My current dream collaboration

As I sit here trying to catch up on blogs and lectures I realise a few things. First, I seriously need to stay up to date with my blogs in the future. Second, I feel like I am repeating myself over and over and hope this doesn't mean I am failing to grasp the different theories and practices. But finally, and probably least important, I have been compiling in my head a list of sorts. A list of musicians who I wish would get together and write songs together. I'm not asking for much. Doesn't have to be an album and a world tour, doesn't even have to be an EP. I would happily settle for a single with one or two b-sides. So who tops my list at the moment? James Mercer from The Shins and Kanye West. Without question this could quite possibly be amazing. James Mercer has worked with hip-hop royalty before. He and Danger Mouse have a side project, Broken Bells, which has released a fantastic self titled album (2010) and an EP Meyrin Fields (2011). Below is a link for the first single 'The High Road'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWBG1j_flrg&ob=av2e


The Shins have also experimented with hip-hop beats, on 'Sea Legs' from their excellent third record Wincing The Night Away (2007).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vI8nLLDEc68

Mercer has to be the best songwriter in rock music at the moment. The Shins fourth album Port of Morrow, released last month, is another slice of guitar pop heaven. Every line is imbued with melody and a sense of meaning. His words sparkle. The lead single Simple Song is utter pop brilliance. Complex melodies and themes, lyrics that are incredibly intelligent, witty, beautiful and poetic, soaring backing vocals and an overwhelming feeling of hope. Mercer delivers in one song what countless artists struggle to do over a career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoLTPcD1S4Q

So onto Kanye West. The world biggest popstar. The most controversial, divisive, quotable musician of the millenium. Whatever people may think of him, there is no denying he is an artist of the highest quality. Five inventive, funny, challenging, overwhelming and brilliant albums. He has worked with the cream of hip-hop already; Jay Z, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Pharrell, Mos Def, Common, Kid Cudi etc etc. He has worked with celebrated film composer Jon Brion, responsible for the scores to such films as Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
He has worked with uber-cool French electro duo Daft Punk. He has worked with uber-talented pop-folk indie god Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDBCoXzR-z8&feature=related

His collaboration with Chris Martin, Homecoming, was one of the standout tracks on his Graduation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDBCoXzR-z8&feature=related

Imagine a James Mercer-Kanye West production. The best songwriter in rock and the best songwriter in rap. Two of the best artists and writers in the world today. I can only dream at the moment, Should tweet Kanye with the suggestion...