A few years back, I bought Jay-Z's Black Album, and, well, I fell in love. It is, to this day, one of my favorite albums, and, if you ask me, his best.Then I heard about the Grey Album. I downloaded. I listened. I paused.
To be truthful, I didn't get it.
The cadence of one song didn't seem to match with the other, and because I was so familiar with both albums, I couldn't break away from the expecting the same breaks and lyrics. My reaction to it made me feel disconnected and old.
However, YesButNoButYes, one of my favorite sources for online miscellany, published a list of mashups, and I went on a mashup walkabout. The product of my jaunt was a short list of mashup gems (click on links to listen):
How about a mashup of Grease and Snoop?
1. Disfunctional DJ - You're the One That I want in the Next Episode
(My favorite part is where Olivia Newton John says, "Better shape up... 'Cause I need a man" and someone shouts "SNOOP DOGG!")
2. Arty Fufkin - Crazy Logic (crazy-slow download speeds)
This mashup is the one that made me believe in the theory. These two songs are like peanut butter and chocolate.
3. DJ Axel - Real Back Poppin'
This mashup made two intolerable songs sound oh-so-good.
4. Party Ben - Hung Up On Soul
A good attempt at making Madonna's music even more melodramatic.
Someone once told me that it's impossible to think of one song and remember another. These artists not only disprove that thought, but they seem to have some sort of intentionally dual-channel mental jukebox. I'd like to dub it "audible synesthesia."
