Music
I’m currently listening to vocal trance aka trip-hop, chill, downtempo and lounge - probably best represented by the Ultra.Chilled compilations. I get most of my new songs from Sirius Chill Ch. 35, Internet All Chilled and Ambient Popsicle, and some new wave on Sirius First Wave Ch. 22. Other ideas I pick up from friends, videos, internet radio, KLCC and KRVM. And of course Pandora.
All Songs Considered: the perfect song (listeners’ choice)
All Songs Considered: the perfect song (artists’ choice)
All Songs Considered: the perfect song (staff choice)
Skye “What’s wrong with me”
lyrics
vocals: Skye Edwards
www.skyewebsite.com
video
“Skye’s decision to leave the safer pastures of Morcheeba and pursue the dangerous climbs of a solo career is a bold move. In her debut single ‘What’s Wrong With Me?’ there’s no great departure from the Morcheeba sound but a lot more focus on her and her vocals. Although this is the songs strength with a relaxed and gentle vibe underpinning her voice it is the lyrics which make the single stand out. Couplets like “I try not to think about the mortgage on my home, Or the voicemails, emails and angry females on the phone” prove her knack for writing and provides a nice social commentary alongside a decent tune. So far so good for the solo career then…”
The Bird and the Bee “Again and again”
lyrics
vocals: Inara George
www.thebirdandthebee.com
video
“F*****g boyfriend”
video [live]
“For the most part, the Bird and the Bee’s heart-on-sleeve reference points are more recent, like the Pet Sounds pastiche “I’m a Broken Heart” and the retro-futurist keyboards that hold up “La La La”. Meanwhile, shimmery acoustic opener “Again & Again” is a good thesis for Kurstin’s aesthetic, a slick electro-acoustic hybrid that’s dense without feeling cluttered - pop music that reads modern without threatening any barriers. Bits of atmosphere, however borrowed, are executed well, such as the wintry microdot percussion of “Preparedness”. George herself proves a malleable talent, riding whatever combination of sounds Kurstin throws her way and willingly allowing for some very un-jazzy vocal practices like overdubbed self-harmonizing and effects processing. That flexibility allows her to easily slip into certain roles, like the conflicted coquette of “Again & Again” and the soft-psychedelic depressive of “I’m a Broken Heart”… George’s limitations are revealed only by material that calls for her feathery voice to present a harder edge.”
Si*Se “The rain (where do I begin)”
lyrics
vocals: Carol C.
www.sisenyc.com
“I bought this after hearing the song “Dolomite” a couple of times, once on the KCRW show Sounds Eclectic, and once in a book store. It’s an interesting tune, kind of a mix of three musical ideas that keep changing places — one funky, one croony, one poppy. When I bought the record I was kind of let down at first; the other songs just didn’t make the same impression. But the more I’ve listened to this record, the more I’ve liked it, and suddenly I realized that it’s become one of my favorites of the year. Si*Se seems to be going for a kind of post-pop, cosmopolitan aesthetic (some songs are in English, others in Spanish), with electronic/programming elements, occasionally Latin rhythms, danceable tempos, and quieter, R&B-ish melodies (plus very pretty viola work by Jeannie Oliver). Sometimes songs follow each other and sound like they’re from different bands; maybe the strongest binding element is the voice of singer, Carol C., who has a clear, strong delivery that’s close to a classic pop-diva style (Sade, maybe?). This isn’t a bad thing. What comes out on repeated listens are the strength of the hooks: These are good melodic songs, making the unusual instrumentation a bonus instead of a crutch. “Cuando” and “Bizcocho Amargo” are standouts, and so is a reinterpretation of the Oran “Juice” Jones song “The Rain.” Plus, the band does pull off an excellent live set, proving that it can execute outside the studio, and helping convince that this is band to watch. Highly original, highly adventurous, highly entertaining. I don’t see them getting a lot of radio play in the near future, but I suspect that’s really another argument in the band’s favor.”
Royksopp “What else is there”
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vocals: Karin Dreijer
www.royksopp.com
video
“Lush and symphonic, ‘What Else Is There?’ is one of the most evocative songs off Royksopp’s album The Understanding. Featuring a Bjork-like vocal performance from Karin of Sweden’s The Knife, the song’s mysterious and nightmarish imagery combines with it’s sweeping and uplifting music to create an almost cinematic experience. The ‘What Else Is There?’ single includes remixes by The Thin White Duke, Vitalic, Trentemoller, The Emperor Machine and Jacques Lu Cont. The CD includes the beautifully enigmatic video, plus a bonus live version of ‘Alpha Male’ recorded at the Roskilde Festival in Europe.”
