2004’s The Grey Album, a Jay-Z-meets-the-Beatles mash-up record produced by Danger Mouse (of Gnarls Barkley fame), proved that such a record could be commercially successful, but Girl Talk has taken the concept to an entirely new level. While most mash-ups come off, to some extent, as novelty items, Girl Talk records are hour-long collages every bit as fun and intriguing as the stunning palette of hip-hop and pop music samples from which Girl Talk (AKA Gregg Gillis, pictured) has pieced them together. The new Girl Talk record, Feed the Animals, contains some 300 samples in its 53-minute runtime. He’s got Flo-Rida rapping over Velvet Underground, P. Diddy rocking a Beach Boys sample, Missy Elliot and Faith Evans tag-teaming over Nu Shooz’ "I Can’t Wait," and Static Major crooning Lil’ Wayne’s "Lollipop" perfectly matched to the melody of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ "Under the Bridge." Like any true rock star, Gillis closes with a power ballad, letting UGK and Outkast take us home over Journey’s "Faithfully."
It’s mind boggling that Gillis has such an impressive mastery of this much material. Who listens to "Whoop There It Is" and thinks, "Wow, this would sound DOPE over some Big Country"? Who could possibly find a way to make Tone Loc’s "Wild Thang" fit seamlessly with Fleetwood Mac’s "Gypsy?" The best part: you can pick up a copy of Feed the Animals at the Illegal Art website under a "pay-what-you-like" system. Yes, that’s right –- you can get it for free and opt to "donate" money later if you feel suitably entertained. Which you will be, assuming there’s been any pop music in the past 30 years that you’ve enjoyed.
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No comments? Odd, as it’s a great album. It’s also a wonderful mood-lifter, as all those familiar hooks come on like a million (or, well, 300) unexpected highs.
I worked out to Feed the Animals last night. I was on the treadmill for 15 minutes longer than I meant to be because the album was so frenetic and energetic.
Just downloaded it – looking forward to hearing it!!
Ah, the commentary of silence.
Girl Talk is awesome. Just listening to the music on your own is cool, because you get that, “Cool! I love that song!” in places you wouldn’t expect it, but dude puts on an awesome live show as well. It’s well worth it.
Thanks for the link. Liked Girl Talk ever since a friend of mine introduced me to him a couple of years back. My favorite track not on this album is “Too Deep.”
Just heard of this group for the first time today. What fun! I’d love to see them in concert!
Good looking out, Mike. I’m always on the hunt for good mashups. (Can you do me a favor, though? Add another “t” to the end of “Missy Elliot”, and replace the “Thang” with its correct spelling “Thing”. Yes, I’m anal. Gracias.)
As great as Girl Talk is the live show isnt great, he just hits play really….would be near impossible to do it live, stilll fun though. The new album is good but as good as the last. Love that you could pay what you want for the album. It blows my mind sometimes what he comes up with