Pedestal 07: Daft Punk: Human Before All?

When Daft Punk’s Human After All first leaked a few months ahead of its 2005 release, many fans thought it was a stunt, a throwaway record to heckle internet pirates. However, it wasn’t meant to be. The album, recorded and mixed in a mere two weeks, was harshly criticized in the press for being rushed, repetitive and unoriginal, in stark contrast to the intricate, perfectionist design of their previous two albums, the genre-defining pair of Homework and Discovery. Conceived as a concept album about the dangers humanity faced at the hands of technology, it was ripped apart for sounding utterly inhuman and robotic. In their mission to strip back the music, intending to leave only raw emotion, they ended up digitizing any organic elements left in their sound. If the music press was to be believed, the great Daft Punk were at their creative end with Human After All, and all hope seemed lost for dance music.

Fast forward to 2008, and the blueprint of Human After All has permeated modern electronic music. Three years ago, its looped hooks and gritty guitars were lampooned for masking a lack of real emotion and substance (the pursuit of which, ironically, were the duo’s reasons for simplifying the production process). Now, it’s impossible to say that the record hasn’t had sweeping influence. The genre’s most buzzworthy acts, including heavy hitters from Justice and Simian Mobile Disco to MSTRKRFT and more, are greatly indebted to the album’s raw electronic template. To finish off this tale of musical comeuppance, Daft Punk has in the past year risen from the critically-mauled ashes of Human After All and regained their place at the top of the dance game. Thanks to their frantic, universally acclaimed Alive 2007 tour set, and the sea change in electronic music, the album’s tracks have been re-judged, and now stand comfortably alongside their best tracks as essential dance standards. Here are some cuts from the album (including one of my favorites, the hard-driving, tongue-in-cheek synths of "Emotion") and two reworkings from their recent shows. Juxtaposed with those are eight tracks and remixes by other more current artists that pick up where Human After All left off. Justice and Simian Mobile Disco are the most avid followers, though others like Mr. Oizo and Digitalism have joined the fray as well, dropping the electroclash in favor of fuzzier sounds. The mounting evidence shows that perhaps Daft Punk were actually ahead of the game with Human After All and its guitar-dance revisionism, precociously defying our initial doubts. Thanks to a fellow FlopPop poster for first making the observation--it was spot-on!

From Human After All:
Daft Punk, “Human After All” [YSI]
Daft Punk, “Television Rules The Nation” [YSI]
Daft Punk, “Emotion” [YSI]

From Alive 2007:
Daft Punk, “Touch It/Technologic” [YSI]
Daft Punk, “The Prime Time Of Your Life/The Brainwasher/Rollin’ & Scratchin’/Alive” [YSI]

The Followers:
Justice, “Phantom Pt. II” [YSI] (from †)
Justice Vs. Simian, “We Are Your Friends” [YSI]
The Black Ghosts, “I Want Nothing” [YSI] (from The Black Ghosts)
Simian Mobile Disco, “Tits & Acid” [YSI] (from Attack Decay Sustain Release)
MSTRKRFT, “Easy Love” (Edit) [YSI] (from The Looks)

Followers In The Mix:
Britney Spears Feat. Madonna, “Me Against The Music” (Justice Remix) [YSI]
Depeche Mode, “Never Let Me Down Again” (Digitalism Mix) [YSI]
Calvin Harris, “Merrymaking At My Place” (Mr. Oizo Remix) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixed & Mashed 24: Remixed Indie