Narcotic Thrust “I like it”
lyrics
mix: Vocal Tribal Remix
vocals: Yvonne John-Lewis
www.narcoticthrust.com
“After receiving a flogging on Radio 1 since December 2003, this classic vocal house tune has garnered so much steam that the eventual release of the track has caused great hype. Vocals are from Zero 7’s Yvonne John-Lewis with remixes from Pete Lorimer (29 Palms) and Dean Coleman. The original starts out with a catchy, groovy baseline and subtle melodies while the vocals make an early appearance and feature gorgeously in an early breakdown. Trademark melodic hooks are always the nature of Narcotic Thrust’s productions and are very intoxicating. Layered vocals and some nice lyrics keep this track on a commercial tip, giving it great cross-over potential. Pure vocal house. Pete Lorimer ups the anti with a driving house dub as he dabbles with vocal affects and kicking melodies. An early breakdown lets loose a funky, low-down melody alongside simple hooks and samples as the fun just starts to begin. Quirky melodies are littered throughout the mix and add the extra entertainment factor while taking away predictability as the grooves are made and broken. Very smooth.”
Morcheeba “Wonders never cease”
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vocals: Daisy Martey
www.morcheeba.co.uk
video
“Wonders Never Cease” is the first offering from Morcheeba since having parted company with their gorgeously seductive singer Skye Edwards. Despite being a tough act to follow, new vocalist Daisy Martey is an accomplished replacement. Morcheeba have grown up and the ex-Noonday Underground crooner’s vocals have more assuredness and self-confidence. With it’s up-lifting message “Wonders Never Cease” could easily have featured on “Fragments of Freedom” but the up-tempo, vibe signifies Morcheeba’s coming of age and reinvention.”
Supreme Beings of Leisure “Never the same”
lyrics
vocals: Geri Soriano-Lightwood
www.sbleisure.com
“The sultry “Never the Same” captures the Supreme Beings strengths though they’re admittedly walking a path that has already been cleared for them by bands like Portishead, Massive Attack, and Morcheeba, they walk it with panache and style. The Supreme Beings of Leisure bring a number of new elements that are distinctly their own to the trip-hop table. Airier and poppier than Portishead and Massive Attack, the main strength of the Supreme Beings is the worldliness of their sound. The group boasts members from Japan, Puerto Rico, India, and Iran, and, though their band interplay is never schizophrenic, it does manage to integrate polyphonic strings and the sitars in with the clubby breakbeats and cinematic moodiness. In the process, the Supreme Beings add nuance and definition to the still-young and by no means overcrowded genre of trip hop.”"It’s reported that Supreme Beings of Leisure emerged when a rap group called Oversoul 7 added a singer named Geri Soriano-Lightwood. Yet the band’s laid-back dance grooves sound all of a piece, as if they’d played together for years. There’s no messy merging of disparate styles, no rude sound shifts that occur when young bands search for their sound. Instead, this is a professionally buffed production. Though the three instrumental members all share programming duties and the music is certainly heightened by a liberal use of special space-age effects, the music is far more rooted in traditional soul-ballad and pop-rock writing than apparent on first listen. Tracks such as “Golddigger” and “Strangelove Addiction” borrow their hooks from the pop-rock dictionary, no matter how futuristic the desires. It might be another case of style over substance. Or maybe the band needs to transcend their professionalism and really get down to some scary stuff.”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor “Final move”
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vocals: Sophie Ellis-Bextor
www.sophieellisbextor.net
“Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s [album] ‘Read My Lips’ is an amazing debut. Although all the songs are startlingly simple, they are also unbelievably catchy and well-done. I am shocked that Sophie … has yet to penetrate the North American music world. Is there an invisible boundary blocking us from fantastic music? Her first single ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ seemed to echo across the rest of the world. Clubbers everywhere were bopping along to the infectious rhythm, but not us. Unfair, that’s what it is. If it were not for Amazon, I would never have come across Ellis-Bextor. I’ve yet to order her sophomore effort, ‘Shoot From The Hip’, but if it’s anything like this album, I know it will be brilliant. Hopefully Ellis-Bextor will be around for awhile…”
Six Feet Under, vol. 2: everything ends (soundtrack)
“It seems an easy task to put together a CD for a series about a funeral home…pick some songs about death and make people smirk on topic for a moment before they toss it into the soundtrack graveyard. But this is not a disc to be tossed away. Six Feet Under: Everything Ends is a collection of music that feels exactly like the series: a floaty-bordering-on-surreal batch of greatness. The disc starts off with an underrated track from Nina Simone, the sultry “Feeling Good.” Fans of Coldplay and Radiohead will certainly be familiar with their previously-released tunes (”A Rush of Blood to the Head” and “Lucky” respectively) but the best element of this disc is that it gives lesser-known, musically-similar artists a push. After all, finding Death Cab For Cutie’s “Transatlanticism” and Sia’s fragile “Breathe Me” on pop radio is, well…let’s stick to the theme and use the “snowball’s chance in hell” analogy. There are a host of great, previously unreleased and exclusive tracks on this CD: Jem’s Dido-esque “Amazing Life,” the Caesars’ “Don’t Fear The Reaper” cover, Interpol’s discordant and dark “Direction” and Arcade Fire’s wonderful “Cold Wind” - a whispered, frail, and beautiful soundscape, perfect to watch hearses off drive into sunsets by.”
