Post by Merlin on Apr 12, 2009 16:17:50 GMT -5
I am a hypocrite. When I joined my family in a trip to Hawai'i back in summer 2007, at one point a Gwen Stefani song played on the radio. It was horrendous; I don't even know what the name of the song was, nor am I likely to search for it. It was Gwen bastardizing The Lonely Goatherd from "The Sound of Music," using it as a beat for her song. It took about a minute for all of us to fall silent because of the bad tune, and eventually dad broke the silence by asking, vulgarly, "What the hell is this [crap]?"
I couldn't agree more; what was that? I was aware that taking dialogue or music clips from films and musicals and using them to generate beats is popular, but I disliked that particular track. Later I heard another such bastardization of "Fiddler on the Roof" (maybe it was Gwen again, I don't know).
So, why do I feel like a hypocrite? I feel like a hypocrite because this album I am reviewing, "Breaks & Beats Disney," is an album that has a similar concept, and yet I like it. I like it a lot, actually.
I found out about B&BD when I was just searching for random images on Google, and the above disc cover popped up. I have to say, this cover is unintentionally (or intentionally?) shocking. Seeing Mickey, Donald and Goofy in those particular clothing was probably a cute idea, but for some such as myself, it comes off as a bit... bizarre. To me, it's no different than swapping Alice's Victorian dress with a tank top, flip-flops and jeans.
B&BD is a compilation album, featuring some of Japan's popular DJs and artists. It is an album that was only released in Japan, which goes for some other CDs in my collection ("Dive Into Disney" and "Mosh Pit on Disney," two other compilation albums that I listen to occasionally, are also Japan-exclusives). As a result, I had to wait a little while for my copy to arrive, but I feel the wait was worth it.
Similar to "Nightmare Revisited," this album is meant to be listened in a different mindset than a mindset you're usually in while listening to Disney music unaltered. The rating system will be the same as my previous review, but this time the excerpts should be easier to obtain! Unfortunately, like "Nightmare Revisited," my excerpts are lacking in quality, so they really don't do the actual tracks must justice.
Crank it, yo!
1. Intro Disneyland Theme by Walt Disney
Click here for the excerpt!
This isn't a music track at all; it's taken directly from an old LP, "Walt Disney Takes You to Disneyland." It is a simple yet quaint narration from the Man Himself, welcoming you to imagine Disneyland from your home. It's unnecessary to this album, but it's a nice reminder of Japan's liking of Disney in general, and sets the Disney mood. But because this is a brief narration excerpt, I won't score it.
2. Mickey Mouse Club March (KPS Mix) by Kemuri Productions
Click here for the excerpt!
Of course! What better way to properly kick off a compilation Disney album with the Mickey Mouse Club March?! This track is a lot of fun, with lively, sometimes erratic beats, and enjoyably placed cuts throughout. The two Donald Duck alterations towards the end of the track are very funny, and the whole march is fun overall. A
3. it's a small world (It's a Muro's World Remix) by MURO
Click here for the excerpt!
I know what a lot of us are thinking. "Oh, no, not that!" However, the clips in this particular remix are not at all from the (in)famous attraction; instead, the majority (if not all) of the source material is from an album called "Mickey Mouse Disco." I also own that album, so I recognized this from the start. Honestly, I find it pretty catchy. The happiest cruise to ever sail's theme does repeat several times, but the beat is great, and the MURO's techniques keep the theme from getting annoying... or at least too annoying (it is it's a small world, after all, arguably Disney's most polarizing attraction!). A
4. Fantasia (Dirty Raw Bobo James Mix) by Dev Large for Devastator Enterprises
Click here for the excerpt!
I didn't know it was possible, but the universally renowned "A Night on Bald Mountain" has been given the DJ treatment. It's a scream (pun intended). Dev Large (whatever name he/she/it goes by) clearly is very familiar with the piece, because the added beats meld with the classic very well. Considering Chernabog's Bald Mountain is perhaps the most famous scene from "Fantasia" (well... okay, maybe Mickey's "Sorcerer's Apprentice"), it's no surprise that Bald Mountain was chosen for this, and fortunately, it's demonically nice. A
5. TRON (Blue Machine Mix) by O.N.O
Click here for the excerpt!
