New Girl Talk Album Surprises, Breaks Internet

By Jett Wells Posted Nov 15th 2010 11:42PM

Girl Talk Returns Unannounced, Trucks Over Copyright Debate

Pop-Ed: He's baaaaccckkk! Girl Talk, a.k.a. mash-up mastermind Greg Gillis, stormed the web with the surprising release of his latest free album 'All Day,' a formidable follow-up to 2008's 'Feed the Animal.' Even though his music is controversial for sampling hundreds of artists into mash-up mixes, an act that seems aimed at prodding record labels, Girl Talk once again has proved nothing is going to get in his way.

So whom does the DJ include this year in his next epic installment? Try some big veteran names like Jay-Z, Ludacris, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Rihanna, Radiohead, M.I.A., Lil Wayne, Black Eyed Peas, some old brands like The Beatles, Iggy Pop, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, and some fresher faces like Miley Cyrus, Phoenix, Ke$ha, Kid Cudi, Drake, and yes, even Willow Smith gets a cameo. Once again, it's another great blend of new and old, hip-hop and classic rock that still gets crowds slamming into each other--the trademark that will seal Girl Talk's legacy as one of the most transformative artists of the post-Napster era. To find out all the songs and artists included on the mash-up bonanza, check out the album's Wikipedia page. And for an exclusive interview about the new album, read Spinner's Girl Talk Q&A.

On the surface, Girl Talk's music is just hundreds of snippets from copyright tracks strung together, but somehow no one has attempted to bring the man to court for violating "fair use." The reason, it seems, is that he discovered quite a loophole: he doesn't make money off the gratis albums and then there's the fact that he transforms the samples into non-destructive music. The DJ samples some artists that have a history of being involved in copyright cases like The Rolling Stones, but they'll probably let it slide. Labels could still technically sue him, but there's a reason no one has even tried: the legal costs would be more than what they would get in return.

Some wondered if Girl Talk would even come back and keep making mash-ups after getting so much flack, but he struck back with a bang, like some other musical anti-heroes (I'm looking at you, Kanye). Wouldn't it be an ironic turn of events if Kanye West and Girl Talk took the 1-2 crowns for albums of the year? It would be a refreshing change of pace.

The release of the album surprised everyone as the DJ told Pitchfork that he had an album coming at the end of the year, but no knew it was going to be Nov. 15. It's interesting timing considering it won't be much longer till spinmaster DJ Earworm releases his annual Top 40 mash-up before the end of the year. Who will be the DJ of 2010? Girl Talk already has a head start, so Earworm is going to have to step up his game.

In honor of the new album, Girl Talk launched his latest tour of live concerts on Nov. 12, trotting around the country until Mar. 23.

Listen to 'Down for the Count' >>