this phenomenon has been a long-time part of the european and uk underground music scene. it was the coupling of adina howard's "freak like me" with gary numan's "are 'friends' electric?" that appears to have fueled this craze into the mainstream. after ms. howard's people (record label, management, whoever) refused to clear this for a proper release, popsters Sugababes stepped in, re-recording the vocal track and setting the stage for a number one smash.

last week, i received a bootleg of a bootleg, a hot copy of a hot copy, "The Best Bootlegs In The World Ever". though only giving it a cursory listen while unpacking over this last weekend, a New York Times article about the movement (which i would link to, but you gotta join their site and it wouldn't work, you know) brought me back to this gem. the strokes and christina aguilera? missy elliot and the cure? blur and madison avenue? it's all there and it's all good.

but why stop there? technologically, music is the most obvious and accessible of mash-ups but what about tv? of course, the internet has fueled, what is popularly known as, Fan Fiction, some of which does exactly this. ally mcbeal and dawson's creek? the partners relocate from the bar downstairs to civilization and pacey's penchant for older women leads him into ally's clutches. charmed and ed? three witches and a bowling alley. maybe ed could become the new Source. alias and felicity? hannah/sydney must turn noel against felicity in order to secure the ramaldi artifact hidden in meghan's secret box. why stop there, i ask again? this is why.