Forget about the controversy surrounding the hijacking of a classic Beatles album. Forget about the misuse of the “final” lyrics of one of Hip-Hop’s premier rappers. In Super-heroic fashion, DJ Danger Mouse took it upon himself to combine the 1968 Beatles White Album, and blend it with Jay-Z’s 2003 Black Album, to produce a refreshingly original, and wildly experimental piece of artwork called The Grey Album. Unlike most typical culture blending efforts, Danger Mouse succeeds in smelting the two genres in a much more significant way than simply laying a blaring guitar track behind a lyricist, or having a rapper throw down versus over a totally non-Hip Hop rock beat. The DJ actually brings the ‘bad-ass’ element of the 60’s album, and makes it relevant to 2004, in a good way, reminding us all that no matter where pop culture is coming from, or where it’s headed, there is always a connection that can be made in the culture of music.
The standout tracks include: “What More Can I Say,” which is backed by a slowed down and looped version of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” with “Julia” behind it, and a tripped out, oddly syncopated version of “My 1st Song,” which has the final chanting segment of “Cry Baby Cry” (“can you take me back where I came from”) mixed with a loop from “Savoy Truffle.” A nod to Danger Mouse’s artistic integrity, all the music on this album, every snare, symbol crash, and bass line is taken directly from the Beatles album. No warped up electro-bass lines were superimposed, yet the album, in general, still has a heavy feel to it.
Though some tracks do work better than others. “Allure” being mixed with “Dear Prudence” doesn’t quite work, and the “Change Clothes” and “Piggies” mix is perhaps the biggest stretch for the DJ. The mixture of the two songs changes the style completely – whether or not it’s a successful mesh may take a few dozen listens to determine.
For any serious fan of The Beatles, or any serious fan of Jay-Z, the artful combining of the two albums is, in this case, a definite accomplishment. DJ Danger Mouse has succeeded in putting together an album that stands on it’s own as one of the most inventive and adventurous produced in years… even if he was never given the permission to do so.
album artwork by Justin Hampton as appeared on djdangermouse.com.
