Smells Like Team Spirit
The Go! Team were already a word of blog sensation last fall when major labels circled the Brighton crew for a domestic release of their infectious Thunder, Lightning, Strike. Problem was, all the obscure soul samples Memphis Industries snuck in across the pond would face harsher copyright laws stateside. How would Go! Team's electrofunky stew taste after the lawyers had their say?
Pitchfork spoke to head cheerleader Ian Parton about this back in June.
"The album coming out in America will be a slightly different version compared to the import ... Hopefully, you won't notice too much of a difference when it's out properly in America. We have to change things slightly to make them different in some way; it's quite complicated. It's like working to what a judge in court would think really, and I certainly won't sacrifice the songs for money. I'd say keep it as it is if that was the right thing to do musically. However, if there are things we need to dispose of I'd happily do that as well, such as the 'yeah, yeah, yeah' in 'Ladyflash.' Somebody's going to want a lot of money for that. I might actually be giving away more of the song than I own. If 10 people want 15%, then that is over 100%, and I have to get the money from other songs, which is a ridiculous idea, that you have remake the loss on a song."We feel ya Ian. At least it sounds like you got your "yeah, yeahs" out...
The Go! Team - Ladyflash (Original Mix) (MP3)
The Go! Team - Ladyflash (American R&C Remix) (MP3)
Virtually indistinguishable to the casual listener? [A little help: do I even have the right versions posted?] Sounds like you won't be missing out if you pick up the domestic version (hey, maybe Sony BMG will buy it back from you!). The album was one Stereogum's Top Catorce Of 2004 and P-Fork gave it a 10.9 or something. But you don't have to take Levar Burton's word for it; sample here.
And to those of you who are all "The Team is so last year boy" ... well hold on to your wifebeater K-Fed: The Team's #1 fan Kevin fucking Shields fused "Ladyflash" with "Huddle Formation" and you can hear the result on MySpace.
It'll be on the official "Ladyflash" single along with remixes from RJD2 and Simian and a new tune "The Wrath of Mikey," which sounds menacing but will probably be really fun and have lots of cheering and hand clapping.
On a final note, we still love you Sufjan but the Go! Team would totally kick the Illinoisemakers' asses in a fight.
Photos from Go! Team's Southpaw show earlier this year:
Ninja's got killer moves. Katrina Noisemaker doesn't stand a chance.
Oh, and I just had to share this too: Three Park Slope fourth-graders review Thunder, Lightning, Strike for New York:
They immediately start dancing to the first song—a good sign. When I ask what they think of it, one of them simply says, "Wooooooooo!" I agree. We all love the trumpets, the little bits of funk, and the cheerleaders. Especially the cheerleaders. We spend at least three songs jumping straight up and down. One of the kids says, "Right now, this is the most energy I ever had. This music gives me superpower energy." RATING: 9 OUT OF 10. (Sadly MMJ didn't fare as well.)
Posted at 11:04 PM
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typical all the american blogs claim the Go! Team as there discovery! they have been big-ish on alternative RADIO in australia for a good 8 months now. As well as heaps of UK press...wow what a discovery!!
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i dont get all the fuss, they sound kinda eh to me
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Hey BMT, I guess you skipped the first sentence of this post: "The Go! Team were already a word of blog sensation last fall [in other words a year ago] when major labels circled...."
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Go! Team was one of my favorite shows this year. Big fun. I personally prefer the original UK mix over the US Mix. They sound quite different to my ears. And unlike the My Morning Jacket CD, no abusive/restrictive copy protection.
BTW, LA radio stations Indie 103.1 & KCRW 89.9 were playing Go! Team a year ago.
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what's with the america hating, spaz?
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there is a huge difference in the two versions of the album in the way they are mixed. you can really tell if you listen on headphones -- the US version is cleaner and smoother with less distortion, but not in a negative way. I actually prefer the re-mix 10 to 1 with headphones -- for speakers though, the original version beats out.
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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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The Go! Team rule... Of course we here in the old world already enjoyed them last christmas.
Check out some photos from their show in Rsokilde Denmark last June
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it's about time someone worked in that guitar riff from "the tighten up". Get the stick out of your ass, you know it's amazing.
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i like them alright on record, but why do people love them live so much? they sound like a british black eyed peas.
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Yeah, guys...cause none of us in The States have heard this record. None of us played it to death last year.
whatevs.
"The Team is so last year boy."
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Will the two different version have different album art? I'm just wondering cause I bought my version in Canada (crazy half-way land) so I'm not sure which version I've got.
It's the classic red and orange tiger.
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Oh Kevin Shields. When will you come out of hiding?
At this point, I could care a little more about My Bloody Valentine, but a new album would be nice. I'd welcome it.
And uh...the Go! Team are good.
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i wish kevin shields would stop playing footsie with everything. first some really nice songs on the LiT soundtrack, now a decent mix of the go team (and maybe other tiny side projects i'm leaving out)... there comes a time when you have to put on your pants and stop eating cereal and do something great again. i have faith in shields, though.
also, yeah, the go! team is soooooo last year - but what's so wrong with last year? i've been whoring them out since last year to anyone who'll listen, and if ya don't like them - it's either a genuine (and understandable) dislike or you don't have enough joy to muster up when they're on (too bad).
boink.
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this sounds like something created in a basement, and not on purpose. what a bunch of trash. but if it's cool to the indie crowd i guess i have to hype it, damn.
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Great album but their live show stinks. Ninja may be the most annoying front person of a band ever. Plus, they should have hired a horn player or a DJ to join them on stage rather than just mix in the horns at the soundboard.
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Speaking of Shields, I heard forever ago that they were remixing Loveless onto a 5.1 format. That'd be fantastic.
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