Ratings Board:
ACR 6
The Shamen 1
Utah Saints 2
Dreadzone 4
ACR 6
The Shamen 1
Utah Saints 2
Dreadzone 4
For today's showdown there are no pre-set guidelines. All choices are entierly up to the Teams themselves.
What Can You Do for Me (7 inch)
What Can You Do for Me (12 inch)
Trans-Europe Excess
What Can You Do for Me (Salt Lake mix)
What Can You Do for Me (12 inch)
Trans-Europe Excess
What Can You Do for Me (Salt Lake mix)
Zion Youth (Dreadzone mix)
Zion Youth (Digidub mix)
Zion Youth (Underworld mix)
Zion Youth (Dan Donovan mix)
Zion Youth (Digidub mix)
Zion Youth (Underworld mix)
Zion Youth (Dan Donovan mix)
Side A -
Flight
Side B -
Blown Away
...And Then Again
Flight
Side B -
Blown Away
...And Then Again
Coming on Strong (Beatmasters 7")
Coming on Strong (Beatmasters 12" vocal)
Make it Mine (Beatmasters 12" vocal)
Possible Worlds (live)
Coming on Strong (Beatmasters 12" vocal)
Make it Mine (Beatmasters 12" vocal)
Possible Worlds (live)
Tomorrow, Round 4,
NØ
What Can You Do for Me
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Zion Youth
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Flight
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S.O.S.
U09pZkF4_ate_UoD5Xlz-6oRV_qUcKkVqWlOl1UIwlQ
It's no secret that most of this is not really my thing at all (unlike Zoviet France and Rapoon, which are very much my thing). But after the last two weeks, I sort of miss writing something about music, so I decided to give these singles a try.
ReplyDeleteI remember not liking the The Shamen in the 80s and 90s, when I received promotional copies of their CDs from One Little Indian in the old fanzine days. I was really surprised that this lable published what to me sounded like mainstream pop music. It still does today and I still don't like it (I did like Mooz's comment that this may sound like an aerobics class on a cruise ship in the 90s - if they still did aerobics in the 90s).
I feel pretty much the same about the Utah Saints. I don't think it's good at all.
Dreadzone is not my cup of tea either, but I think I see the point of this music. There's a captivating bass line and some interesting sounds.
I wonder why I missed out on ACR back in the 80s. I think I found them too poppy, but I suppose that just means they were too grown-up for my younger self. This is quite pleasant, but not really what I'm into nowadays either. For me, they take an easy win over the other three, but then they are also very different from the others.
It's obvious that this is not the right competition for me to join. So, I think I'd better keep quiet and not spoil the fun for you. But at least I tried.
Thanks so much for the effort. Will miss you great insights but I know most of this is not for you. This set is a clash of 80s / 90s / 00s with post-punk Funk, techno, House, & JA beats all given a chance to promotr or highlight their areas of music. Just another experiment in terror.
DeleteACR all day, every day for me! Still doing it to a very high standard as well...
ReplyDeleteThanks, No Alla Violenza. I'll add your score to the tally. Thanks for playing along.
DeleteLooking at what I've written below, I'm conscious that I'm getting quite scathing in some of my criticism. I'll try and reign it in a bit tomorrow...
ReplyDeleteUtah Saints. "What Can You Do For Me". Sorry, it sounds to like a rehashed house remix that'll go down with little recollection on the dancefloor. Harsh and undoubtedly unfair, but I'm anonymous so I can write what I like! There's a tongue firmly in my cheek...
"Trans-Europe Excess" I thought this must be a play on The Kraftwerk track, but on further listening it merely has a wordplay on it's title. I'm getting a little bored of the Utah Saints...
Dreadzone. Dub reggae/dance vibe here. Some nice bass come into play on the Digidub mix - this track is the pick of the four for me. It fits in well to the sort of thing I'm listening to at the moment. I'm a big fan of Underworld, but the Underworld mix is just uninspiring to my ears. The Dan Donovan mix goes off piste so far it may well of been a different track.
ACR. Another out of place offering here; some of yesterdays comments apply. This time though, although early and lacking the polish of later ACR, I'm hearing elements of their later work, they've got a unique sound that takes them forward to their later unmistakable ACR funky sound. Liking "Flight" and especially (I'm a sucker for the drums) "Blown Away". "...And Then Again" does them no favours, sounding as it does like it was recorded in a cave - I suspect that you had to be there. Poor production is a real put-off for me. Listen to the track on ACR:Box
The Shamen. I'm trying to like The Shamen - they make some nice noises but for me they're lacking in the 'edge' that sets some artists apart. They seem to let a track build, only for it to go nowhere in the end. It's almost like they're trying to dance you through the night as effortlessly as possible. Which is kind of the point I suspect. I just prefer to be challenged a little more. I feel the same about The Pet shop Boys, but not Underworld.
Decision time: It's a toss up today between ACR and Dreadzone. Going with Dreadzone just because someone wasn't afraid to turn up the low bass on the "Digidub mix".
No need to rein things in in your commentary. Sharp & scathing is how we want it. The down-to-earth Truth. Appreciated fully.
DeleteAs for ACR, Mister Kein sez in another comment they sounded like they recorded in a bathtub & you said (bat)cave. Production value is obviously something to pay attention to on their attempts. I imagine ACR:Box was remastered for better fidelity.
I'll add your latest to the tally. Tanks again for all the input.
That "Digidub mix" really does sound good.
DeleteForgot to check in yesterday -- shame on me.
ReplyDeleteACR - the layers of sound, the atmosphere, the rhythms of "Flight" -- all wonderful. Reminds me of Ike Yard. An instrumental would be a clear winner. But the singer is dull, and the lyrics are uninteresting. Same with "And Then Again" (although I like the big sound of the bass). "Blown Away" sets up a great groove but doesn't go anywhere with it.
Dreadzone, on the other hand, has the evocative voice of Earl Sixteen. The remixes are nice, but the Dreadzone mix has the best riddim.
Shamen - to be a white MC (and a British one at that), you need something uniquely compelling to move the crowd, and this guy doesn't seem to have anything special. Is there a remix with just the female vocalist?
Utah Saints - according to Youtube this is their second most popular single. Meh.
DREADZONE gets my vote, a much better single from them today than on Day 1.
Well, brother, thanks for checking in today.
DeleteIf you meant "Possible World", try The Shamen - Possible World (Imaginary).
1995 Earl Sixteen joined Dreadzone as main vocalist & added is great style to their overall sound. I'll add your score to the current tally.
It's getting easier for me. I just need one minute to turn of the Shamen and Utah Saints when the cheesiness comes in... If I went somewhere and heard that, I would leave right away !
ReplyDeleteSo it's down to ACR and Dreadzone. ACR are ok but the vocals are a little bit bland (I read they hired a female vocalist at some point). Dreadzone are getting better everyday, Earl Sixteen makes my day and the Digidub is more bass heavy.
An easy one for Dreadzone !
Sorry if I didn't reply sooner. Guess I missed this one (after I read it & added your vote).
Delete