27th January, 1997

Two past giants of dance release a couple of corkers this week...and the return of Damon's favourites: Pavement.

Single of the Week

"Lopez" by 808 State

808 State's fruitful collaboration with the Manics' James Dean Bradfield (Nicky Wire is also credited in the track's composition), this is a marriage of styles made in heaven. Bradfield's distinctive voice soars over a drum 'n bass backing, both parts of the track combining to generate a mellow, laid-back groove. South Pacific (state) keyboard notes lap around it like waves on a beach, making this a sun-kissed, lazy treat.

The CD single is awash with remixes. First is "Lopez (Metaphorically)", touched by the hand of none other than Brian Eno. The maverick composer adds more in the way of pulsing synth sounds to the song, fleshing out the bare rhythmic bones and producing a fuller, lusher sound. Next is "Lopez (Hard On)", this time remixed by The Propellerheads, who add a fast-paced, groovy techno beat (a la Daft Punk), turning Lopez from a come-downer into a floor-filler.

Closing the good-value offering are two 808 State remixes: the "No Regret - edit" which swathes the song in shimmering synth layers and accentuates the drum 'n bass rhythms; and the "Unforgettable" mix, which is the full version of "No Regret", and which allows 808 State to flex their soundbank muscles in a hi-tec collage.

Rating: 10/10

The Rest

"Toxygene" by The Orb

Masters of the ambient trance/dance scene, The Orb sneak up on us with their latest slice of stolen noises and otherworldly soundscapes. On "Toxygene", screeching cars, vibraphones, distorted speech and a squelchy bass are all chucked in a blender to produce a driving, pulsing wedge of infectious dance. One of their more accessible singles, it is phuture perfect.

A couple of remixes, as to be expected. The "Way Out West Begbie" mix, at near on 8 minutes, allows more noises to gatecrash the party, incorporating Latin rhythms and sampled effects to take "Toxygene" into another dimension. It is "Little Fluffy Clouds" meets "Theme From S-Express" and is wonderful. Dance to this.

The "Kris Needs Up For A Fortnight Mix" sees the song taken over by robots and given the full-on sci-fi techno treatment. Strobe lights are compulsory.

Extra track "Delta Mk III" is firmly in sonic sculpture mode; all abstract noise and ethereal soundforms. Using what appear to be old US public-service/advert samples, "Delta Mk III" is a spaced-out time machine travelling through the past picking up weird noises on its silver foil and coathanger antenna.

Rating: 9/10

"Stereo" by Pavement

Lo-fi US slackers extraordinaire, Pavement burst shambolically back into the indie scene with "Stereo". Not exactly one for the milkman to whistle, this is filled with off-kilter and obtuse guitar noises, coupled with typically bizarre lyrics. Like Beck without the disco record collection, Pavement have a rather odd world view. "Listen to me! I'm on the stereo!", Steve Malkmus screams over what you would probably call the chorus and you're not sure whether he's being ironic or really is amazed at that fact.

An original work of genius, or deliberately obscure tuneless nonsense. You decide. (I've decided on the former. Although not Pavement's best - "Two States" is - it is still vital, in a daft way).

"Westie Can Drum" is a more tuneful bit of alternative US rock, although still with Pavement's trademark oddities. It ends capturing the hellfire energy of The Pixies, which is no bad thing at all. The other extra track is "Winner Of The", an almost straight track and a goodie.

Rating: 8/10

"The Boy Who Wanted..." by The Slingbacks

I saw this lot supporting an amazingly bad Carter USM last year and was impressed with their blistering and scalding energy, plus their healthy unpretentiousness and sense of fun. Sadly, "The Boy Who Wanted..." doesn't capture this very well, coming across more like Belinda Carlisle, albeit with a smart tune. From a band that live can make Hole sound like Songs of Praise, this is not good enough.

B-side "Chrysanthemum" comes closer, with its sleazy, bluesy, boozy rawk - although the guitars could do with a bit more prominence. "Outdoor Miner" is another disappointment, being in the same vein as the a-side.

Give us more fire next time...

Rating: 5/10

HeadCleaner Back to HeadCleaner...