Sia “Breathe me”
lyrics
vocals: Sia Furler
mix: Six Feet Under
“What was that song that wrapped-up ‘Six Feet Under’? If you are a fan of the HBO hit series ‘Six Feet Under’ then you watched the series finale. Well the song that probably brought you to tears (admit it) was a beautiful song from Australian singer Sia. The song is called ‘Breathe Me’”"Sia has gone from strength to strength since she first hit our ears appearing with Zero 7 a couple of years back. Her new solo album is a melange of delicious deep aural treats, and this track is a perfect example of the kind of detailed, breathy chilled-out track that the album is great at delivering. With less, dare we say it, showiness and more emotional depth than her Zero 7 efforts, this is perhaps one of the strongest vocal deliveries on the album. Recommended.”
Goldfrapp “Strict machine”
lyrics
vocals: Allison Goldfrapp
mix: Peter Rauhofer
“All night operator”
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vocals: Allison Goldfrapp
goldfrapp.co.uk
“There is just something seductive about this single that gets me going in the morning. Although this single has been out for a while on Import it has finally made its way stateside. This single is a combination of 80’s new wave; punk, pop, rock and electro all rolled into one hell of a dance single. If just hearing the original isn’t enough, then check out the slew of remixes from a star-studded cast. Another not-before-time re-release. When this single was first released last August [2004], it got to Number 25. “How supremely rubbish,” everyone must have thought. And yet! How also-very-fortunate: if it’d been any sort of proper hit then we might not now be treated to the wonderful Benny Benassi ‘reworking’ of the ‘Frapp’s thunderous electro beast in an attempt to get the song into the public so-called psyche. Except it already is in the psyche: Cathy Dennis crowbarred it into ‘Sweet Dreams My LA Ex’, Sam & Mark inexplicably used it for the first 16 seconds of ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, and it’s even been on some advert or other. Which means that ‘Strict Machine’ is a solid gold, honest-to-goodness hit record which should be Number One immediately. Get to work, readers. “
Everything but the Girl “Missing”
sample
lyrics
vocals: Tracey Thorn
mix: Todd Terry
www.ebtg.com
“Amazon.com essential recording Amplified Heart marked a number of changes in Everything but the Girl’s career, the most obvious of which was their sudden popularity when a Todd Terry remix of “Missing” became a dance-floor hit. But before the album was even recorded, Ben Watt–who with Tracy Thorn is EBTG–was hospitalized for a life-threatening intestinal disorder (see his book, Patient: The True Story of a Rare Illness, for a full account). His recovery invigorates Amplified Heart, making the love songs that much more passionate, the relationship songs that much more tender, and “25th December”–the one song in which Watt sings lead–that much more heartbreaking. Thorn’s captivating vocals are the focus on the rest of the album, and she’s as smooth as ever; combined with the focus that she and Watt share here, it makes for EBTG’s best album.”
Andain “Beautiful things”
sample
lyrics
vocals: Mavie Marcos
mix: Gabriel & Dresden
www.ornadel.com
“Andain is Josh Gabriel, Mavie Marcos and David Penner. Their blend of soulful, dub-inspired music combines live instruments, stunning vocal performances and emotional electronics … “Beautiful Things” is a unique lyrical trance song with stunning vocals. … Mavie Marcos, who provides the beautiful vocals on “Beautiful Things” is a composer and lyricist. There’s a melancholy wistfulness in Mavie’s vocals that blends in so well with the Photon Project Radio Mix. The mixes of this song are good, too. I definitely hope this trio will make a full length album.”
