Search - Felix Da Housecat, Le Tigre, Chicks on Speed :: City Rockers Present Futurism 2

New face of electroclash: great / grating

Richard Diaz | 01/30/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"At the forefront of 2002's electroclash brigade none made as much noise as red-hot, Ministry of Sound-backed label City Rockers, who grabbed choice albums from artists Felix da Housecat and FC Kahuna for release, while cranking out a slew of club hits in the process. With MoS pulling their funding near year's end (amidst these dance depression times) Futurism 2 may stand as the label's final parting shot. Volume two leaves behind the glamorama sheen of the first for a greater variety of punkelectro, techno, and electronica, a decision seemingly made to distance themselves from other disposable pop cash-ins flooding the market. However, the emphasis on beefy industrial new nu-wave, with Parallax Corporation "Fear" and Midnight Mike's mix of "Fly With Me" won't earn any fans, nor will the proto-80's simplistic beats or annoying acapelllas, notably Wink's "Freak" and K Alexi's "Take `Em All" that muck up great tracks underneath. Thankfully disc two packs some hits; David Diamond's weird-beat disco flash "Champu," the touted Ewan Pearson rub of "Perspex Sex" roping the song into the seedy, charged up territory where it belongs, and Adult's startling take on "Silver Screen," a furious rush that overtakes Felix's original. Throw in nods with Slam, Dot Allison, Arthur Agent, Xlover and Le Tigre, and you'll finally see the direction tomorrow's electroclash may take to capture credibility and energy. Unfortunately, you'll have to do some DJing to mix the eight or nine breakout blockbusters from this 29-track offering."

Not bad for part 2

John J. Tabellione | Arlington, VA United States | 06/14/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I actually prefer vol. 2 over vol. 1 namely because the first release had so many of the "electroclash" hits. i like the fact that this is more obscure. reminds me of the variety of music you hear on DJ Hell's International Deejay Gigolos compilations.If you really want to freak out your dancefloor, or you prefer to be challenged with more off-beat (but still danceable) tunes, disc 1 holds two robo-techno tracks: "Cyclops Dance (Pepe Deluxe Mix)" and "Hold Your Head Up (Soulwax Mix)" Also "The Creeps" by Freak blends techno with 80s new wave pop sensibilities. It's a fun song, and would probably do well on MTV or American radio, if these media outlets weren't so close-minded to new music.I definitely recommend this, especially if you're tired of seeing the same tracks on every electroclash compilation out there and want to hear something newer."