Despite my best efforts, I haven't been having much success with the internet lately. I can't upload songs from home, and Starbucks (where I usually blog) has been having some wireless issues over the past week. Luckily, I worked today, so I can finally post these mixes I've had kicking around on my iTunes playlists! Rounding up some more indies, I've got a bunch of great mixes, some new and some a bit older. Moby's latest single "I Love To Move In Here" gets a killer bassline courtesy of Crookers, turning the low-fi piano house song into a bumping beat fest. Cut Copy really hit the nail on the head with "Hearts On Fire," so mixing wasn't really needed to improve on its pop genius, but Calvin Harris turns in one of his best with his new take on it. Also pretty new is Justice's remix of MGMT's summer singalong "Electric Feel," creating a unique, and (unsurprisingly) amazing hybrid of their distinctive sounds. Mylo's old album track "Paris Four Hundred" is just now getting the remix treatment, a few years after his album's promotional cycle ended, with a glitchy extended version from Etienne De Crecy being the pick of the three new mixes. Vampire Weekend, with perhaps my favorite new album of the year, are still being played in heavy rotation, and while the "insane mix" of "Walcott" isn't up to the standard of the album, it is a decent reworking of one of their debut record's standouts. The Knife and Ratatat are both pretty out there in terms of sheer weirdness, so the old Ratatat remix of "We Share Our Mother's Health" is by nature a strange proposition worth hearing. To wrap up, I've included two recent Diplo remixes, of my other new fave Santogold's low-key album track "Starstruck" and The Black Ghosts' deadly catchy "Repetition Kills You." Fingers crossed for online success so posts won't start getting erratic!

Moby, "I Love To Move In Here" (Crookers Bass In Here Remix) [YSI]
Cut Copy, "Hearts On Fire" (Calvin Harris Remix) [YSI]
MGMT, "Electric Feel" (Justice Remix) [YSI]
Mylo, "Paris Four Hundred" (Etienne De Crecy Remix) [YSI]
Vampire Weekend, “Walcott” (Insane Mix) [YSI]
The Knife, "We Share Our Mother's Health" (Ratatat Remix) [YSI]
Santogold, "Starstruck" (Diplo Remix) [YSI]
The Black Ghosts, "Repetition Kills You" (Diplo Remix) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Open Your Box 19: New Indie Intrigues

Continuing the "indie intrigues," here are picks from a couple of albums I just picked up. They're technically not new, with the exception of Ratatat's just-released LP3, but they're still new listening for me. To represent the only fresh music of the bunch, I selected the quirky, intriguing "Mirando" from Ratatat's entirely instrumental new album. Going back more than five years, Saint Etienne are rarely off their game, as the bouncy "Soft Like Me" from 2002's Finisterre ably demonstrates. A bit more on the subdued side of things, Darkel is one half of famed French electronica duo Air gone solo. "At The End Of The Sky" is just one of a handful of tracks on his self-titled side project that actually surpasses much of the material on Air's nearly concurrently-released recent album Pocket Symphony. Last, but miles from least, I just picked up the last of Pizzicato Five's quintet of US-released albums on Matador Records, the subtly-titled The Fifth Release From Matador. First released in 2000 in Japan (and a year later stateside), it sees them reaching the end of their creative rope in some respects. Despite its consistently great tracks, it seems they're rehashing many of their old tricks and trying too hard to push in some others. Regardless, standouts like the shimmering "Darlin' Of Discothèque” ensured that the final years of their storied career were still fruitful ones. Stay tuned for a third indie-centric round-up including fresh remixes of independent artists.

Ratatat, “Mirando” [YSI] (from LP3)
Saint Etienne, “Soft Like Me” [YSI] (from Finisterre)
Darkel, “At The End Of The Sky” [YSI] (from Darkel)
Pizzicato Five, “Darlin' Of Discothèque” [YSI] (from The Fifth Release From Matador)

***Note: Links removed***

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Hits 31: New Indie Intrigues

Don't worry, I'm not about to take another big break just yet! I've got a handful of new singles from indie artists on my regularly-updated personal hits playlist to share. To clarify, when I say "indie" I don't mean whatever the web's biggest bloggers and Berkeley's (or anywhere's) resident hipsters consider cool for this week, since I clearly pay little attention to that (sorry, classmates, you're not as cool as you think!). By indie I just mean artists who are signed to independent labels, which is true for all five of tonight's featured performers. One of my first purchases of the year, Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut, is still one of my favorites. Third single "Oxford Comma" is another of the record's many standout tracks, with another stylishly simple, jaunty video from the group to support it. I already featured Hot Chip's upcoming single in a review of their new album Made In The Dark, but it's worth repeating for its midtempo hooks. Moby arguably hasn't been on top form for some time, but his latest disc Last Night breaks the veteran's curse with some classic tunes, including its downtempo house-flavored new single "I Love To Move In Here." Alphabeat are making waves across the pond with their fresh brand of upbeat pop, best heard on songs like the big, synth-tastic 80s throwback of upcoming single "Boyfriend," featured here in a new radio remix. From the opposite end of the pop spectrum, Lykke Li goes the minimal route, embellishing her stirring new single "Breaking It Up" with little more than simple electronics and choir vocals.

