This is the last Mashstix Alternative Show. I like to personally thank G3RST for the amazing job he's done with the show (don't worry he's not leaving the team)
There is some good news with the bad however, as The Radio Stix Show will be back in full swing with a whole new crew... keep your eyes peeled! - Paul Stix
Rappy "shamelessly" presents this mashup, billed as an exercise in pure pop-cheese virtuosity. However there's actually a great edge running through it, thanks to some bittersweet sources including a perfect beginning from Lily Allen, and one of Hanson's under-rated ballads. Rappy builds interest as the track goes on, interplaying all of the five vocal sources in a classic DJ Earworm style - quite a feat in itself.
Cons:
The sources are of varying quality, which will detract ever so slightly from the cohesion in a mix like this. There's also about 20 seconds of unintelligible vocals from about 3:50, which oddly enough sound like they were the original "backing track".
Tips:
Bootlegs is bootlegs, and they're often going to sound like what they is. But if you're shooting for the stars, a little EQ or reverb can bring different acapellas just that little bit closer to a similar sound and tone. But then again, even Earworm's annual U.S.o.P.'s are peppered with the occasional "transistor radio" vox. So what am I saying? Not much.
Hey Rappy, many apologies for not reviewing this sooner, but I've been away for a couple of weeks. For those that don't know, Rappy has made two versions of this mash - the other is without the Baha Men and is more of a straight A + B mash - check out the forum. Personally, I prefer this one as 'Who Let The Dogs Out' gives a mash a whole new dimension - couldn't stop smiling when I first hear this! ;o) ...as stated in the forum, not a mash to be taken too seriously, but a hell of a lot of fun and, yes, welcome to Cheeseville!
Cons:
I love the way the Neil Sedaka mental gives the Bieber vocals a 60's feel and takes me back to when the world was black and white. Having donned my pop socks, mini-skirt and bee-hive, I'm swinging (o-wer) all round the room!! Any plans for a video for this one? Could make a great 60's throw back thang...
Tips:
Whether it be Wensleydale, Double Gloucester or good ol' Stilton, more CHEEEESSSEEEE, please!!
Using a creative approach in an attempt to mix three very disparate sources, this mash-up is a study in genre-jamming and trial-and-error experiment. It's refreshing to hear Rachman's hit from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack in a mash-up, and the Duran Duran refrains work very well here! However...
Cons:
Metallica doesn't work at all in this mash as Hetfield's vocals are out of key to various degrees: the verses have too many bum notes (e.g. at 1:00 and 2:17) and the refrain starting at 3:30 sounds postively awful! The Duran "doo doo doo" bits are out of key as well. Aside from these basic key clash problems, the mash is much too cluttered, with no breathing space for the backing vox, probably because you had no pure instrumental of "Jai Ho" to work with. Finally, extending the mash to almost 6 mins. just to include Metallica's "prayer" is unnecessary and self-indulgent, espeically considering that Hetfield's vox don't work in the first place. And I won't even get started on production values...
Tips:
As stated in the "pros", this mash is a study in trial-and-error experiment: the Duran Duran refrains work perfectly here, so it's a shame the mash is self-sabotaged by the Metallica key clash (which I'm surpised you didn't hear). Using different vocals for the verses, and allowing some space for the original "Jai Ho" vocals to shine, would vastly improve this mash. However, lacking a "pure" "Jai Ho" instrumental, you're probably going to end up with clutter no matter what you do. This should by no means discourge your willingness to experiment, which has worked so brilliantly for you in the past. Stay crazy, but tighten up, amigo!
Rappy, this a PERFECT match to me, song-wise.
Lily's vocals ride the backing really nicely.
I love how you've combined old and "new", both tunes are recognisable and for heaps of people that'll get you a few points right there.
Production and mastering is crisp as - it sounds *wonderful*.
I think the vibes of both vocals suit each other brilliantly too.
Cons:
It's a bit too long with too much Duran Duran for me, eg around 4:08, there's a few too many "save it til the morning after"s.
And there's 30 secs silence at the end.
But those are my only cons.
Tips:
The only tip i can suggest is a tiny thing, but it's jumped out to me each time i've listened to it - at the end of Lily's first verse, some echo (like there is after her other verses) would help the transition to Simon Le Bon's vocals. The backing is calling out for it, imho. As you've got echos elsewhere i assume you left it out on purpose?
Er, but other than that, nothing whatsoever.
Little story - One of my mate's is a builder and went to build a wall for a client - knocks on the door and Yasmin Le Bon answers it in her dressing gown. She turns round and shouts "SIMON, GET YOUR F*&CKING @RSE OFF THAT COUCH, THE BUILDERS ARE HERE". Hahaha. Nice.
Rappy has got to be the king of cheese. Not bubblegum pop music but serious cheese !
Throwing the theme from the 80's five minute wonder in the mash is interesting, and it gels surprising well with the Ne Yo vocals (for the most part). The coverart and title is a nice play on the TV theme also.
Cons:
There is the odd clash with this track, but its not the end of the world. BUT your obsession with tracks you can only find poor quality source material for is. It's a mistake that a lot of new people here are also making....so let me be clear....
Tips:
Personally I don't use anything less than 192 kbps, and I wont use DIY acapellas, unless I use them as part of the original instrumental your already using.
Even if I find an instrumental I want to use at 192 kbps, I will still scout around for a while longer looking for that elusive copy at 320 kbps.
Basically how do you expect anyone to highlight your talent in a club or on the radio if you haven't done everything you can to make it the very best possible quality.
Lastly, and this like the above tip is not just for Rappy who I know searched the ENTIRE web for a better quality version of that 90210 track. Don't ruin your finished mash by exporting or rendering with the volume peaking everywhere and distorting the entire thing.
A poker face mash-up, cool, I've not heard one of those before.
The Lady Gaga pella works well as a ballad, and this bootleg has a nice mellow vibe. great track matching.
Cons:
But...
You've let yourself down with the production. The nasty sibilance on the vocal (the sss sounds) make it unpleasant to listen to, and the filtered parts of the vocal are too quiet. Divide the pella onto two DAW tracks and process each seperately. EQ the main vocal parts reducing the high end from about 5k and amplify the filtered parts.
Tips:
Pump up the jam, Pump it up, while your feet are stomping and the jam is pumping. Look at here the crowd is jumping. Pump it up a little more, get the party going on the dance floor. See us that's where the party's at, and you'll find out if you're too bad.
Wow !!!! I think its my first time reviewing Mr. Rappy. First of all let me tell u something, this track lets me know that you are a talented guy, all the harmonic parts of the mash work very well and the combination of the sources used makes the track unique, happy and full of energy. I also want to mention the break down effect you use because i think it is great. I'm happy to listen your work Rappy !!!!
Cons:
The vocal key is dramatically changed comparing this with the original track, also the quality of the vocals and the instrumental used is really poor, i dont know if this is because of the player used to release this track or is the final mix you made.
Tips:
Rappy I'm happy to see and hear your progress as a producer, try to fix the voice key maybe by changing the instrumental key and work more on your quality of the track.
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