Shapeshifters “Lola’s theme”
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vocals: Cookie
www.nocturnalgroove.co.uk
“If it weren’t for Sirius satellite radio I wouldn’t know about this song at all. I love house, trance, hardcore…… etc. These are all genres of music not normally heard on American radio … this is what house should sound like: the retro-disco feel, the fantastic bassline; this song plus the remix of George Michael’s “Flawless” are fantastic tunes that make you feel good and linger in your head all day. Yet does it feel like an intrusion? Heck no, it’s a party! Enjoy!”"I remember hearing this song on C89.5 FM in Seattle on my alarm clock one morning, and thought to myself, “Self. This song is rockin’!” If I hadn’t picked up the Ministry of Sound: The Annual 2005 box set a little while ago, I would have never known what this song was called. If you like peppy, feel-good house music reminiscent of when house was still young, you’ll LOVE this song!”
K’s Choice “Not an addict”
lyrics
vocals: Sarah Bettens
www.kschoice.com
“Drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. Too often the two have been grouped together, but not in the way that they are for Belgium’s K’s Choice. Having a worldwide smash with an anti-drug song, 1997’s rock radio mainstay “Not An Addict,” K’s Choice defied convention, not just by being a rock band out of Belgium, but for speaking out about one of the biggest problems in the music industry and in international youth culture in general. The song remains the band’s landmark, earning it a spot on two installments of the legendary Lillith Fair tour and legions of fans all over Europe and elsewhere. Last year, K’s Choice saw the European release of its greatest hits collection, and in support of the U.S. release of that CD and corresponding DVD here in the States this past August, the band is embarking on its first U.S. tour in years, headlining The Yellow Umbrella Tour…”
Armin van Buuren “Burned with desire”
lyrics
vocals: Justine Suissa
mix: Rising Star
“Armin Van Buuren has done much in his music career before even turning 30. Already a label owner, producer, and one of the most respected and loved DJs within the world of underground dance music; his style of trance goes beyond his contemporaries. The new single “Burned With Desire” featuring Justine Suissa comes in two forms and a bonus dub from Rising Star aka Armin Van Buuren. Rising Star takes the A-side all by itself. The Rising Star Mix starts with a 4/4 b-line that meets with an electro frequency and electric piano keys that meshes with snippets of Justine’s vocals. The up-tempo flipside of the coin gives a nice trancy breakdown that highlights the vocals and climbs into a nice repetition.”
Amanda Ghost “Filthy mind”
lyrics
vocals: Amanda Ghost
mix: Boy George
www.amandaghost.com
“Although it’s helped the careers and creativity of Bjork, Macy Gray, Tori Amos and Madonna, England hasn’t produced a major solo female rocker since Polly Jean Harvey. The U.K.’s best bid for renewed femme respect is a category-defying firebrand whose Ghost Stories evokes all those icons, yet asserts its own dark splendor. A Londoner of Indian and Spanish heritage, blessed with a husky vibrato from the house of Stevie Nicks, Amanda Ghost revels in classic singer-songwriter introspection, drama, melody and tough lyricism. On her debut album, former EMF guitarist Ian Dench and house remixer Lukas Burton twiddle today’s techno toys. The result is a rock-dance-folk studio marvel with songs as intrepid as the sonics. Swinging from the club-rock stomp of “Filthy Mind” to the orchestral grandeur of “Numb,” this beautiful outcast makes each track matter with a sweeping emotional range that suits the arrangements’ ornate bombast. Cellophane wraps her sprawling angst into one concise, Stones-y argument: Ghost’s talent is spooky.”
Mono “Life in mono”
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vocals: Siobhan de Mare
mix: Propellerhead
“Life in Mono” is perhaps the most enchanting song in Mono’s Formica Blues. It’s a pretty, trippy little trip-hop song with a revolving keyboard melody, and wistful lyrics. Sadly, few of the remixes are up to the standards of the original. More often than not, they merely make you wish for the simplicity of Mono’s uncluttered sound. … The UK trip-hop band Mono only produced one album, sadly. But at least it was an excellent one. And “Life in Mono” is an enchanting song, even if it loses some of its magic under the thick layers of bass and percussion here, along with some heavy electronic work. The Propellerhead remixes are probably the most even work in the single, maintaining their sound smoothly to the end.”
