UK DJ Mark Vidler, of Go Home Productions, conceived "Rapture Riders" in the shower - "'Rapture' came on and for some ungodly reason I started singing 'Riders On The Storm' over it, in my head." Featured on the new compilation Blondie Greatest Hits: Sight and Sound - Sound and Vision (Pitchfork review), "Rapture Riders" is one of the first mashups to actually see an official release. "Rapture" sets the beat, with a couple Doors' guitar solos thrown in, while Jim Morrison's vocals serve as the chorus to Debbie Harry's hip hop verses. Its airplay ranges from dance clubs to NPR. It's a major step for mashups, and Vidler - who was signed by EMI last year to produce an album of mashups from "cleared" samples - seems to be the vehicle to bring them to a greater audience. This is exciting - for those, like me, who love mashups; but, it is also somewhat threatening.Though the original mix of "Rapture Riders" was created - like so many mashups before - on a PC, that fact that Vidler is signed to EMI ensures that he can work in a studio, with an insane array of audio tools at his disposal. Listening to "Rapture Riders," the sound is so crisp, the sync is so perfect that it is almost annoying. The flaws and the challenge of syncing up various samples with limited resources is what makes the best mashups so exciting. "Rapture Riders" adds additional new dance beats, removing a great deal of the challenge. The fact that it is sanctioned by the record company takes away a bit of the rebellious nature of the art form. (Danger Mouse and Party Ben both received cease-and-desist letters from record companies, for the Grey Album and American Edit, respectively, raising an interesting debate regarding copyright law and how it can hold back artistic progress).
I enjoy "Rapture Riders," though that enjoyment waivers with subsequent listens. I am excited, however, to see record companies recognizing mashups as legitimate, and seeking to license them - as opposed to shutting them down. I'm interested to hear your thoughts - is this the beginning of the end? or a great next step?
::Previous Mashups::
1:"Hung Up on Soul (Minus Maddy Edit)," Party Ben
2:"Hung Up on Soul," Party Ben
6 comments:
Are you a fan of these mash-ups Will ?
Ben, good to see you again. I am a fan of mashups in general - The Grey Album was what got me hooked. Party Ben (PartyBen.com) tends to do really good mashups; I myself have given it a shot, but have found it rather challenging.
I admit to a huge degree of ignorance about mashups. I did just recently hear Love Will Freak Us - Joy Division vs Missy Elliot. It's not bad - it's really just her lyrics over the Joy Division chords. A few Ian Curtis vocals in there as well would have been better.
I'll have to check that one out ... yeah, I like ones that mix the vocals. What do you think of this one?
I actually quite liked it! Bear in mind that I know nothing about mashups, and could not deconstruct it the way you can. But I was grooving to it. I think the mix of vocals really makes it better.
I'm probably politicizing it too much.
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