Raindancer - Sleepless MCD

Sleepless (Radio Edit)
Sleepless (Ganymede Remix)
Sleepless (Munter Remix)
Sleepless (Absorb Projects remix)
Sleepless (Fr/action Remix)
Raindance
Theme

This is the debut official release for the Swedish high-energy synthpop band Raindancer, following their mp3.com cd release in 2000 and later signing to the Ninthwave Records label. It features a new version of the track "Sleepless" that was featured on the "Inner Space" mp3.com cd, as well as 4 remixes of that track, and new versions of two other songs from that release, "Raindancer" and "Theme".

Strangely enough, the remixes seem to lack the high-energy adrenalized pace of the original track. Ganymede have lended their normal deft analogue-heavy synthpop touch to the track, slowing the track to about 125 BPM (that's a rough guess) but keeping the track peppy enough to be dancefloor friendly. The Munter remix slows the track down even more, mutating it into a groovy, laid back lounge-esque tune. It's a very unexpected direction to take a originally energy-packed track in, but surprisingly it works overall. The only mix I didn't care for was the Absorb Projects mix. It, to me, took a few snippets of vocals and samples, and inserted that into the framework of a whole different, original song. It's less a remix and more a total re-tooling of the song, and I didn't care for it at all.

With the Fr/action remix, 1/2 of Ganymede returns to the track, this time lending a more "Futurepop" feel to the track with analogue synthesizers and punchy percussion that dominated Fr/action's debut album. I'm not sure if the two b-side tracks have been re-worked, since I haven't listened to "Inner Space" in quite some time. Still, like the title track, they're high energy, dancable and catchy synthpop tracks, fun to listen and dance to.

Overall, this is a great single. Full of great dance material and really catchy songs to boot, I can't see anybody not enjoying this. Highly recommended!

Added:  Saturday, February 01, 2003
Reviewer:  Jason Baker
Score:
Related web link:  Label's Website
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Language: eng