Wikipedia

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

This article is about the EP. For the title song, see Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (song).

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites is the second extended play (EP) by American electronic music producer Skrillex. It was released exclusively through Beatport on October 22, 2010, through mau5trap and Big Beat Records, while being released on December 20 for digital download via other online retailers and on March 1, 2011, as a physical release. It was recorded in 2010 at Skrillex's apartment using a laptop.[1] The EP features guest contributions from Pennybirdrabbit, Foreign Beggars and Bare Noize as well as remixes done by Noisia, Zedd and Bare Noize. It won two Grammys at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards: one for Best Dance Recording, and another for Best Dance/Electronica Album.

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
EP by
Skrillex
ReleasedOctober 22, 2010
Recorded2010
Genre
Length44:02
Label
Producer
Skrillex chronology
My Name Is Skrillex
(2010) 		Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
(2010) 		More Monsters and Sprites
(2011)
Singles from Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites
  1. "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites"
    Released: October 22, 2010
  2. "Rock n' Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain)"
    Released: June 20, 2011

The EP received generally positive reviews from music critics and became a moderate commercial success, reaching number 49 on the Billboard 200,[2] while also topping the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and reaching number 28 in Australia.[3] As of November 2011, the EP was certified Gold in Canada with sales exceeding 40,000 copies.[4] The EP's lead single, "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites", was a moderate commercial success internationally, peaking within the charts of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Sweden.[5][6][7][8][9] It was later certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with sales exceeding 500,000.[10] On November 30, 2011, it was announced that the EP was nominated at the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Dance/Electronica Album. On February 12, 2012, the album won the Grammy for that category. A follow-up EP, More Monsters and Sprites, contains several remixes of the title track done by Dirtyphonics, Phonat, The Juggernaut and Kaskade. It is named after David Bowie's 1980 album Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps).[11]

Composition

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"Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites"
A short sample of "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

According to Jon O'Brien of AllMusic, "[Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites] continues to develop his unforeseen dubstep tendencies."[12] According to Andrew Ryce of Resident Advisor, "[the EP [is split] down the middle with electro house and dubstep.[13] The EP features three remixes with Noisia and Zedd remixing the title track, and Bare Noize remixing Kill Everybody.[12]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [12]
Alternative Press     [14]
MSN Music (Expert Witness)B+[15]
Resident Advisor1.5/5[13]

Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jon O'Brien from AllMusic gave the EP a positive review, saying, "The three remixes from Noisia, Bare Noize, and Zedd are solid if unspectacular, with only the latter's chilled-out version of the title track providing anything wildly different from the originals. But the invention showcased on the first six bass-heavy anthems is more than enough to suggest that the U.S. has found someone who is capable of selling the dubstep sound back to its South London homeland".[12] Alternative Press also gave a positive review, saying, "On Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites, Moore has hit his mash-up groove, combining monster dance riffs with melodic ambience. The EP title is fitting, since these nine tracks (three of which are remixes) embody both sides of Moore; the rambunctious, punk-rock kid who screamed his head off in From First to Last (see the chaos of 'Kill EVERYBODY'), but also the melodic, pensive adult who can seamlessly collaborate with pop singers like Penny and producers and rappers like Bare Noize and Foreign Beggars".[14]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Rock 'n' Roll (Will Take You to the Mountain)"Sonny MooreSkrillex4:44
2."Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites"MooreSkrillex4:03
3."Kill Everybody"MooreSkrillex4:58
4."All I Ask of You" (featuring Penny)MooreSkrillex5:40
5."Scatta" (featuring Foreign Beggars and Bare Noize)
  • Skrillex
  • Bare Noize
3:55
6."With You, Friends (Long Drive)"SkrillexSkrillex6:29
7."Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" (Noisia Remix)Moore
  • Skrillex
  • Noisia
3:24
8."Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" (Zedd Remix)Moore
  • Skrillex
  • Zedd
5:59
9."Kill Everybody" (Bare Noize Remix)Moore
  • Skrillex
  • Bare Noize
4:41
Total length:44:02
Deluxe tour edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
10."Weekends" (featuring Sirah)
  • Moore
  • Sara Mitchell
Skrillex4:45
11."Weekends" (Zedd Remix)
  • Moore
  • Mitchell
  • Skrillex
  • Zedd
5:23

Charts and certifications

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Commercial performance

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The EP has since become a moderate commercial success. In the United States, it has reached a peak of number forty-nine on the Billboard 200, and has spent more than thirty weeks within the chart.[16] It has also reached the summit of the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, as well as number three on the Dance/Electronic Albums.[17] It reached number twenty-eight on the ARIA Charts in Australia.[3]

