Now for something at least almost completely different: a very non-subtle electro house rework of Siouxsie and the Banshees’ “Cities in Dust” by Junkie XL. Note that the Junkie XL version never actually credits that the vocals are Siouxsie’s but I think it’s pretty clear.

Two samples here: first, the main riff of the song; second, the trancey-ish breakdown.

Trance-iness: Fairly low, except for breakdown
Vocals: Yes, distinctive female
Progressiveness: Yeah, fairly
Dance-iness/Intensity: High
Cheesiness: Pretty low
Lyza-ness: Medium low

Junkie XL - Cities in Dust (Original Mix) (MP3 Sample)

Junkie XL - Cities in Dust (Original Mix) (MP3 Sample — Trance-ier bit)

Go get it on BeatPort.

Tags: dance, electro, house

Wow. I knew the new Armin Van Buuren track reminded me of something, but it took me a while to iron it all out.

I happen to think that “Going Wrong” sounds rather eerily similar to York’s 2000 or 2001 track “Reachers of Civilisation”, which was the very first track on the very first of DJ Tiësto’s “In Search of Sunrise” compilations.

And the subtle guitar riff in Going Wrong? Circa 1999, Fragma’s “Toca Me,” anyone? I’m going to use the same breath to mention that there is a new mix–the “2008 Inpetto Mix”, which I’m not sure is any different than the Deadmau5 recent remix, but I have spent enough time researching thus far and so am not going to figure that out right this second.

Armin van Buuren vs. Shah feat. Chris Jones — Going Wrong (MP3 Sample)

York - Reachers of Civilization (MP3 sample)

Fragma — Toca Me (Inpetto 2008 Mix) (MP3 Sample)

UPDATED: UGH. All of the new mixes of Toca Me/Toca’s Miracle on Beatport are territorially restricted. That is, you cannot have them if you live in the states. Blast!

Tags: dance, trance

I am following up my last post with a quick follow-on to dispel the cheesy smell that I emitted with the AVB track.

Hanson & Parker — Aim High, Shoot Low (Label: Maelstrom)

Cheesiness: Pretty Low
Progressiveness: Medium High
Intensity/Danceiness: Very Low
Tranciness: Low
Lyzaness: Medium (High if you consider male vocals)

This is an icy, ethereal tripper with progressive roots, an airy, mysterious intermittent male vocal. Quiet, but not chilled, exactly.

Hanson & Parker — Aim High, Shoot Low (MP3)

Tags: dance, progressive

I’m a bit hesitant to open my new featured track posts–now with samples!–with this track, because it’s got the cheese meter pegged. But I find that every time I hear it played in a mix (and it’s getting a lot of airplay, at least in Europe, where people actually listen to dance music), I end up turning it up.

Armin van Buuren vs. Shah feat. Chris Jones — Going Wrong (Club Mix)
Tranceiness: Medium (High in some parts of the song)
Cheesiness: High
Progressiveness: Medium
Danciness/Intensity: Medium
Lyza-ness: Medium

This track is almost a crossover pop tune, with a slightly embarrassing teen-angst-TV-drama-show-opening-credits acoustic guitar riff and meaningless bubble-gummy lyrics, but I can’t seem to help the fact that I like it despite my best intentions.

I don’t think it’s released yet, but I would recommend BeatPort when it is.

Armin van Buuren vs. Shah Feat. Chris Jones — Going Wrong (Club Mix) (MP3)

Tags: dance, trance

I have been thinking about it for some time and I’ve decided I’m comfortable with declaring that my favorite electronica/dance/trance song ever (and I really, really mean this) is:

Hybrid - Unfinished Symphony

To wit, I played the Soundtrack Mix (just strings–the Russian Federal Orchestra) as the procession music at my wedding, which is a pretty strong endorsement. I think my favorite mix is Sasha and Digweed’s from the phenomenal album Northern Exposure 2 — East Coast Edition (I know that’s a mouthful); more about that album later because it kind of defined my life.

I dunno, what do you think? I hope I don’t realize I’ve made a mistake here. It’s a bold pronouncement for me.

Tags: dance, electronica, Music, trance