First posted on Mark Is Cranky:
There's always been controversy. DJ's started scratchin' Was that 'music'? Rappers started samplin' What, that music?
Now we come to the culture of the remix taken to its ultimate end: the mash-up. The phenomenon has been around for well over a decade. Last year, though, a new controversy emerged when DJ Danger Mouse mashed Jay Z's Black Album with the Beatles' classic White Album. The result was The Grey Album. EMI records was not pleased. Too bad, really, because the Grey Album was a load of fun and could have been used to generate more interest in both Jay Z and the Beatles. It was a blast to hear "modern" music folded into an old favorite.
Oh well, cease & desist it is. Not that it mattered. Support for the concept resulted in a mass-download day dubbed Grey Tuesday.
So here we have a "legitimate" mash-up again featuring Jay-Z's stuff run headlong into Linkin Park.
I'm pretty well shocked at the results. While I'm a fan of Jay-Z, Linkin Park has mostly left me cold. So, like folks in those old Reece's Peanut Butter Cup ads, I'm blown away that these two things taste so great together. Jay-Z's rapping, which can have a cool sorta-swing to it, gives the Linkin Park material a huge lift. Right from the start, "Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You" just plain rocks. On its own, I get kinda bored with songs like "Lying From You" because of the monochromatic nature of the sound, the only dynamics coming from the quiet/loud juxtapositions. Add Jay-Z to the mix and Linkin Park's guitar sound explodes in proximity to his rhymes.
The combination of "Numb" and "Encore" is similarly impressive, while "Izzo" and "In The End" actually sound like they might have been written by the same artist. By the time I got to the closing "Points Of Authority/99 Problems/One Step Closer", that danged volume control had edged its way dangerously close to the ear damage region...and that is always a good sign.
Article comments
1 - bettergetter
Good job with the review Mark. I've been wearing this CD out (and loud at that, so I'm sure the neighbors are just loving it). I wish it was a little bit longer than 21 mins. I haven't had a chance to check out the DVD ... have you? I was trying to think of some other funky mash-up possibilities:
http://bettergetter.typepad.com/bettergetter/2004/12/mashups_better_.html
Got any ideas? Wouldn't it be awesome if there was a site that had just vocals and instrumentals with a fader to make your own mash-up.
2 - Mark Saleski
thanks.
i haven't gotten to the DVD yet.
i've run into some pretty cool mashup sites.
check out Evolution Control Committee
i'm a big fan of things like Plunderphonics, so a pop music version of it rubs me the right way.
3 - Temple Stark
99 problems and a bitch ain't one. I've been hearing that song.
You didn;t say it was only 21 minutes.
Anyhoo Mark,
I have posted your review to Advance.net, which collectively is read by hundreds of thousands per week. The link there is just to the Cleveland site.
Thanks for the intro to mash. Temple Stark
4 - Kevin
Linkin Park was awesome until....Collision Course. I mean... We used to be able to listen to Linkin Park, but now we can't. Why? Because they swear!!!!!!!
IT'S A HORRIBLE INFLUENCE!!!!!
5 - Mark Saleski
interesting.
i've never been able to listen to Linkin Park (until Collision Couse) because i would fall asleep and hit my head on the floor.
6 - jonjon
Okay... so this CD was the stupidest idea ever. Jay Z sux ass and he messed it up for Linkin Park. Yes, LP does need a little more variety in their music, but teaming up w/ a rapper was a retarded idea. Probably one of my least favorite CDs.
7 - linkinpark_lover01
hey everyone well i'm a major linkin park fan and i think this album is okay but i wish linkin park would produce a next album as just a band together they make great music and i don't know why there taking so long to make a next group album. i like this album cause watching mike's reaction to singing with jay-z is amazing he's so happy. mike's so sweet and he deserves to be that happy. hope u like the album too!
8 - Luke
what do you mean taking so long? anything shorter than 3 years between albums is a pretty quick turn around, not many bands can bring out consecutive albums with under 2 years between without choosing quantity over quality.
9 - DAvid
u guys shut the hell up i was a never a likin park fan bt ever since their collision course they've grown on me now i love dem so dudes they did it deal wiv it
10 - georga dubs
yall are retarded this cd shows jay-z n linkin parks talent but it was to far ahead of its time.
11 - jake
LINKIN PARK IS KICK ASS!!!
12 - Angelina
LINKIN PARK RULE AND ALWAYZ WILL
I think its great to try something different
Yes its a bit of a random choice
However i think it sounds great
13 - Ian
BEST ALBUM EVER