I'm a huge nerd, and you know what that means? I LOVE TRON, OMGZZ!!1one I hope "TR2N" will be good, I hope, I hope, I hope! Uh, yeah. Anyway, I was so happy to see the word "TRON" on this album (one reason why I pursued purchasing a copy) and, happily, this is a great mix. It's funky and grooving, and yet simultaneously soothing and relaxing. It's a good track, I find, to unwind, and probably a good track to help sleep. If not sleep, then I can definitely imagine hanging out in a club, saying something bordering on sexually harassing, getting slapped and/or drenched in the offended party's drink and feel bad, only to recognize this music, instantly cheer up and groove. This is heavily edited, and some of actual clips from the film are subdued and barely recognizable (but I can recognize Wendy Carlos's keyboard in the middle. Fun fact, Wendy Carlos used to be Walter Carlos before a sex-change operation!). To get to the point, I really like this track, and it's definitely one of my favorites in the CD. A
6. Mary Poppins (Twigy Mix) by Twigy
Click here for the excerpt!
The opening is fun; Dick Van Dyke with scratches brings a smile to my face, along with Julie Andrews's "Super-Super-Super-Super-Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." However, one will soon realize that this is the first track in the album to actually have additional rap, and they're in Japanese. This may be hit or miss with some, but it's not a miss for me. Although I do not know Japanese at all, I nevertheless find the lyrics enjoyable. With that said, I actually find the tracks without lyrics superior, and not because I can't keep up with the lyrics; it's just that I prefer that the Disney breaks & beats speak for themselves, without any new vocals. Still, this gets a solid B.
7. Dumbo (Old Nick "Super Elephant Fly" Mix) by Old Nick aka DJ Hasebe
Click here for the excerpt!
This was the first track I ever heard from this album, and I find it fun. There's a repetition of the crows (namely "elephant fly"), as well as an excerpt from the film's score (unfortunately, at this point in time I don't know the name of the used piece, but I'll get back on that later). What's really awesome about this mix, however, is the use of Casey Jr.'s "all aboard, let's go!" and the train whistle as a beat. I practically laughed in merriment when I fist heard the whistle in this context, and it's pure win. The crows may be controversial characters, and so this might be offensive to some, but this is actually not the only piece of "politically incorrectness" found on this album. We'll get to that later. A
8. Alice in Wonderland (Alice in Underground) by Zeebra for Firstklas
Click here for the except!
Another big reason why I was interested in obtaining this album! As if the fact that I'm posting this review under Alice isn't obvious enough, I love "Alice in Wonderland," even more than "TRON!" So, naturally, I couldn't wait to hear this particular mix. It wasn't what I expected (I expected "A Very Merry Unbirthday" because of its popularity), but it's still pleasant. This mix is of the Caterpillar's "A-E-I-O-U" song, and it has a constant, good beat. Admittedly, there isn't a lot of variation in this track; it seems to repeat itself once, actually. It's not the best mix in this album (said the Alice fanatic), but it's still fun, and I like it more than the following track. B
9. The Jungle Book (Jingle Jungle Mix ~Album Edited Version~) by Kemuri Productions
Click here for the excerpt!
The opening is great; a slightly sped-up Colonel Hathi's March used as clips was a funny idea. However, the track soon segues to something decidedly jungley, with a Ken Nordine-soundalike repeating "Jungle, Jungle, Jungle Book." This mostly repeats until the end, but there are a few familiar clips taken from the film and utilized, such as the immortal "I Wan'na Be Like You" and the deleted song "It's a Kick." However, one wishes that there were more of these; maybe I just love the song too much, but the track is done with "I Wan'na Be Like You" long before I am satisfied. Overall, I think the Mickey Mouse Club March remix was Kemuri Productions' better track. C+
10. The Lion King (The Life Remix) by DJ MasterkeyFeat. Jin & Corn Head
Click here for the excerpt!
Another track that uses new lyrics and vocals, also in Japanese. It reminds me of a boy band, in all honesty, or a song that recalls Shaggy and Rayvon's "Angel" (remember that song from 2001?). It's not bad, certainly, but it also doesn't really do much for me. I feel that the timeless score music from "The Lion King" could have been utilized better, but I guess we'll settle with a lively Japanese rap. C+
11. The Little Mermaid (Under the Sea-Hot Sauce Booty Mix) by Mr. Beats aka DJ Celory
Click here for the excerpt!
Yes, I know. The remix title of this popular song is downright frightening, but it's actually rocking, despite the fact that it's actually rather simple. It's literally Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian singing "Under the Sea," but with added beats and effects. It might sound lazy, but the beats were actually well thought-out, and fit the song's tempo amazingly. A great party track. A
12. Main Street Electrical Parade (Back-in-thedayz Remix) by DJ Jin
Click here for the excerpt!
