MP3: My Enemy - What is love
I'm a big fan of comps with a strong premise or theme. Even when the music doesn't work (ahem, see "Jävla kritiker!" for one), they are still worth hearing or owning just because. Even the weakest tribute comps have their redeeming moments. Dig Your Own Grave's "This is love" comp isn't a typical tribute in which the contributors all honor a single artist. It's simpler than that - they are all joined together to offer homage to a single song, Haddaway's Europop monster-hit "What is love". For some of you, that's all you need to sell you on the record, but if you're like me you're still very tentative. I'm thinking this can't be good, right? There's no way I'm gonna make it through all twelve tracks. But you know what? Not only did I make it through, but I found myself listening for a second time immediately. The strength of the original lies in its simplicity: an easy chord progression, not too many words, a huge anthemic chorus. It's a perfect choice for reworking since it adapts easily to many styles. Most of the acts here are of the bedroom lofi/indietronica variety and while a few start to lose their luster on subsequent listens, there are many standouts. My Enemy's blissed out take on the song is one. They slow it down and stretch it out like a lazy Sunday afternoon. It's like the best Radio Dept. song they never wrote. Another highlight for me is Aktion Atopos's pounding Godflesh-style version. The beats are heavy and distorted and the vocals are pitched-down and monstrous. I couldn't decide on just one to post today, so you get both. Happy May Day or something like that. Go get My Enemy from the regular playlist, AA down below.
Download: Aktion Atopos - What is love
My Enemy - What is love