Zero 7 “Home”
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vocals: Tina Dico
www.zero7.co.uk
“Destiny”
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vocals: Sia Furler and Sophie Barker
“Somersault”
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vocals: Sia Furler
“Home” is the first single to be released from the eagerly awaited new album from Zero 7 When It Falls which will be available in March. Their first album Simple Things was truly wonderful and if you were a fan of it you’ll be happy with “Home.” They managed to capture the same spiritual essence and have kept the same trademark instruments featured in Simple Things like Fender Rhodes, light drum sounds and soft melodic guitar. The track starts softly that creates a wonderful light lounge ambience and the beautiful vocals of Tina Dico add a mesmerising soulful effect to the track. The lyrics are really honest and anyone could relate to them. The track continues to build adding more instruments to the mix such as horns, and leaves you feeling refreshed, uplifted and happy. A lovely track.”
Foggy “Come into my dream”
lyrics
Motorcycle “As the rush comes”
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vocals: Jes Brieden
mix: Gabriel & Dresden
“Motorcycle’s “As the Rush Comes” unites devotees of house and trance music. The genres of contemporary dance music are like paramecia: they love nothing more than fragmentation and evolution. Consequently, devotees of particular styles are very protective and insular about their chosen subgenres, which makes a record like Motorcycle’s “As the Rush Comes” (Ultra/Positiva) something of an anomaly. Indeed, it’s hard to recall a time in the past five years when the house and trance music communities both embraced the same record to the degree they have this one. Producers Josh Gabriel and Dave “The Wave” Dresden build their “Rush” around a groovy 4/4 kick drum and, as in their remix productions, meticulous synthesizer programming that’s completely unlike the calculator sine waves that comprise most of what passes for melody in current dance records. At no point during their epic Sweeping Strings Mix, or in the alternate remix by Dutch trancemaster Armin van Buuren, do Gabriel and Dresden play the usual dance game of shifting into a major key to win over drugged-up listeners. Not only that, singer and co-writer Jes is an essential part of the recording, not a featured vocalist brought in to warble generic platitudes over a pre-existing track.”“As the Rush Comes” is a mega cool hardcore trance song. The strong pulsing beat goes well with the brilliant vocals and eerie whispers … the song was produced by Gabriel & Dresden, they seem to continue their consistency with releasing good remixes. The 2nd remix on the single is the ‘Gabriel & Dresden Sweeping Strings Remix’. It’s technically not really a remix but rather an extended version of the 1st track clocking in at nearly 11 minutes. The extended version gives the song a chance to flow a bit more naturally - the radio edit of the song seems kind of abrupt but that is rectified here.”
Massive Attack “Man next door”
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vocals: Horace Andy
www.massiveattack.co.uk
“Protection”
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vocals: Tracey Thorne
“Teardrop”
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vocals: Liz Fraser
mix: Mad Professor
Mezzanine is the third and finest album from the most important British group of the 90’s, Massive Attack. Their debut, Blue Lines, virtually redefined UK soul music and invented the much-imitated genre of Trip Hop. If it’s follow up, 1994’s slick Protection was somewhat disappointing, then Mezzanine recaptures the spark of creativity and genre fusion that first thrust them onto the world stage. Mezzanine is trip hop’s logical conclusion, and this new sound is harder and more confrontational than before. It’s closest relative in the music world is The Prodigy’s The Fat of the Land; although that album fused heavy punk with dance music, Mezzanine fuses Radiohead-esque prog rock with hip-hop. “Teardrop” is many people’s favourite track. A sublime and simple song built around a stuttering drum beat and harpsichord riff, it also introduces us to Liz Fraser (of the Cocteau Twins) and her soothing, impossibly high vocals. “Man Next Door” is initially reminiscent of “Exchange” and that track’s shortcomings, in that it again is not a Massive Attack song and is similarly retro. But, in the context of the album, it works fine.”
Aurora “Ordinary world”
lyrics
vocals: Naimee Coleman
mix: Radio Edit
anime video
“Naimee Coleman provides the trance-like vocals for this dance revamp of a Duran Duran song from 1993. “A melodious trance record” is how the press release describes this song and I tend to agree although the word trance should be taken with a lump of sugar. There is a nice acoustic guitar riff in the radio edit and the extended mix is just that, an extended mix of the radio edit. The Condor mix is a little bit trancier with some slightly harder sounds and a good piano riff but nothing new for the ears. The Above and Beyond mix again has a few tougher sounds and gets stripped of the guitar. This should definitely find its way onto the dance floors of your friendly neighbourhood bar.”
