The Cold Cut

Be afraid... very afraid. Maxl Rackson

I love mash-ups. Its two for one. Buy one get one free. Whatever you want to call it. That is, when you are lucky enough to find a good one.

Either way, when executed well, a mash-up is elevated a level above the original songs. Generally, you have to search long and hard for a truly brilliant combo, but I've done the work for you. Enjoy, and think of the possibilities. In order of brilliance:

Rihanna/New Order- Shut Up On A Blue Monday (ComaR) (Link 2) (Link 3)
Simply genius. Whoever put two and two together should really quit their day job. This is one of the rare occasions where the songs fit perfectly together. Seamless. Rihanna becomes bearable- it must be a miracle. Listen, NOW!

Nirvana/Michael Jackson- Smells Like Billie Jean (Link 2) (Link 3)
Imagine: this is what MJ would sound like if his voice was a bit lower, and he wrote brilliant grunge music instead of sickly pop gems. And stopped screeching. Cha-mon-e.

Crystal Castles/Bloc Party- Hunting For Witches (Link 2) (Link 3)
A remix and a mash-up, this is good enough for a coveted spot in the list. Once again proving that Crystal Castles are 'so hot right now'.

Jackson 5/Guns N' Roses- Illiterate City (Divide And Kreate) (Link 2) (Link 3)
A five part harmony is a definite improvement over Axl's screeching. Chinese Democracy that, bitch.

Eurythmics/The White Stripes- Sweet Dreams Are Made Of Seven Nation Army (DJ Poly) (Link 2) (Link 3)
Yep. Another perfect combination. I personally would have put Jack a little bit higher in the mix, but its beautiful, regardless.

Britney Spears/Amy Winehouse- Detox (King Of Pants) (Link 2) (Link 3)
At times verging into discordant territory, this just about pulls it off. Its the combo of that baritone sax and the 'Toxic' beat.

Tell me when the links go down- I'll upload them again. Oh, and keep checking back- I'll be updating again today.

Just a very short post today... How frustrating it must be to produce consistently good music through many bands without receiving much credit for it. A tribute must go to the following:

- Damon Albarn: Albarn has been the driving force behind many successful projects over the last few years. After Blur broke up and Brit-pop dissipated, Gorillaz came out of the ashes. Face it: Gorillaz are original, a blend of rap and more mainstream indie... a daring combo, but it really works, and the records sell. Not content with one multi-million selling side-project, Albarn also assembled a group of legends with The Good, The Bad & The Queen (containing members from The Verve, The Clash and Afrobeat band Fela Kuti) , whose self-titled album is brilliant, if unassuming. With a Blur re-union on the cards, the grass couldn't be greener for this man.

Blur- Song 2
The Good, The Bad & The Queen- History Song
Gorillaz- DARE

- Billy Joe Armstrong: Lead singer and guitarist for Green Day, Armstrong has been a member of many bands over the years, even (supposedly) playing in a masked band called 'The Network' with the other members of Green Day. And lets not forget the Hurricane Katrina relief single 'The Saints Are Coming' which the band recorded with members of U2 for the aid appeal. After political album 'American Idiot', Green Day have claimed they already have 3 albums worth of material which is being cut into a new album as we speak... busy people!

Green Day- Basket Case
Green Day- American Idiot

- Jack White: You can forgive Jack for leaving The White Stripes for a bit- he probably got frustrated with Meg's mediocre drumming. Instead, he searched out some real talent and found Brendan Benson, with whom he formed The Raconteurs, penning 'Steady As She Goes' and a hit album. Okay, so rejoining Meg for 'Icky Thump' wasn't the best move, but I'm sure he'll come to his senses again soon...

The White Stripes- Blue Orchid