The Pianimal: Episode 2 – Nineties Pop Music
Why not induce some premature nostalgia? This episode of The Pianimal unearths forgotten pop songs of the yester-decade, and gives them a pianamalistic makeover. Cher’s “Believe” leaves the dance-hall behind, and becomes an earnest, folksy song about jaded love, while N’Sync’s “Bye Bye Bye” kicks out the straight-eights and turns up the piano-amp to 11 to provide a near rock-‘n-roll experience.
As you’ll remember from episode 1, The Pianimal is recorded “semi-live,” in only one take, with absolutely no edits in post-production. That means that any and all mess-ups (and hot damn, there are LOTS in this episode, with me still being mostly-sick and all) are left unchanged just for the live, living-room concert vibe.
This episode’s tracklist:
- Cher: Believe
- Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life
- Britney Spears: Baby, One More Time (instrumental interlude)
- N’Sync: Bye Bye Bye
Got nice things to say, or constructive feedback to send my way? Please comment, I promise I’ll wait until you’re out of earshot before I succumb to my urge to throw up from sheer nervousness.
Listen In:
The Pianimal: Episode 2 – Nineties Pop Songs (MP3 file)
Subscribe to the Pianimal podcast (includes all Kevan Gilbert Online content)
Previous Episodes:
Episode 1 – Tom Waits Covers
Yep, this archaic archive of articles and projects is a little outdated. BUT! At one point, these were cutting edge. Or least, relatively useful/funny. They were made, painstakingly, by Kevan Gilbert: you know, from Vancouver, works for a web agency, sometimes makes up songs, is a totally dorky dad and husband. More boring details on the 
Kevan, this was way too painful. You. Can’t. Redeem. These. Songs. Even. If. You. Philosophize & Reminisce. About. Them. Return to golden tracks by Tom Waits, etc…
Thanks for listening, even if it WAS super painful. Imaging spending four weeks rehearsing: I went through Enrique songs, Spice Girls songs, Ricky Martin, Ace of Base and at LEAST 10 more before I settled on the above playlist…
And hey, I didn’t say these songs could be redeemed, but they can be reinterpreted. I read a story about a graphic design professor who asked his students to compile a list of their least favourite colour combinations, and least favourite fonts, and then asked them to create a project that used ONLY the elements they said they despised. Imagine trying to play with Comic Sans to make it legit.
You’re right, you can’t redeem something that sucks, but I find pleasure in immersing myself in treacherously bad art, for a few reasons:
- I love satire. This podcast mocks kitsch as much as it revels in it.
- Fully understanding what makes something SUCK makes you better at producing things that don’t.
- Plus, sometimes, it’s just plain fun.
I found this via MetaFilter. This is pure excellence. It made me laugh, cry, swoon, and vomit. Thank you.
Thanks Amos. I especially love that it made you vomit. :)
I realize that Enrique and Ricky Martin did not make it on the 90s pop song episode…but perhaps there will be a Latin Lovers edition in the future? (fingers crossed). This is good fun.
Hello, I’d like to report a lost kitten. My wife (Vielta) and I were walking on the old Trail bridge, which happens to be closed for maintenance, and we spotted a black and white kitten. At first we were frightened, because one year ago someone through a stuffed animal at me during the Silver City Days parade. Vielta slowly approached the kitten and noticed it was wearing a collar. “Oreo”… I shouted at the kitten. Vielta turned to me “it’s name is Boots… it’s written on the collar”
Anyways, we kept it, so until we find a missing cat poster with a substancial reward… we wont be parting with it.