Here we go! Of all Disney attractions, which theme is better suited for remixes than Bohemian Rhapsody? This has a constant beat, but it's also filled with variation from the different segments of the famous parade. I absolute love the synthesizers, and always get the urge to shake my groove-thing while listening to this. You also gotta love how "Elliot" was utilized. A
13. Aladdin (The Lamp of Legend Mix ~Album Edit Version~) by Kemuri Productions
Click here for the excerpt!
As you've probably noticed, this is the third contribution from Kemuri Productions, and this is superior to The Jungle Book's remix. Interestingly, this seems to use the voice actor of the merchant from the beginning of the Japanese dub of "Aladdin." At least, I think it is... if it's not, forgive me! The Japanese dialogue is a fun touch, but what I like best about this track is definitely "Arabian Nights." It works awesomely with the Arabian-sounding beat. Also, the excerpt from "Marketplace" is used nicely. Overall, a strong track that induces much happy time. A
14. Peter Pan (The Indian Village Cruise) by DJ Watarai
Click here for the excerpt!
This track is a lot of fun. Believe it or not, it actually focuses on the one politically incorrect (yet catchy as hell) song from "Peter Pan": What Made the Red Man Red. Specefically, it takes the excerpt that has the horns blaring, and the children and the, uh, "Indians" (I'd say Native Americans, but they're native to Never Land, so... Native Never Landers?) whooping and hollering around the campfire. It does repeat often, just like Alice in Underground, but it is better suited for the dance floor more than Alice. To me, this is Disney's answer to Gorillaz's Dare. A
15. Winnie the Pooh (Who Are You Callin'a....Mix) by MACKA-CHIN gets toruco maririn cafe blue
Excerpt Coming Soon?
Okay, the excerpt for some reason refuses to be uploaded, so whatever. This is actually the only track from the album that I was initially disappointed with, because when I saw "Winnie the Pooh," I expected a favorite or well-known song to be utilized. Instead, I was treated with a song I'm not even familiar with; somthing called All Good Things (A Pooh Perspective), from the album "Take My Hand." Despite my initial disappointing, it is a rather nice and soothing track, even more relaxing than TRON. So, I'll give it a B.
16. Pinocchio (Classic and Vintage) by Tsutchie
Click here for the excerpt!
When You Wish Upon a Star, with added beats! The tempt is also sped up slightly. The track really comes alive, however, with the clocks from Geppetto's shop. A fairly straightforward remix, but a good one. B
17. Beauty and the Beast (Beats and the Beast Mix) by Lamp Eye
Click here for the excerpt!
Very similar in concept to The Lion King's mix; a Japanese rap which uses excerpts from "Beauty and the Beast" as its beat. Once again, I prefer tracks that don't use vocals (I'm guessing "Aladdin" is an exception, because it sounds like it was taken directly from the movie, rather than the soundtrack). Yet, I like it more than the Lion King mix, perhaps because slightly more variation could be heard. B
After Beats and the Beast, there is a nice closure: in a similar fashion to Walt Disney's opening narration, the album closes with the trademark ending from The Mickey Mouse Club ("M-I-C, seeya real soon! K-E-Y, why? Becasue we like you!"). It's an agreeably Disney-enough way to end the album.
That's all she wrote.
Bonus Tracks
Click here for the excerpt!
Actually, no! There are three hidden tracks following Beats and the Beast. The first is of "Steamboat Willie," which was unexpected yet welcome. It's amusing to hear something as ancient as "Willie" accompanied with contemporary beats. After that, there is a mix of Heigh-Ho from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." This is my favorite hidden track because of the very clever use of beats, and the fact that any sexy dwarf could totally dig, dig, dig into this! Ha ha... sorry, I'm not feeling too well as I write this review. Anyway, after Heigh-Ho there is the third and final hidden track: a remix of Cruella DeVil, which amuses but hardly leaves an impression because it's just a mere minute in length. Actually, all of the hidden tracks are short, so I will combine them all for one rating. A
All right, party's over. In conclusion, I greatly enjoyed this album as a whole. I've been a lifelong aficionado of classic Disney songs and music, so I was very curious to hear how Japanese DJs remixed them. Some of the mixes and remixes are better than others, but overall there isn't a track I outright dislike, which is something I couldn't say for "Nightmare Revisited."
If you're a fiercely loyal fan to Disney songs, to the point where you absolutely refuse to hear any kind of tinkering, then Breaks & Beats Disney isn't for you. If, however, you are a loyal fan to Disney songs, and therefore are open to hear covers and mixed beats utilizing said songs, then I recommend checking this CD out. It's way phat, yo.
A-
