CRITICS CORNER: GETTING HOT UNDER THE COLLAR WITH GIRL TALK

A new strand that gives an open floor for a guest contributor to generally go off on one.

First to clamber up the Bonafide podium, finger jabbing, hectoring and schooling us, is Adam Hutcheson and his response to Girl Talk who is currently pushing his new LP All Day

Recently I was re-watching one of my favourite music based films; Almost Famous and enjoying a scene where a highly likeable, young and idealistic music journalist is discussing the ‘death rattle’ of rock and roll with an older, more cynical journalist played by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Amongst his startling ramblings one phrase sticks out as I listen to Girl Talk… An Industry of Cool.

To understand sampling is to understand the roots and rebellion of hip-hop. I’m not doubting Girl Talk’s understanding. I just can’t listen to this.

This is like eating pick and mix versions of all your meals. Like eating a glutenized banana instead of a real banana, like those weird Haribo burgers I once got in France where all the ‘ingredients’ are made of shite, rainbow-coloured jelly.

The bloggers’ have reacted like Bieber fans, pushing Girl Talk to be in four of the top 20 spots on Hype Machine (not that these charts should matter). The much feared Industry of Cool is darkening the door of our secret club; our refuge away from the radio and MTV.

The frustration comes the sense of exploitation I feel has occurred. He has given it away for free, mainly because he would never get sample clearance. But that doesn’t make him Robin Hood. Girl Talk is an Urban Outfitter’s dream. A trending topic that does not deserve a reputation for anything more than snidey plagiarism of our favourite artists. There’s little craft here, in comparison to artists such as RJD2, Flying Lotus and Madlib. In my view he’s managed to produce some of the most vulgar rap vs rock, moron-erection tracks I’ve ever heard. This is X-Factor level mash-up stylings. Indeed I fully expect him to produce Cher Lloyd’s debut album.

Filed under: Critics Corner, Reviews by J.G.