Video: Vampire Weekend, "Oxford Comma" (from Vampire Weekend)


Downloads:
Vampire Weekend, “Oxford Comma” [YSI] (from Vampire Weekend)
Hot Chip, “Touch Too Much” [YSI] (from Made In The Dark) [previously featured in New Records Round-up]
Moby, “I Love To Move In Here” [YSI] (from Last Night)
Alphabeat, “Boyfriend” (Pete Hammond 7” Mix) [YSI] (original on This Is Alphabeat)
Lykke Li, “Breaking It Up” [YSI] (from Youth Novels)

***Note: Links removed***

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Classics 26: The Fabulous Life

Unfortunately, it seems I've spent too much of 2008 being bitter and unappreciative of all the great things in my life. Time away from the stresses of Berkeley has give me some perspective and refocused me to be able to comprehend how fabulous my life really is. From the amazing friends to the always ridiculous adventures, there's not a whole lot to complain about. Here are eight tracks all about living the beautiful life, kicking off with the Pet Shop Boys' hilarious novelty charity single "Absolutely fabulous," featuring the ageless comediennes from the show of the same name. Moby's cheeky take on celebrity vanity, "Beautiful," follows, along with yet another unforgettably sunny track by Pizzicato Five. Natalie Imbruglia's songs range from cheerful to sourly introspective, but on "Glorious" she's in full celebratory mode. Madonna went crazy for French dance on Music, helping tracks like the joyous "Amazing" transcend the stigma of being written by a middle-aged pop star. Robbie Williams may have been running out of ideas by the time of his fifth solo album, but "Something Beautiful" retains his classic charm and wit. U2 vacillated in and out of relevancy in the late 1990s, but thankfully "Beautiful Day" put them back on solid footing, and remains one of their finest singles. Finally, as a treat, enjoy an unreleased remix of Gwen Stefani's "Luxurious" featuring Ludacris on rap duties. It's a vast improvement over the stale production of the album version, and undoubtedly should have been the proper single version. Alas, life goes on (with a generous helping of excess and glamor) regardless.

Pet Shop Boys, "Absolutely fabulous" (single version) [YSI] (from Very/Further listening 1992-1994)
Moby, "Beautiful" [YSI] (from Hotel)
Pizzicato Five, "A Perfect World" [YSI] (from The Fifth Release From Matador)
Natalie Imbruglia, "Glorious" [YSI] (from Glorious: The Singles 97-07)
Madonna, "Amazing" [YSI] (from Music)
Robbie Williams, "Something Beautiful" [YSI] (from Escapology)
U2, "Beautiful Day" [YSI] (from The Best Of 1990-2000)

Bonus:
Gwen Stefani, "Luxurious" (Remix Feat. Ludacris) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Shameless 06: Country Girls

I haven't been shameless in a while (well, I consistently am, but not on the blog!). To get back into some embarrassingly amazing music, here are country-laced picks for your listening pleasure. Primal Scream are hardly country, but their rollicking, blues-flavored "Country Girl" gave their career some much needed late-state resuscitation. Since I don't have a whole lot of country music on my computer, I picked out two tracks by each of my favorite country girls. When I was much younger, Shania Twain's blockbuster album Come On Over seemed to be on perpetual repeat in my house, so it makes perfect sense that years later I still know all the songs and feel the need to relive them. Two of the disc's singles, "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" and "That Don't Impress Me Much" are featured for your (far from) guilty pleasure listening. The Dixie Chicks have had more impact than most other female country artists, and in fact most girl groups of any genre, as career-spanning tracks like recent "The Long Way Around" and now-ancient "Wide Open Spaces" easily back up.

