL!!!!! Seriously, it’s a more interesting, vibrant, challenging collection of songs than Silent Alarm, an album that’s already one of my favorites. There are awesome, transformative remixes of all of the songs I listed above (this one, this one, and this one, respectively). And as you have surely figured out by now, I’m about to show & tell another great song off the album. Continue reading »

Project Alpha 26

Music 1 Response »

Feb 192010

It’s finally time for a Lily Allen song! Ms. Allen’s first album, Alright, Still, although its title is [sic], was a breath of fresh air. I’m a sucker for British pop (expect to see more of it pop up later in this series), and I don’t know if there’s been a better such album in the last decade or so. Her followup, It’s Not Me, It’s You, is not the masterpiece of its predecessor, but it has quite a few good songs on it, and today’s remix, by some DJ named Christian Borbau, is a nice take on “The Fear” (22 million views on YouTube, holy crap), Allen’s first single off that album. Borbau’s remix throws some goofy effects and looping at the original and comes up with a kind of dreamy, oddly assertive take on the tune. It’s not a huge departure but I was really looking for some way to get a Lily Allen song on here, so thank you Mr. Borbau for that.

Here’s the song: The Fear (Christian Vorbau Remix) – Lily Allen

Project Alpha 25

Music No Responses »

Feb 182010

Here’s another song from Verve Remixed 2–”Fried Neckbones (and Some Homefries)”, as remixed by Dan the Automator (the original, by Willie Bobo, can be heard here). I don’t have anything to say about this one, either–it’s just a smooth, enjoyable remix of an old classic. You should go ahead and listen to it now: Fried Neckbones (and Some Homefries) – Willie Bobo (Dan the Automator Remix)

Here’s a streaming version of Bobo’s original:

Project Alpha 24

Music No Responses »

Feb 172010

Today we have a remix with a horribly stupid name, which I think I’ve heard in half a dozen action movies taking place somewhere in Europe. I’d guess that most people who recognize this song assume it’s the original recording, because it’s omnipresent. It’s Felix Da Housecat’s “Heavenly House Mix” of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman“, which is a pretty good song on its own. The remix, off Verve Remixed 2 (don’t be surprised to hear more songs from these albums later), is basically a techno/electronica beat that loops the vocals and piano from the original quite nicely (although, just between us, I don’t think it really needs to be quite so long). Just go ahead and listen to it: Nina Simone – Sinnerman (Felix Da Housecat’s Heavenly House Mix)

Project Alpha 23

Music 1 Response »

Feb 162010

I had a lot of trouble finding any information about today’s song, which I acquired many many years ago and knew nothing about. It’s a remix by The Rip-Off Artist of Dean Martin & Julie London‘s “Sway“, apparently off of the album Electro Lounge. I’ve heard it here and there on TV and in movies, but nowhere I can think of right now. Anyway, the first time I heard this I was amazed and kind of scandalized that someone would take a hacksaw to such an old song, but I got over it.

Here it is: Sway (Rip-Off Artist Remix) – Dean Martin & Julie London

Here’s the original:

Project Alpha 22

Music No Responses »

Feb 152010

Aw crap, I’m late! Sorry, folks. Anyway, today’s song is a bit of a cheat and is only marginally related to yesterday’s post. It’s remix week over here and rather than start with a legitimate remix I’ve decided to just give you an awesome song that has “remix” in the title. I mean, it is a remix, but it’s not one of those things where someone records a song and then, later on, somebody else chops it up and releases a remix. Here, the remix is the artist’s own extension of the original, and seems to have been part of the plan from the beginning.

Project Alpha 21

Music 1 Response »

Feb 142010

Our deep dive into the magical world of covers concludes (for a while) with a cover of a cover. This, on its own, isn’t actually that unusual–think of David Cook’s cover of Chris Cornell’s cover of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” (described in mind-numbing detail in our 11th installment). But David Cook was really doing a note-for-note imitation of Chris Cornell’s interpretation. Today’s song takes an already-transformative cover and runs it through a second metamorphosis.

We begin with a musical legend, the Once and Future Prince, who wrote and first recorded “Nothing Compares 2 U” as part of The Family, which a bit of googling reveals was just a splinter group of The Time (minus Morris Day) whose sole purpose was another outlet for Prince’s unsupressable creativity. Anyway, here’s where I’d show you what their version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” sounded like, but the internet (or maybe just Prince’s legal team) won’t provide it, so unfortunately you’ll have to take my word for it that it’s rather different from the cover I’m literally about to discuss.