4th May, 1998


Not much, but not bad.

Single of the Week

"Kelly Watch The Stars" by Air



Whereas the likes of Stereolab are 2001 A Space Odyssey, all horizon-fixed gazes and sucked-in cheeks, Air are more Battlestar Galactica, wobbly sets, dodgy costumes and all. And "Kelly Watch The Stars" is fromage extraordinaire, with synthed vocals, glitterdust production and platform boots the height of the Eiffel Tower. Admittedly, it never really gets past its "Kelly watch the stars" refrain, but it travels its own little orbit in best Barbarella-bonking style, which makes it a vital thing indeed.

An absolutely bonkers mix (the "Sex Kino" version) of "Sexy Boy" follows, which takes the original, covers it in garlic butter then fries it over a low heat as a big fat greasy chef makes farty noises in the background. Mmmm. The LP version of "Kelly" shimmies along next, more understated than the a-side, but only just - saying Air are capable of understatement is like saying Chris Evans is noted for his modesty. "Remember" arrives last, a swoonsome electro-gallic glissade that sounds like a song for Europe for the 21st century.

Bugger the football, this is France 98.

Rating: 9/10

The Rest

"Pacific808:98" by 808 State

808 State were the true pioneers of electronic crossover dance music, churning out blissed-out and loved-up anthems into the Madchester scene back in the days when the Chemical Brothers were squabbling over their toys, and the Prodigy were raving out of their heads to the sound of old road safety adverts. "Pacific808" was perhaps 808 State's defining moment, and here Massey and co resurrect it, dressing it in more modern post-jungle beats and letting it loose upon the nation. Incapable of having the same jaw-dropping effect it had back then, it is still a monster choon, but kind of like seeing a well-loved and slightly aged relative running round the kitchen wearing fetish gear. Funny, interesting - enjoyable even - but also a little inappropriate.

Alternative mixes (Groove Jeep mix and Pacific707) follow, the former being like a soundtrack to Miami Vice starring Roni Size and Bjork, the latter being practically the same as the 1989 original, if slightly hazy memory serves correctly. Completing the picture is "Cubik" another past-blasting original that picks your house up by the foundations and repeatedly slams it down on the ground. Fan-fkn-tastic, in other words. Play loud.

Rating: 8/10

"Sleep On The Left Side" by Cornershop

Cornershop are cursed to forever live in the shadow of "Brimful Of Asha", and "Sleep On The Left Side" is predictably not a patch on the addiction-on-a-stick that was their previous numero uno. As before, the a-side is tuneful, exotic strumalong fare, but it is the remix version that truly shines. Here, Ex-Housemartin Slim has no hand in the proceedings, the honours instead going to Ashley Beedle. But whereas Cook's mix of Asha injected a much-needed shot of adrenalin into the song, Beedle (watch out) instead chooses to dub "Sleep On The Left Side" up, admittedly introducing a stoned jaunty accent into the mix. Just too lazy-days to be essential, however.

Les Rythmes Digitales take a more electronic slant on the song, rather the same way you expect Daft Punk or Air would, and metamorphise the original into a New Order song. All it needs is Hooky's low-slung bass salvos and the deception would be complete. An extended mix of the Ashley Beedle version is last, lengthening something that was stretched pretty thin as it was.

Rating: 7/10

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