SLAG PATROL

David Guetta – The World is Mine (F.M.I.F. Radio Edit)

I heard this and first thought it was excellent for a followup (to Love Don’t Let Me Go), but then discovered Guetta actually made it in 2004 and it’s just now getting wide US release. But it’s great. The ‘the world is mine’ vocal sounds like David Gahan from Depeche Mode, but the only vocal credit I could find was to JD Davis, and the main beat (but not vocal) is from an old Simple Minds song. I hope this becomes massive.

Beyonce & Shakira – Beautiful Liar (Freemasons Radio Vox)

Popjustice brought this one to my attention–pre-remix it would be generous to call Beautiful Liar mediocre, but Freemasons have taken another okay Beyonce song and made it brilliant. It was tough to decide whether to post the short radio edit, longer club edit, or full 11 minute club mix, but I think the punchy radio edit gets the message across best.

Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E. – Way I Are

Popjustice also did a great review of the new Timbaland album recently (in which they determined, on a track by track basis, that nothing on the album is as good as Maneater. But what is? They still gave it an 8 out of 10). Way I Are is too short and has a few too many Sexyback-style “Yeah!”s, but it’s still very good.

Madonna – Like A Virgin (live 2006)

This rework of Like A Virgin is both dramatically different from the 1984 original (adding Stuart Price synth chords and beats) and also quite similar–the spirit of the song remains intact. It’s from a concert at Wembly in London last summer.

Apologies to my loyal fans–this whole ‘getting deported’ thing definitely got in the way of my blogging. But 4 tracks today, 4 tracks tomorrow to catch up.

Hilary Duff – Stranger

The lead off track to her new album, Dignity. The whole album is surprisingly listenable, and this song is a standout. It’s one of those ‘has ok/pretty good verses but an AMAZING chorus’ songs. The chorus is extraordinarily slick–swirling, a bit melancholy, and very catchy.

Justin Timberlake – What Goes Around Comes Around (Sebastien Leger Radio Edit)

I know, I know, this is the third time I’m posting a version of this song. But this is the best remix yet–starts out all 8-bit and kicks in with a brilliant bassline. The only thing I don’t like is its abrupt end.

Hilary Duff – With Love (Big Woody Radio Edit)

Another repeat song. Another Duff track. I know. This version of With Love is by a guy named Big Woody, and it’s sexier and sluttier than even the Bimbo Jones remix. I know.

Fall Out Boy – Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

Slag Patrol devotees will know that I’m a sucker for well-used strings, and Fall Out Boy well-uses them liberally on their very good new album. This is the latest single. Love the chorus and the ‘one more night’ at 2:47.

Kylie Minogue – White Diamond (live)

This one really grew on me–the “ahhs” in the chorus really work for it. White Diamond is from another collaboration with the Scissor Sisters (like I Believe in You and the unreleased (?) Loving You); this performance is from the Showgirl tour.

Young Love – Discotech (Chris Cox Club Remix)

Chris Cox used to do the powerful “Thunderpuss” remixes with another guy back in the late 90s and early 00s; he has a trademark sound that is tough to describe but involves a lot of repetitive beats and sweeping synth choruses. This is trademark Chris Cox, and while it takes a little while to build, the payoff is totally worth it.

Melody Club – Fever Fever (Emmon Remix)

James doesn’t like this one as much as the original, but I like this one better. I think the best remixes make you forget in your head how the song originally went, and this Emmon remix definitely does that for me. It loses the original’s carefree attitude and replaces it with something more sinister. I love the way the strings section is played up near the end.

Stefy – Back Tonight

I like this one and really want to like it more, but I feel like it’s missing something. It’s sweet but a little bit boring–it really needs to play up the drama, maybe with some Killers-type swinging synth. Still, it’s a good track, and the band is a Popjustice favorite.

Mika – Grace Kelly (Bimbo Jones Remix Radio Edit)

I was kind of late to the party for this song, and all the sudden it was number 1 in Britain for something like 8 weeks. It’s quite good; as usual Bimbo Jones makes it better, adding a slick bassline, synth punches, and playing up the vocals.

Hilary Duff – With Love (Bimbo Jones Radio Edit)

Oh Hilary Duff, Slag Patrol loves you, even in spite of your horse teeth and lack of mainstream success (though we don’t like you as much as Rachel Stevens, sorry.) Popjustice called this track “the best song of her career,” and while I don’t like it as much as Come Clean, it is pretty good, especially after Bimbo Jones has a go at it.