Primal Scream, "Country Girl" (Edit) [YSI] (from Riot City Blues)
Shania Twain, "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" [YSI] (from Come On Over)
Shania Twain, "That Don't Impress Me Much" [YSI] (from Come On Over)
Dixie Chicks, "The Long Way Around" [YSI] (from Taking The Long Way)
Dixie Chicks, "Wide Open Spaces" [YSI] (from Wide Open Spaces)

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixtape 09/Dear Ibiza 19: Back To Love: Heavy Hitters

As promised yesterday, here is the second half of my personal Back To Love compilation album. Modeled after Hed Kandi's hit compilation series of the same name, the collection features two full discs of undeniable club classics. The first half featured favorites from the actual Back To Love series, including memorable dancefloor hits from the late 1980s and early 1990s. This portion features tracks I picked from across my entire library, rather than just the Hed Kandi albums, to fit the mantra of "true club classics." Kicking off with some early dub-infused acid house courtesy of Primal Scream, things immediately get heated with an absolute anthem, the David Morales remix of Jamiroquai's "Space Cowboy." It's easy to see how the track jump-started their (still valid) reputation as dancefloor mainstays. Faithless's seminal pre-trance hit "Insomnia," along with long-revered essentials like the Chemical Brothers' "Block Rockin' Beats" and Underworld's "Born Slippy," characterized the club scene of the mid-1990s, and set the tone for all great dance music to come after. Even club skeptics will have a hard time admitting they aren't familiar with tracks like Whitney Houston's empowering "I'm Every Woman" or Ce Ce Peniston's "Finally," while some older tracks from present-day hitmakers may be a bit less well known (like classic club mixes by Björk, Madonna, Pet Shop Boys, Saint Etienne, New Order and Basement Jaxx). Any fan of pop or club music will find something to love about these tracks, hand-picked by yours truly to showcase the roots of modern club music. Enjoy it!

CD2: The Heavy Hitters Mix
1. Primal Scream, "Loaded" (Terry Farley Remix) [YSI] (from Back To Love 03.04 and Dirty Hits [Limited Edition])
2. Jamiroquai, "Space Cowboy" (Classic Club) [YSI] (from High Times: Singles 1992-2006 [Limited Edition])
3. Björk, "Human Behaviour" (The Underworld Mix 110 BPM) [YSI] (from the EP The Best Mixes from the Album-Debut)
4. Faithless, "Insomnia" (Monster Mix) [YSI] (from Forever Faithless: The Greatest Hits) [previously featured in Dear Ibiza 02]
5. The Chemical Brothers, "Block Rockin' Beats" [YSI] (from Singles 93-03)
6. Madonna, "Erotica" (Masters At Work Dub) [YSI] (from GHV2 Remixed: The Best Of 1991-2001)
7. Pet Shop Boys, "Can You Forgive Her?" (Rollo Remix) [YSI]
8. Whitney Houston, "I'm Every Woman" (Clivillés & Cole Mix) [YSI] (from The Greatest Hits)
9. Ce Ce Peniston, "Finally" (12” Choice Mix) [YSI] (from The Mix: Summer 2004)
10. Saint Etienne, "Who Do You Think You Are" (Strobelights & Platform Shoes Mix) [YSI]
11. New Order, "World" (Perfecto Mix) [YSI] (from the digital compilation Best Remixes)
12. Underworld, "Born Slippy" [YSI] (from Trainspotting)
13. Basement Jaxx, "Flylife" (Single Edit) [YSI] (from The Singles)

I also wanted to take a second to give a huge, huge thank you to all the readers who visit this site every day and make it a part of their routine to check back in for new music. What started out as a humble little blog to share some recommendations with friends has grown into a big part of my life, with some pretty remarkable traffic. If it wasn't for all you readers validating my picks, I wouldn't still be doing this. So make sure to leave me lots of comments so I know you like what you hear, and make suggestions and requests, and (preferably constructively) criticize!

