LISTS
The Internet roundup
by the Untrenchant staff
1. The Hood Internet. Just in time for summer, here's a couple of guys from Chicago who are mixing up Pitchfork's Greatest Hits with the playlist from 106 and Park. The result: Genius. Part of it comes from the source material, as in their Rich Boy vs. Simian Mobile Disco mix, "I Believe You Should Looka Here"; absolutely anything sounds hot over that beat. Other inspired cuts include their remix of "Stay Fly" over Death From Above 1979 and "Wouldn't Grip Far," featuring the Game and the Go! Team.
By far, though, their finest work thus far has been "I'm A Flirt (Shoreline)", which improves the R. Kelly original immensely while simultaneously causing us to revisit Broken Social Scene's last album all over again. It's so good, some guy from the Internet made a mash-up video to it. Brilliant:
If you can't find a hot new jam for your summer somewhere on this website, frankly, Untrenchant thinks you need to re-evaluate your definition of a Hot Summer Jam. Be on the lookout for their mixtape, which drops today.
Also, they may or may not have set "The Thong Song" to "Young Folks."
2. A New Middle West Geographie. Staff writer Neal Schuster sends along this Google Maps creation, detailing everything you need to know about the Land of the Hold Steady. Did you know the secret purpose of Interstate 70? Or the mysteries that await travellers who find themselves in the unknown depths of the Unglaciated Zone? There is much to be discovered in flyover country; here is where to start looking.
3. Shaq's Big Challenge. We probably won't be watching this, but it is one of the better premises for a health-based reality show thus far; as a friend of Untrenchant put it, Shaq and a bunch of kids is a quality formula any way you look at it. I think the best part of this promotional material is how breathlessly in awe of Shaquille O'Neal it is; according to the ABC network, the public health system would be powerless in the face of the childhood obesity epidemic were it not for Shaq Diesel.
Naturally, as the last sentence mutters under its breath, this idea is stolen from the British; but who are they going to put on, David Beckham? Shaq could take him.
4. The Daffodil Rap. The tourism board for the Lake District wrote a rap version of "The Daffodils" and had a man in a squirrel costume (named MC Nuts!) perform it. We just wanted to make sure you were aware of this.
Apparently the Cumbria Tourism Board wanted to ensure that the kids today know about Wordsworth. It is Untrenchant's considered opinion that they could not possibly have succeeded more gloriously, or with more panache or flair. After all, it is only in the 21st century that we may finally realize Wordsworth's vision of poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings from emotions recollected in tranquility, laid down to a phat beat by a man in a squirrel suit." Well done, England!