Apparently Sneaky Sound System are pretty big in the Sydney electro-clash scene. This "Pictures EP" is actually the original "Pictures" single plus four (yup) remixes. First off, the original.
The SSS get kicks things off with a funky, soulful guitar stabs and a thick, chunky bass. It's got all the hallmarks of an electro-dance track: a high tempo, non-descript keyboard blips and nonsensical, slightly erotic female vocals ("keep me on/don't switch me off"). If nothing else, I imagine it'll keep the dancers dancing. It might even get a little foot-tap from those who aren't. It's certainly nothing revolutionary, but its lite-funk-house might keep you going for the three minutes-odd that it hangs in there for.
One down, four more to go. And straight into the first remix we go. This particular one is put through the grinder by Tonite Only. The duo, now disbanded, were well-known in the Australian dance-scene (and so presumably got to know SSS), and actually enjoyed six weeks at the top of the Australian dance charts with this track in 2006. It's not too hard to see why: an easy listen-ability, a song progression guaranteed to keep the ravers interested, and pristine sounding production values. The introduction strips back the funk-lite of the original, layering on the snappy drumbeat and pulsing, modulated melody. And then the heavy, throbbing base is dropped in. Space-age laser noises and whooshing sounds punctuate the thick, gloopy base before stripping it back completely, throwing in a semi-acoustic sounding (although it certainly isn't) guitar. Shimmering synths fizz in and out for a bit of variety. It's all danceable enough, although it doesn't make a nothing more than listenable dance track any more exciting really.
|
By the third remix, however, I'm reminded a bit of Christopher Nosnibor's review of the Yo! Majesty single review (Don't Let Go). Four remixes is a bit much. There is only so much you can do to a song before everyone gets a bit bored. I can't imagine for one minute that a CD like this is meant to be heard all at once. The melody, for the most part, remains the same. Things get stripped away and replaced (or not) with other things. Chris Lake's remix is minimalist compared to the others, plumping for a repeated funk guitar riff and what sounded like (to my ears) a slightly muted bass. I imagine people would dance to it if it came on in a club. Not that that is always a positive thing. Things are slowed down, vocoders are thrown in. The South Central Mix tries dropping an electro, wall-of-sound-esque production, just to see what happens. It feels a bit much though. And the Digital Dog Poolside Dub version is over six minutes. Which means long, endlessly repeated themes and repeated "You'd better not..." from the by now rather tiresome sexy lady (Connie Mitchell, aka Miss Connie).
It's not the worst dance music in the world. And it's the right side of danceable, gleaming disco-tinged house. But five tracks (or, more to the point, one track, five times), all much of a muchness to boot, is just... well, a wee bit too much.
www.myspace.com/sneakysoundsystem
www.sneakysoundsystem.com
|
![Review - Pictures [Remix EP] - SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM - Sneaky Sound System - Whack -](/images/wh_logo.gif){kind=logo}
![SNEAKY SOUND SYSTEM - Pictures [Remix EP]](/images/uploaded/reviews/pictures[r-7-5-2009-1-0-1.jpg)