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Classics 25: Party Starters

Sometimes when I can't think of post idea, I just pick out a song or two that vaguely fit a theme and expand on it. In this case, I've sought out some party themed tracks and, perhaps surprisingly, they all work together pretty well. P!nk wrote the perfect song for getting ready with her first truly big hit "Get The Party Started." The Cardigans are at their classiest on "Gordon's Gardenparty," a tale of a golden afternoon gone right from their absolute classic record (and my all-time favorite album) Life. Moloko became known later in their career for their engaging dance numbers, but back in the day they were all about weird, quirky pop like the funky, hilarious "Party Weirdo." Justice get gritty with Uffie on the catchy "TTHHEE PPAARRTTYY," followed up by the unrivaled pop hooks of Nelly Furtado on "Party." Sharam (half of the duo Deep Dish) remakes Eddie Murphy's embarrassing "Party All The Time" and makes it palatable for the dancefloor, where shameless pop novelties belong. Now get out there and party!

P!nk, "Get The Party Started" [YSI] (from Missundaztood)
The Cardigans, "Gordon's Gardenparty" [YSI] (from Life)
Moloko, "Party Weirdo" [YSI] (from Do You Like My Tight Sweater?)
Justice Feat. Uffie, "TTHHEE PPAARRTTYY" [YSI] (from †)
Nelly Furtado, "Party" [YSI] (from Whoa, Nelly!)
Sharam, "P.A.T.T. (Party All The Time)" (Radio Edit) [YSI]

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixtape 08/Dear Ibiza 18: Back To Love: Club Classics

I've spent the past few days compiling a real treat for club music fans. Over the course of two posts, I'll be presenting my very own version of Hed Kandi's famous Back To Love compilation series. For those who aren't familiar with the label or the albums, I'll fill you in a bit. Hed Kandi was started back in 1999 by DJ Mark Doyle as a refined dance music label for a discerning generation of club-inclined listeners. Its very first releases were Back To Love albums, documenting the classic club jams (circa the late 1980s and early 1990s) that made dance music what it is now. One disc would feature house cuts, while the second included deeper tracks, even including some R&B and hip-hop. The series is one of the few that has survived from the beginning of the label to the present day, and has shifted its focus to covering later years of club tracks (and also sticking just to house music).

I don't have as many Back To Love albums as I do of some of the label's other mainstay series (like Beach House or Disco Kandi), but I have enough albums and mixed collections in my library to pick out some favorites. The first disc in my homemade Back To Love mixtape consists of classic cuts picked from the Hed Kandi albums. The second half (still to come) will feature cuts from mainstream acts cherry-picked from across my entire music library, again unified as essential club staples. If you like what you hear, I'd recommend picking up the 2004 edition or The Mix: Summer 2004 if you'd also like to try out some other Hed Kandi flavors. I'll skip over the big commentary I usually give, as the music can really speak for itself, but I will point out some favorites. The Brand New Heavies' "Back To Love" manages to sound both retro and fresh, while "Slave To The Vibe" and "Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)" are funky essentials sure to keep you dancing even after a first listen. Club queen Ce Ce Peniston and Inner City also deliver groovy club bangers, just a few of the best from a great set of true club classics. Enjoy the music and stay tuned for more roots of modern club culture coming soon.

CD1: The Club Classics Mix
1. Lisa Lisa And Cult Jam, "Let The Beat Hit 'Em" (L L With Love R C Mix) [YSI]***
2. Aftershock, "Slave To The Vibe" (12" Club Mix) [YSI]+
3. The Brand New Heavies, "Back To Love" (Graeme Park Remix) [YSI]***
4. Ce Ce Peniston, "We Got A Love Thang" (Silky House Thang) [YSI]^
5. Clivillés And Cole Feat. Deborah Cooper, "A Deeper Love" (Club Mix) [YSI]^
6. Sub Sub Feat. Melanie Williams, "Ain't No Love (Ain't No Use)" (Original Full Length 12" Mix) [YSI]^
7. Secret Life, "As Always" (Gospel Radio Edit) [YSI]^
8. Inner City, "Big Fun" (Original 12" Mix) [YSI]#
9. Pamela Fernandez, "Kickin' In The Beat" (Extended Dance Mix) [YSI]#
10. Jomanda, "Got A Love For You" (Hurley's House Mix) [YSI]***
11. Joe Smooth, "Promised Land" (Original Mix) [YSI]***
12. Rhythm Is Rhythm, "Strings Of Life" (Piano Mix) [YSI]+

