I’m at the point where I can almost say the Erasure “Total Pop! Remixed” is going to be a huge crapshoot.  My biggest concern was they were going to take their classic songs and reduce them to shells of their former greatness…  and so far they have.

First, here is the “Always 2009 Mix” video.

I renew my complaint that they really didn’t make the song any better off. Just changing a few sounds and replacing some of the percussion doesn’t make it “new”. There is no major difference between this version and the original from my point of view. Not only that, they simply took the original video and replaced the sound track with the new mix… what is the point?

Another disappointing bit is the “Drama (Andy Bell and JC Mix)“, while not bad per se… it takes away from the original. I had high hopes for this after Andy remixed Goldfrapp’s “Ooh la la“, but that didn’t care over to his own work.

I know Erasure is very supportive of their fans, and I appreciate all efforts they make on our behalf, but I really fear for this project.

So, what better way to put myself in a better music mood than finding a classic remix – one that I haven’t heard in about 10 years. As I was watching Big Love, the closing song on one episode was Annie Lennox’s “Little Bird” remixed by the Utah Saints. Aside from being shocked to hear this version, as it was not widely available, I was shocked at just how good it was…. I forgot after all these years.

There is no video, this is only the song… but it’s good none the less. Here you go, enjoy.

Well, I think my fear has come to fruition with Erasure’s 2009 mix of “Always”.  Take a listen…

Erasure – Always (2009 Mix)

If you don’t remember the original, here is the video…

When EIS announced that Erasure would be releasing “Pop Remixed” in early 09 I was worried that the new versions would bastardize the originals.  Well, no, more like there would be 2 good mixes and 9 crap versions on the album.

The sample of the 2009 Mix really don’t sound all that different, it doesn’t add or take away from the song in an major fashion… from the short sample it appears that they changed some of the “backing sounds” and substituted some of the percussion choices, but that is really it.

It all makes me ask “why?”

The BPA / Brighton Port Authority (a.k.a Fatboy Slim) is running a remix contest of his first single “Toe Jam Featuring David Byrne”.  The contest winner will get a pair of Technics RP-DH1200 Headphones, Fatboy Slim’s catalog on vinyl and the chance to have your remix released as a digital EP.

Individual tracks for “Toe Jam” are available free for download on the contest site.  The tracks can be rearranged and reused in any way to form a remix of the song and then Norman Cook; Mr. Fatboy Slim, will choose the winners himself!

Check it out here on the contest site, and make sure you check out two of the concert sponsors – BIGSTEREO and Discobelle.

Just a reminder, the completed remixes must be received on or by January 1, 2009 and remember to check out the contest rules.

I’m not really a fan of Pop music, let alone the stuff Kyle Minogue put out.  It’s not that I’m knocking it… it’s just not me.  The Chemical Brothers, on the other hand, I get… and I like. 

Well, The Chemical Brothers did a remix of Minogue’s track “Slow” and I still don’t see it.  It’s like throwing Jessica Simpson in the studio with Nine Inch Nails and saying, “do a remix of her”.

I understand the need for an artist to expand their horizons, do different things, but this just seems like such an odd match to me. ”  It just doesn’t seem to fit.

Does anyone know if there is a strong personal connection between these two?