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.)