Both Ryan and I have downloaded and listened to the new Girl Talk album, Feed the Animals. It’s not quite within my preferred comfort zone for music but I’d heard so much about it I decided to give it a shot.
The verdict? It’s impressive, but I can’t see going back to it often. There’s not much of a “wow, what a great song!” factor for me versus the whole, “Amazing – there are hundreds of samples in this 30-second clip!” reaction.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, Wikipedia lists all of the samples. My favorite is probably Missy Elliott backed by Nu Shooz overall.
Posted in Television, Movies, and Music
Ryan September 18, 2008, 1:16 am
I thought the Michael Jackson sample the beatbox backdrop was kind of good.
Overall, it was a decent megamix. For straight hip-hop megamixes, the top award has to go to Chris Read’s “The Diary” which is 80 minutes and features 801 (!) songs. It was almost three years in the making.
In terms of mixes with a variety of sources like Girl Talk’s, Mike the 2600 King did a really solid mix around 2000 that was released on a a hand-spray painted cassette.
The main reason I purchased the Girl Talk album was for the political/artistic statement it’s making. It’s vitally important that albums like this are legal to make and release. Art is always based (in some way) on previous art and preserving that ideal is essential.
Dave Walls September 18, 2008, 5:33 pm
I hadn’t even heard of GT before last week, when I was in a friend’s car, and he played the new album. I have to say that, while I enjoy it, it’s something that is will lose it’s appeal over time, for sure. The mixes are clever, and I totally agree with Ryan, it’s extremely important that albums like this continue to be made.
Decent, but not legendary. I’ve been told the rest of the GT catalog is worth exploring for tighter mixes. I can’t comment on that, having not heard one.