REVIEWS PAGE
Below you find some music reviews from other music and music chart lovers just like yourself. Each listing is rated as explained in the key below:
***** 5 Stars (Outstanding)
**** 4 Stars (Very Good)
*** 3 Stars (Good)
** 2 Stars (Average)
* 1 Star (Poor)
0 Stars ( Total Trash)
January 3. 2000:
The following reviews were submitted by Matt of Columbus, OH!!
CLOUD
NO. 9- Bryan Adams ** 1/2
I don't know much
about this song other than that a friend mentioned that Chicane did a
remix of this song after teaming up with Bryan Adams last year on DON'T GIVE UP.
The version I downloaded from Napster is a mid tempo pop/rock number coming in
at 112 beats per minute. And yes, those are dance beats! This song could
definately be a Top 40 hit if it was promoted to radio.
SING IT BACK VS. I FEEL LOVE- Moloko ** 1/2
Moloko's hit from a
few years ago was remixed again last fall with the song's original vocal track
on top of a loop from Donna Summer's classic I FEEL LOVE. I had high hopes for
this song when I first heard about it, but I am a bit disappointed with the
results. The song's production is kind of minimal and doesn't really go
anywhere.
GLORIOUS- Andreas Johnson ****
The original version
of this song is a good rock track. Here we have a club mix from Hani. It reminds
me of how Filter's rock song TAKE A PICTURE became a club hit in 2000. The remix
features flamenco guitar and haunting, catchy vocals. You will find yourself
humming this song throughout the day. My only problem with this remix is a
problem I have with many of the club remixes being done today. The mix is very
lengthy (almost 10 minutes) and it is over 5 minutes into the song before the
first verse even begins. Give me an edit!
PETALS- Mariah Carey ***
AGAINST ALL ODDS- Mariah Carey ***
First, I must say
that I do not like Mariah Carey. I think she has had much more success on the
charts than she deserves. These two songs were remixed by The Pound Boys whom I
recently heard some good things about. I like the classic house sound of the
90's (think Love To Infinity or David Morales) and these remixes fall into that
territory. Even though the production isn't top notch, both of these remixes are
worth listening to if you have ever liked a previous Mariah Carey club mix.
SO FABULOUS, SO FIERCE- Thunderpuss Feat. Jocelyn Enriquez ***
This song is FUN! A
classic Chic song (LE FREAK) with new vocals and the traditional Thunderpuss
sound.
PULL UP TO THE BUMPER- Grace Jones ***
Early 80's club hit
is even better in 2000. Features lots of filter effects.
TOTALLY- Shaboom **
Soulful, gospel
sounding house track.
SO IN LOVE WITH TWO- Mikila ** 1/2
I heard Mikaila
described as a "teenage Celine Dion with sex appeal." Please! Saint
Celine would never record a song with a title like this one and at least on this
track Mikaila's vocals don't sound a thing like Celine's. Basically, this mix
done by Hex Hector is okay and very typical of the work he is currently
releasing. Not bad but nothing spectacular.
ISSUES- Vernessa Mitchell **
Lengthy hard house
track that can be worked into any gay circuit party set. Remix by Friburn and
Urik.
FABULOUS- Boris and Beck ** 1/2
Yet another hard
house circuit party tune. No vocals other than a few spoken word samples thrown
in here and there. Still, I kind of like this track. Plenty of energy!
LIFETIME TO LOVE- CeCe Peniston **
Rosabel's Circuit
Mix. Decent vocals but I would have liked this song to have more of a 90's sound
with keyboard, piano chords and strings rather than the cold hard house beat
that this mix features. Maybe the mix I am wishing for is out there somewhere,
but this mix definately is not it.
U TURN ME- Byron Stingily and Lee John **
MISS THE WAY- Reina **
I don't know who did
the remixes of these songs which I downloaded from Napster but to me both have
the same characteristics of many of the other songs that I have recently gotten.
The songs are long. Very long! Plus, they sound like everything else being
played in clubs: hard house!
THE POWER OF ONE- Donna Summer **
Sound Factory Mix.
Great vocals and originally a good song. This mix just does not appeal to me.
ORDINARY WORLD- Aurora ** 1/2
A trance track with
full vocals! It's not bad for a Duran Duran remake.
WOMAN IN LOVE- Ariel ** 1/2
Plasmic Honey Mix.
Barbara Streisand hit from 1980 remade complete with vocoder vocals and fast
trance instrumentation.
THE FALL- Way Out West ** 1/2
Coming in at 134
beats per minute, here is an alright track that would fit into any trance set.
SAY IT- Crystal Clear ***
This is the type of
dance song that I like listening to. Full vocals. Melody. Plenty of keyboards.
Just an all around good house track at 124 beats per minute.
LIVING FOR LOVE- Natalie Cole ***
The Frankie Knuckles
mix of this song is the one to go with. Imagine a church choir singing gospel
music to a dance beat.
THE BEST OF YOU- Subsystem ***
Filtered disco
track.
JAZZIN' THE WAY YOU ARE- Jazzy M. ***
This song is a remix
of the 1984 song LET'S GO TOGETHER by the disco/soul group Change. It makes me
mad when a remixer takes an old song, remixes it, and then claims that the song
is his original production. Still, the results here are pretty good. In my
opinion, Change recorded some of the best disco songs ever. Their 1980 album,
THE GLOW OF LOVE is awesome!