*** from The Mix 50
+ from The Mix: Summer 2004
^ from Back To Love 03.04
# from Back To Love 03.05

***Note: Links removed***

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Mixed & Mashed 23: More White Labelling

The sequel to the first white label feature includes another six innovative remakes of essential tracks. I was never a fan of The Raconteurs' debut single "Steady, As She Goes," but the slow-burning club take by Tommie Sunshine is a major improvement for pop fans. Rihanna's "Umbrella," on the other hand, never needed fixing, but the Vandalism/Diplo remix is a great sliced-apart, amped-up revisioning. Similarly, Sugababes get their hit "About You Now" turned into a stomping, skipping beast by The Videoband. The same remixer totally deconstructs Yelle's otherwise laid-back "Ce Jeu" to give it a dissonant electro growl. Vandalism strike again with their enormous bass on a version of Whitney Houston's "I'm Every Woman." To wrap up the white label feature, Night Facilities turn Daft Punk's late-period classic "Prime Time Of Your Life" into a mash-up of all their best moments, mirroring the French duo's own signature live antics.

The Raconteurs, "Steady, As She Goes" (Slave To The Sunshine Remix) [YSI]
Rihanna Feat. Jay-Z, "Umbrella" (VNDLSM Remix - Diplo Re-edit) [YSI]
Sugababes, "About You Now" (About The Videoband Remix) [YSI]
Yelle, "Ce Jeu" (Slaughtered By The Videoband) [YSI]
Whitney Houston, "I'm Every Woman" (Vandalism Remix) [YSI]
Daft Punk, "Prime Time Of Your Life" (Night Facilities Remix) [YSI]

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Tender Ballads 11

I have to admit that I've been neglecting my ballads playlist for a few weeks now. Of course, it is bright, hot and sunny all day every day in Los Angeles, but that's no excuse! Here's the eleventh (!) installment of tender tracks. The one tracks I wanted to post for sure was Imogen Heap's "Hide And Seek," a haunting near-elegy that has served as soundtrack to many dramatic scenes. Next up is No Doubt's "Magic's In The Makeup," an ages-old album track also about hiding behind a superficial mask. Kylie Minogue has never been a master of balladry, but her discography has some great slower moments scattered throughout, like the sweeping "Cosmic" from her latest record. To wrap up, I've picked out two super-tender old school favorites that everyone should know, George Michael's "Father Figure" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time."

Imogen Heap, "Hide And Seek" [YSI] (from Music From The O.C.: Mix 5)
No Doubt, "Magic's In The Makeup" [YSI] (from Return Of Saturn)
Kylie Minogue, "Cosmic" [YSI] (from X)
George Michael, "Father Figure" [YSI] (from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of)
Cyndi Lauper, "Time After Time" [YSI] (from She's So Unusual)

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Tender Ballads 11

I have to admit that I've been neglecting my ballads playlist for a few weeks now. Of course, it is bright, hot and sunny all day every day in Los Angeles, but that's no excuse! Here's the eleventh (!) installment of tender tracks. The one tracks I wanted to post for sure was Imogen Heap's "Hide And Seek," a haunting near-elegy that has served as soundtrack to many dramatic scenes. Next up is No Doubt's "Magic's In The Makeup," an ages-old album track also about hiding behind a superficial mask. Kylie Minogue has never been a master of balladry, but her discography has some great slower moments scattered throughout, like the sweeping "Cosmic" from her latest record. To wrap up, I've picked out two super-tender old school favorites that everyone should know, George Michael's "Father Figure" and Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time."

