SLAG PATROL

Sigh. Apologies for the lack of updates. April was not a great month for Slag Patrol: Deported Edition, but there were a couple hot tracks out.

Fall Out Boy – This Ain’t A Scene, It’s an Arms Race (Jason Nevins Rock Dance Remix)

Still loving Infinity on High. This Jason Nevins treatment is so good even the emo kids will dance to it. It’s sped up a bit and has a bouncy backbeat. Can’t decide whether I prefer the well-paced longer version (above) or the straight-to-the-point short edit. Both are great.

ATB feat. Heather Nova – Renegade (Airplay Mix)

Full disclosure: I’ve thought fondly of Heather Nova ever since her song Heart and Shoulder was used to ridiculous melodramatic effect on a teen drama in the late 90s (it was probably Felicity, but might have been Dawson’s Creek. Cringe.) In any case, ATB hasn’t really been good since then either, so Renegade is a step in the right direction. But this ‘Airplay Mix’ is too soft–it’s like the ‘approved by mom’ mix. It’s not bad but it lacks passion. The other remixes I’ve heard have good bits but the payoff isn’t worth it for the boring repetitive parts. Hopefully we’ll see some other remixes.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Me and My Imagination (Tony Lamezma Remix)

Meant to post Catch You but never got around to it; this is the latest single. Tony Lamezma is a Slag Patrol favorite, and this mix doesn’t disappoint. It swooshes, builds and crashes as you’d expect. I like the “Never give…” beat bounce.

The Sounds – Tony the Beat (Rex the Dog Radio Version)

Saw The Sounds open for Panic! at the Disco last fall–they’re hot. And Rex the Dog did one of my favorite mash-ups ever in Kelly Clarkson vs. Depeche Mode – Since You Been Gahan. The synth is strong with this one, but it really works.

David Guetta – The World Is Mine (Paul Oakenfold’s Downtempo Mix)

Remember The World Is Mine from last month? Paul Oakenfold’s mix is indeed downtempo, and is a nice alternative take on the song.

Universal Poplab – Fire

Love these guys. Haven’t heard their latest album yet (it was out last fall), but this is the latest single. Very good electropop, with nice synth and a catchy chorus.

Universal Poplab – Heart Apart (Timo Raisanen Acoustic Remix)
Shiny Toy Guns – Rainy Monday

Universal Poplab do really good electropop. But this “acoustic” remix of Heart Apart improves on the original by replacing the synth with a low key guitar that just fits perfectly. It’s so catchy that Alex was singing along to it in the car on her first listen. And Alex only sings along to the good stuff. I heard about Shiny Toy Guns recently from the Popjustice Chart of Truth. In contrast to the title, Rainy Monday almost shimmers, in a good way.