November 7th, 2006 3:58pm
Drink And Moan And Diss
Amy Winehouse "Rehab" - Amy Winehouse is well known in the UK for her severe public drunkeness, and so it seems reasonable to suspect that this song about refusing to go to rehab for alcoholism is at least semi-autobiographical. The track is a rather fantastic approximation of 60s R&B crafted by producers Salaam Remi and Mark Ronson, who manage to approach the genre with a tuneful subtlety that avoids dreary, bloodless traditionalism or drab pastiche. Winehouse matches their style with a relatively understated vocal that at best recalls the weary yet strident tone of Lauryn Hill, and lends depth to a song that conflates denial and stubborn pride. (Click here to buy it from Amazon UK. Thanks to Laurie!)
The Rapture "Whoo! Alright - Yeah, Uh-Huh (Simian Mobile Disco remix)" - I apologize if it upsets anyone that I've come back to the Rapture only a week after posting a review of their live show, but this remix is far too excellent to skip over and if you hear it, it should be rather plain that this is really more about Simian Mobile Disco. Though "W.A.Y.U.H." is a song comprised of several "best parts," the chant on the breakdown is the bit that everyone remembers for its rhythm and lyrical hook. The original track takes its time getting to that sweet spot, but Simian Mobile Disco cut to the chase and build their entire remix around that chant from the start. Without the context of Matty Safer's verses (or even his voice, aside from the "tick...tick...tick...ow!" bit), the uncertain critical dialogue of the song shifts over to a bratty, dismissive rant. Whereas the original version sets up an argument with its audience and comes to the conclusion that "people don't dance no more" in the hope of convincing them to cut loose via public shaming and/or reverse psychology, this intense house remix presupposes that the listener already agrees with the sentiment, and the chorus is meant to elicit hallelujahs from the people on the floor. (Click here for the "W.A.Y.U.H." MySpace page.)
The Rapture "Whoo! Alright - Yeah, Uh-Huh (Simian Mobile Disco remix)" - I apologize if it upsets anyone that I've come back to the Rapture only a week after posting a review of their live show, but this remix is far too excellent to skip over and if you hear it, it should be rather plain that this is really more about Simian Mobile Disco. Though "W.A.Y.U.H." is a song comprised of several "best parts," the chant on the breakdown is the bit that everyone remembers for its rhythm and lyrical hook. The original track takes its time getting to that sweet spot, but Simian Mobile Disco cut to the chase and build their entire remix around that chant from the start. Without the context of Matty Safer's verses (or even his voice, aside from the "tick...tick...tick...ow!" bit), the uncertain critical dialogue of the song shifts over to a bratty, dismissive rant. Whereas the original version sets up an argument with its audience and comes to the conclusion that "people don't dance no more" in the hope of convincing them to cut loose via public shaming and/or reverse psychology, this intense house remix presupposes that the listener already agrees with the sentiment, and the chorus is meant to elicit hallelujahs from the people on the floor. (Click here for the "W.A.Y.U.H." MySpace page.)
11/30/99 12:00 am
I checked out your Myspace there….nice layout.
Eddie
11/7/06 4:35 pm
Well, I for one appreciate excessive doses of The Rapture. I’m seeing them tonight, so this is a good prep for that. Thx!!!
11/7/06 4:49 pm
winehouse is also famous for her potty mouth (yay!) & alarming nicole richie style slimdown (noooo!) I’m really impressed with the production sound on her track. sounds eerily like a lost irma thomas number, albeit an anachronistic one. I almost wish it was shorter so it could be more period-authentic.
11/7/06 7:26 pm
That Amy W song is damn impressive - reminds me slightly of a female Barry Adamson, which aint no bad thing.
11/7/06 10:31 pm
You’re welcome! It was nice meeting you at the record fair.
11/7/06 11:29 pm
finally a fluxblog post worth downloading (the SMD remix)… it’s been a while since Mylo and Plastic Operator… a lot of dross in the middle
11/8/06 12:20 am
i do like the amy winehouse album, there’s at least 4 or 5 other songs as good as ‘rehab’ on it.
11/8/06 11:53 am
The Rapture remix is fantastic, if a bit over-long as everything seems to be nowadays. I used to play It’s Oh So Quiet or No Dancing by Smog during DJ sets when the floor was empty as a joke but I think you’ve found me a nice more usable alternative.
11/8/06 6:09 pm
I like the sampled “Oooo!”s. It reminds me of Dizzie Rascal’s “Fix Up, Look Sharp,” or something from the early nineties.
11/8/06 11:54 pm
fuckyeahfuckyeahfuckyeahfuckyeah
without a doubt the cream of smd’s remix crop.
11/18/06 7:42 pm
that smd remix is awesome - word on the street is that they’re in the studio this year and the album is going to drop before the summer next year!