There are things that happen every year that make me know that the music year has come to a close – music blog year end lists, NYE shows, newspaper retrospectives, etc. Recently, a new marker has been added to the year-end signals – DJ Earworm’s “United State of Pop” series. Comprised of a mash-up woven from bits and pieces of the top 25 songs of the year according to Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, it is always remarkably enjoyable and cohesive, especially given its diverse foundation.
To my knowledge, DJ Earworm has been doing this for only three years running. Listening to the three year-end mashes, it’s evident that he has only gotten better as time has gone by. 2007’s was a bit of a shaky intro to the genre. 2008 introduced a bit of bombast and grandeur. But in 2009, Earworm has really hit his stride – the tune is fun, enjoyable, and holds its own as more of a mash-up and less of a gimmick.
This point was particularly struck home to me when, while driving today, I heard “United State of Pop 2009” on a popular radio station in Philadelphia. There is no clearer sign that music is moving toward mash-ups, remixes, and features – not to mention the increasing interplay between the internet, music blogs, and popular radio – than that simple fact. Not to disagree with Ben here, but no matter how much I wish he were right I don’t think mash-ups and remixes are going anywhere, at least not in mainstream pop.
Anywho, I hope you enjoy this year’s United States of Pop. And I hope you enjoy using the 2008 and 2007 versions to look back at those years in Pop…it’s a fun little throwback to listen to them now.
DJ Earworm – United State of Pop 2009 (Blame It On The Pop) (YSI) (filesavr)
DJ Earworm – United State of Pop 2008 (Viva La Pop) (YSI) (filesavr)
DJ Earworm – United State of Pop 2007 (YSI) (filesavr)
8 comments:
Sorry mate but I would just like to point out that DJ Earworm is no bedroom producer who has only recently 'hit his stride'. Although 2007's United State of Pop was technically diverse, it was not what one would describe as 'a shaky start'. In fact he is an incredibly accomplished music producer who recently completed a mashup tying together all of Annie Lennox's career - upon her request. You really need to do a bit more research before making generic, sweeping statements like those made above.
Nick, I think you may be misinterpreting my meaning here. By no means am I suggesting that DJ Earworm is just some random guy throwing together mash-ups in his bedroom. I am merely pointing out that his United State of Pop series has gotten better and better each year. Perhaps 'shaky start' is harsh, but I find the 2008 year-end mix (and even moreso 2009's) to be far superior to 2007's, both technically and melodically.
It's worth noting that United State of Pop 2007 and 2008 really put him on the map as far as mainstream success - Annie Lennox commissioned his mash-up after those two mixes had been released.
Hey guys,
Jordan is an old friend of mine, and although it seems you aren't really in disagreement, I thought I'd throw in a few fun trivia facts.
When I first met Jordan some 12 odd years ago, he was actually an electronica composer. I was so in awe of his incredible mastery of techno music (not to mention he also had his degree in computer science) that I invited him to stay with me in SF and just compose music until he "was discovered," which I had no doubt would happen.
Well, I left San Francisco many years ago, and Jordan and I don't catch up as much as we should, but I thought I'd share with you what I do know. Basically, you are both right:
He actually *is* some guy throwing together mash-ups on his laptop in his bedroom (which, last time I visited, was in an old SF mansion that had a long time ago been used as the "library").
He also *is* an incredibly accomplished music producer, as well as a brilliant composer and performer. Hearing him play his neo-classical compositions for solo piano is quite a treat.
He's also an accomplished wordsmith: his original lyrics are catchy and thought-provoking; the wordplay he weaves into his mash-ups provides yet another layer to admire and enjoy; and, of course, he literally did "write the book" on mash-ups.
Obviously, I'm not just his friend, I'm a huge fan. So much so that his delving into mash-ups in the music world inspired me to explore mash-ups in the world of the visual arts.
I started a group of like-minded artists on flickr (www.flickr.com/groups/visualmashups) called "Visual Mashups."
As the founder and administrator of the group, I have several times acknowledged DJ Earworm's importance to the formation of the group, although his inspiration was unknown to him for some time!
I have done a few visual arts mashups of him or inspired by his work, particularly his work with Annie Lennox, which you can see with my flickr art at www.flickr.com/photos/qthomasbower or at visualmashups.posterous.com (the somewhat sparse beginning of my blog).
Hope you found any of this story interesting!
Cheers,
QThomasBower
Chris and Nick -
I corresponded with Jordan yesterday and pointed this blog entry out to him. Chris, I'm sure you'll like to know that his comment was basically: "I agree; 2007 was a bit shaky."
But not to worry, Nick, in my response I assured him most of us don't think of the "technically diverse" song, as you put it, as shaky in the least!
LOL. Nice chatting with you guys.
- QThomasBower
Ha, that's pretty funny. Thanks for the informative comments Thom, and thanks for pointing us out to Jordan!
Nice Track and great post!
Kepp up the good work!
Abe
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