As of October 3, 2013, the single "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" has reached double platinum status, with sales of over 2,000,000 copies [18]

Release history

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Region Date Format Label Catalogue
United States October 22, 2010[46] Digital download mau5trap MAU5CD004
United Kingdom November 15, 2010[47] CD mau5trap, Big Beat, Prime Direct
Australia December 20, 2010[48][49][50][51] Digital download Big Beat, WEA -
Canada
United Kingdom
United States
Australia February 11, 2011[52] mau5trap, Big Beat
United States March 1, 2011[53] CD Big Beat, Atlantic, WEA 5269182
Australia April 29, 2011[54][55] Digital download Big Beat, WEA
CD Big Beat, Atlantic, Neon, Warner, WEA 7567882717

References

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  1. ^ "VIDEO: neontapedeck Interview with Skrillex". neontapedeck. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  2. ^ a b "Skrillex". Billboard.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Discography Skrillex". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  4. ^ "Gold and Platinum Search". Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  5. ^ "The ARIA Report: Issue 1114" (PDF). webarchive.nla.gov.au. 2006-08-23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-29. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  6. ^ "Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites - Music Charts". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  7. ^ "Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  8. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  9. ^ "The Hot 100 : Jan 07, 2012 | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  10. ^ "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - July 30, 2013". RIAA. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  11. ^ Schmidt, Sean (2020-10-22). "Skrillex's 'Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites' Debuted Ten Years Ago Today: A Look Back". River Beats Dance. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  12. ^ a b c d O'Brien, Jon. "Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites – Skrillex". AllMusic. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Ryce, Andrew (November 11, 2010). "Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites". Resident Advisor. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Schreurs, Jason (November 8, 2010). "Skrillex – Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites EP". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
  15. ^ Christgau, Robert (August 5, 2011). "SebastiAn/Skrillex". MSN Music. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  16. ^ "Billboard 200 : Jan 28, 2012 - (Chart position) | Billboard Chart Archive". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  17. ^ a b Artist Biography by David Jeffries (1988-01-15). "Skrillex | Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  18. ^ "RIAA - Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - September 24, 2015". www.riaa.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24.
  19. ^ "ARIA Report: Issue #1151" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-15. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  20. ^ "ARIA Report: Issue #1095" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-02-20. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  21. ^ "Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites". Ultratop (NL). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  22. ^ "Canadian Albums Chart: Skrillex chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  23. ^ スケアリー・モンスターズ・アンド・ナイス・スプライツ (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  24. ^ "Gaon Album Chart" (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  25. ^ "Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  26. ^ "Skrillex - Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2013-07-30.
  27. ^ "CHART: CLUK Update 11.02.2012 (wk5)". zobbel.de. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  28. ^ "2012 Top 40 Dance Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  29. ^ "Catalog Albums Chart: Skrillex chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  30. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart: Skrillex chart history". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  31. ^ "Top 100 Albums 2011". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  32. ^ "Top 50 Dance Albums 2011". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  33. ^ "Dance/Electronic Albums: 2011 Year-end Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  34. ^ "Top 100 Albums 2012". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  35. ^ "Top 50 Dance Albums 2012". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  36. ^ "END OF YEAR CHARTS 2012". The Official NZ Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  37. ^ "Billboard 200 Albums: 2012 Year-end Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  38. ^ "Catalog Albums: 2012 Year-end Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  39. ^ "Dance/Electronic Albums: 2012 Year-end Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  40. ^ "Top 50 Dance Albums 2013". ARIA. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  41. ^ "Catalog Albums: 2013 Year-end Charts". Billboard.com. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  42. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2023 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  43. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites". Music Canada. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  44. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
  45. ^ "American album certifications – Skrillex – Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
  46. ^ "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites - Download at Beatport". Beatport. Archived from the original on 2011-06-02. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  47. ^ "Skrillex: Scary Monsters & Nice Sprites (2010): CD: hmv.com". HMV Group. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  48. ^ "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites by Skrillex - Download Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  49. ^ "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites by Skrillex - Download Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on iTunes". iTunes. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  50. ^ "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites by Skrillex - Download Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on iTunes". iTunes. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  51. ^ "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites by Skrillex - Download Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on iTunes". iTunes. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  52. ^ "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites by Skrillex - Download Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites on iTunes". iTunes. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  53. ^ "Amazon.com: Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites: Skrillex: Music". Amazon. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  54. ^ "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Deluxe Tour Edition) by Skrillex - Download Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Deluxe Tour Edition) on iTunes". iTunes. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
  55. ^ "Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 2011-05-24.
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