DREAMING- Loleatta Holloway ***
Remix of an old
disco tune that keeps its retro flavor.
GIVING UP, GIVING IN- Sheena Easton ***
ANGEL- Lionel Richie ***
Here are two singers
I could not have imagined that I would be listening to awhile back. Sheena
Easton's song has been remixed by Joey Negro, giving it a laid back disco groove
and Lionel Richie's song has also been given the disco sound with its club
remix.
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU- Sonique *
S Serious Mix, Judge
Jules Dub, Sonique Club Mix. The production on these mixes is fine. Personally,
I just think that this is a weak song that these mixes fail to help.
1/6/01
My comments about the above reviews..."Cloud No. 9"..pretty decent song..I'm not a big Bryan Adams fan but this one isn't half bad...Mikaila...loved the song but I grew tired of it pretty quickly...it's a great little tune and I can't believe she is only 14...what's next??? 7 year olds singing about losing their virginity at a house party???....I really liked "Glorious" by Andreas Johnson...a few more listens and it could even chart...Sheena Easton..heard this one a few weeks ago but with the holiday busies have neglected it...great disco feel and her album is supposed to be awesome....Sonique...I love this song and I just watched HOCUS POCUS with Bette Midler and they do a version of the song for the movie...pretty groovy tune and should put Sonique back into the success she saw with "It Feels So Good"..."Livin' For Love" is a great little dance number by Natalie Cole, but with all this publicity about how incredible she is because she had a drug problem and overcame it (whoo whoo good for her..people do it everyday!!), I'm actually sick of her...finally, Aurora featuring Naimee on Duran Duran's #1 hit "Ordinary World" is one of the best of the list...I've heard three mixes and have enjoyed all of them....here are some of my reviews...
Higher Plane- Cyndi Lauper ***
As always, Lauper gets me moving. Originally scheduled to be a single, but later scrapped, this is her first effort on her new record label edel America...I look for a promo of this tune to flourish in clubs across the nation..and world!!
Me - Kina **
Not exactly "Girl from the Gutter," but a decent Hex Hector mix offers a nice follow-up to my current #1. It's more or less another "I won't let you bring me down" song.
Don't You Want Me - Da Buzz ****
With "Let Me Love You" still at the top of my chart, this soon-to-be second Top 50 for the group offers more great pop music to move and shake you. Pop music, again, at its best.
Camera One - Josh Joplin Group ***
Someone said this is "the best REM song they never recorded." I don't know about that, but it isn't too bad a little pop-rock ditty. I've listened to it a few times and have enjoyed it so far.
By Your Side - Sade ****
Typical Sade, but well worth the lengthy wait. She shines on this beautiful ballad. There are some dance mixes that I haven't gotten my little claws on yet, but will keep you updated when I do.
Lovin' You - Kristine W *****
Although this song has already peaked on my chart (#1/7wks), the official single release is January 16. Definitely one of the standouts on the STRONGER album, this song was the first from the album to grab and hold my attention (others charted based on DJ promo mixes prior to the album's release). Could very well be the one to throw Ms. W into the mainstream.
If That Were Me - Mel C ****1/2
Probably her best performance so far from the NORTHERN STAR solo debut. This touching song about the homeless really made me think. Mel C should really break from the Spice Girls and focus more on her solo work as it shows her depth as an artist and singer.
January 12. 2000:
The following reviews were submitted by Ryan of Winslow, ME!!!
Here's a couple new singles making impact this week.
The Call - Backstreet
Boys ****
Its great to have an uptempo single from BSB after 3
slower singles. Song is extremely fun and the chorus will have you singing
outloud. One of the best tracks from the Black and Blue album. Will be a hard
single to ignore in the first quarter of 2001.
Nobody Wants to Be Lonely - Ricky Martin featuring
Christina Aguilera ***1/2
Put 2 of radio's hottest singers together and get 1 of the
best new singles out. Paired together both Ricky and Christina vocals shine in
this best track from SOUND LOADED.
Bouncing Off the Ceiling - The A*Teens ***1/2
Fresh faced group returns with the sophomore album TEEN
SENSATION and makes a sensational start with this fun single. This single is
pure pop confection featuring vocals from all the members this time. Check this
out.
Daft Punk, One more time *** 1/2
Eiffel 65 influence all over this song which is starting
to make radio headway, song has a catchy beat and simple lyrics. Dance your
tuner down this single when you hear and crank it up.
1/12/00
Comments about the above reviews...Backstreet Boys hit a chord with me also on this BLACK AND BLUE album opener...they finally realized that 'N Sync's formula works and they do a really good job of coping it...definitely agree that it's a catchy tune and so far my fave from the new album...Ricky Martin's second effort to radio from SOUND LOADED is definitely much better than the drab "She Bangs"...add Christina Aguilera to the mix and you have yourself one perfect pop collaboration...definitely my pick for the week...The A*Teens never scored that big with me except on "Mamma Mia" and this first release of their own material is a great pop start...it certainly isn't the greatest song I've heard, but it's not too bad...I haven't checked out Daft Punk but if I remember correctly, I haven't really cared for anything else they've done so we'll see...
**THIS PAGE WILL BE EDITED AS I RECEIVE REVIEWS AND AT EACH MONTH'S END, I WILL ARCHIVE REVIEWS AND START FRESH SO KEEP THE MUSIC COMING**
Comments: Email them to me at CraigMusicChart@aol.com