“Sleeping satellite”
lyrics
vocals: Naimee Coleman
mix: Radio Edit
“Aurora have unearthed Tasmin Archer’s 1992 classic “Sleeping Satellite” and crafted it into a dance floor smasher. Many have tried to emulate “Sleeping Satellite” over the years but none have come close to Tasmin Archer’s 1992 hit which was #1 in 9 countries. Aurora’s rendition is simply outstanding, after their top 5 UK hit “Ordinary World” and their awsome self titled debut album last year, Aurora aka Simon Greenaway and Sacha Collisson have again teamed up with the gorgeous Irish vocalist Naimee Coleman. Naimee effortlessy delivers heartfelt lyrics over a hot bed of Sacha’s beautiful Balearic guitars, and Simon’s lush synthscapes and pumping beats.”
Telepopmusik “Breathe”
lyrics
vocals: Angela McCluskey
sample
“Hypnotic French electronic group Telepopmusik, whose debut single “Breathe” is a favorite on dancefloors, car stereos, and now televisions as the soundtrack to the popular current Mitsubishi Outlander SUV ad campaign, will embark on their first U.S. club tour … Telepopmusik’s debut album, Genetic World, a sweeping melange of sounds, styles and beats, was released in the U.S. in 2002 as an instant underground favorite…the album’s first single, “Breathe,” is a seductive, electronic siren song that pulses with the classic, jazz-inflected sounds of Scottish guest vocalist Angela McCluskey. Entertainment Weekly called the single “hypnotizing,” and Album Network said, “picture Massive Attack jamming with Kraftwerk while Giorgio Moroder orchestrates…truly time-stopping.” After a savvy executive at ad agency Deutch LA reportedly heard the track on Nic Harcourt’s influential KCRW radio program in Los Angeles, “Breathe” became the song that drives the new installment of Mitsubishi’s popular “Wake Up and Drive” campaign.”
No Doubt “It’s my life”
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vocals: Gwen Stefani
mix: Jacques Lu Cont
sample
www.nodoubtonline.com
“When I first heard this song, I didn’t give it to much notice. It wasn’t until I heard it the second time, and realized I knew all the words that I started paying attention. This song is absolutely amazing … everything about this song is perfection. Gwen sounds amazing, and the raw emotion she uses at times is superb. The music, as in instruments, are nothing short of amazing, and they all blend together so well. … No Doubt and their lead singer Gwen Steffani just get better and better. Despite what some critics say I think Gwen’s voice does do this song justice, she sings it with just the right amount of emotion and power and her voice is truly hypnotic as is her performance in the video, going from prison fatigues to sexy mistress in the blink of an eye. The video is very dark and satirical and fits the song like a glove. Brilliant!”
Kristine W “Save my soul”
lyrics
vocals: Kristine W
mix: Gabriel & Dresden
www.kristinew.com
YouTube audio
“While I’m not a big Kristine W. fan, I love this song. … I’ve always been bored by Kristine. The words are always really simple and are about as thought provoking as an Adam Sandler movie. But this song really got me, mostly because it really makes evident the power of the union of gospel-styled lyrics and vocals with a secular intention, the same energy that propelled Thelma Houston’s “Don’t leave me this way.” The title is “Save My Soul“, already sounding like a hymn. Then the lyrics could be interpreted as aimed at either divinity or a person, depending on how you look at it. Not that I’m gonna suggest that this be played alongside DC Talk, but it definitely has the possibility of multiple applications. The vote for best mix is a toss up between Junior’s and Gabriel & Dresden’s. However Junior’s mix is edited down from its original 12-minute duration to this 6-something truncation. So if you’re looking to spin something that’s gonna really take your crowd on a trip, go for G&D’s nearly 9-minute mix. It’s a bit more ambient and aerial than Junior’s stomper, but it’s really beautiful. The original mix is kinda techno-disco. Not bad, it just doesn’t keep up with the energy potential in Kristine’s vocals. The Cypher UK mix is nice but fails to really excite. And by the way, saying that something is “nice” is the equivalent of saying it’s ultimately forgettable, so next time you tell someone to have a nice day, try to think of something a little better.”
since 30 August 2007
