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
Kevan Gilbert is a life-size replica of a 5'8" tall human being, and comes with several interchangeable outfits and a realistic haircut. In the daytime hours, Kevan works as Project Coordinator of Creative Technologies at Vancouver’s Union Gospel Mission, overseeing an online strategy that raises over $700,000 a year. When he’s not spending time with his beautiful wife Kendra in their hometown of Burnaby, BC, Kevan is available to meet, chat and collaborate.
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.