Imogen Heap, "Hide And Seek" [YSI] (from Music From The O.C.: Mix 5)
No Doubt, "Magic's In The Makeup" [YSI] (from Return Of Saturn)
Kylie Minogue, "Cosmic" [YSI] (from X)
George Michael, "Father Figure" [YSI] (from Ladies & Gentlemen: The Best Of)
Cyndi Lauper, "Time After Time" [YSI] (from She's So Unusual)

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Open Your Box 18: Truth Hurts

For some inexplicable reason, I hadn't heard Handsome Boy Modeling School's collaboration with my personal favorite Róisín Murphy until very recently. "The Truth" is a departure for the former Moloko vocalist, seeing her abandon traditional song structure and a predictable melody in favor of dissonance and uneven phrasing. It ends up being one of her best tracks, with lyrics that will stick in your head for days. In the same vein, here are a handful of tracks vaguely related to the themes of truth and reality. To be honest, I just picked tracks randomly from my iTunes library by searching for "truth" and "lies." They all pretty much fit, though, from a remix of Amy Winehouse's bitter anthem "Love Is A Losing Game" onwards. Depeche Mode released classic single after classic single in the early 90s, including the haunting, essential "Policy Of Truth." Björk's best remix by far, Soft Pink Truth's injection of energetic electronic beats into "It's In Our Hands" does the already-great song wonders. Last, The Arcade Fire proved that blog hype can't always distill the quality of your music long ago with the soaring "Rebellion (Lies)," from their first album. I guess the truth isn't all there is Róisín--there's always music!

Handsome Boy Modeling School Feat. Róisín Murphy & J-Live, "The Truth" [YSI] (from So...How's Your Girl?)
Amy Winehouse, "Love Is A Losing Game" (Truth & Soul Mix) [YSI]
Depeche Mode, "Policy Of Truth" (Single Version) [YSI] (from The Singles 86>98)
Björk, "It's In Our Hands" (Soft Pink Truth Mix) [YSI]
The Arcade Fire, "Rebellion (Lies)" [YSI] (from Funeral)

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Mixed & Mashed 22: White Labelled

I wasn't always such a remix fiend, but in the last year or so, I've become addicted to the endless musical variations offered by remix culture. Sure, most of the remixes I listen to follow a pretty predictable template of merely translating a song for club friendliness, but with time and a tireless eye, it's not too difficult to find amazing remakes of all your favorite tracks. Alongside the usual host of commissioned remixes are a handful of unofficial takes, done by everyone from your local DJ to the biggest names in the industry. Ending up online, on white label promos or confined to a small listening circle, the best of them can often surpass the commercially-available remixes most commonly heard in clubs. After much collecting, it's time for me to look back and round up some of my favorites.

For the first installment (part two is imminent), I've started out with two recent white label mixes. The first is a booming club rework of Madonna's dance standard "Into The Groove," which, although taking a bit of a safe remix angle, is a worthwhile cheap thrill. Next up is a promo-only track intended for full single release in the near future, a rework/mash-up of Natasha Bedingfield's "I Bruise Easily" with Chicane's "Saltwater." Crookers are notorious for their bass-heavy underground mixes of popular tracks, and their juicy stripdown of Nelly Furtado's "Maneater" is no exception. Inner City's old school "Big Fun" gets an extended and groovy, if unremarkable, mix by Simian Mobile Disco. Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" was perfect in its own right as a filthy dance track, but the "Run Jeremy" mixes by Tocadisco are nice variations. To wrap up the first half, A-Trak have cut up Kanye West's already robotic "Stronger" for a crucial remake.

Video: Chicane Vs. Natasha Bedingfield, "Bruised Water"


Downloads:
Madonna, "Into The Groove" (Sidechains Remix) [YSI]
Chicane Vs. Natasha Bedingfield, "Bruised Water" (Original Radio Edit)
Nelly Furtado, "Maneater" (Crookers Remix) [YSI]
Inner City, "Big Fun" (Simian Mobile Disco Remix) [YSI]
Aphex Twin Vs. Tocadisco, "Windowlicker" (Run Jeremy's XXX Lick Mix) [YSI]
Kanye West, "Stronger" (A-Trak Remix) [YSI]

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