Synthpop Club Anthems 3

Synthpop Club Anthems 3

Track Listings

1. Oblivion - Nevarakka Mix (Real Life)

2. Space Overdrive - Extended Version (Syrian)

3. Close Your Eyes - Activated Mix (Daybehavior)

4. Every Second - Extended Mix (Neuropa)

5. Abort - DJ RAM Mix (Cosmicity)

6. Another Lovesong - Trance Mix by Massiv In Mensch (T.O.Y.)

7. XRV - Nevarakka Mix (The Dignity of Labour)

8. Stay - Delobbo Mix (Droom)

9. Digital Dream - Analogue at 46hz by Icon of Coil (De/Vision)

10. New Sensation (Neuroactive)

11. Highway to the Sun (Alien#Six13)

12. Staring Off at Nothing - Beatfreq Mix (Intuition)

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
The popular "Synthpop Club Anthems" series continues, with another yearly installment. This CD highlights some of the ultra-club-friendly synthpop anthems from the 2003-2004 releases, including some of the most popular acts in the scene like De/Vision, Cosmicity, Real Life, and T.O.Y.

The "Synthpop Club Anthems" series appeals to some fans of classic synthpop along the lines of New Order, Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, etc. but also intends to show the genre's forward-looking trends, fusing together different electronic dance elements from futurepop to trance. This is synthpop that can appeal to dance club fans in pretty much any scene, blending pounding electronics with catchy melodies and memorable, meaningful lyrics (a key ingredient to modern synthpop).

Synthpop is by no means a stale, stagnant sound that does nothing but re-live the sounds of the 80's, but instead moves forward, always expanding, evolving, and reaching out to new fans. "Synthpop Club Anthems 3" continues to extend that reach. Old fans will love it, and new listeners will pay attention!

Tracks:

Oblivion - Nevarakka Mix (Real Life)
Space Overdrive - Extended Version (Syrian)
Close Your Eyes - Activated Mix (Daybehavior)
Every Second - Extended Mix (Neuropa)
Abort - DJ RAM Mix (Cosmicity)
Another Lovesong - Trance Mix by Massiv In Mensch (T.O.Y.)
XRV - Nevarakka Mix (The Dignity of Labour)
Stay - Delobbo Mix (Droom)
Digital Dream - Analogue at 46hz by Icon of Coil (De/Vision)
New Sensation (Neuroactive)
Highway to the Sun (Alien#Six13)
Staring Off at Nothing - Beatfreq Mix (Intuition)

Album Description

The popular "Synthpop Club Anthems" series continues, with another yearly installment. This CD highlights some of the ultra-club-friendly synthpop anthems from the 2003-2004 releases, including some of the most popular acts in the scene like De/Vision, Cosmicity, Real Life, and T.O.Y.

Customer Reviews:

Better Than Volume 1.......2005-02-20

When Volume 1 of this series was originally released I pick it up. Back then it had a different cover. I'm a child of the 80s so remixes are something I like. I was largely disappointed. I had heard that this volume would be worth picking up (in other words: better than the first one) and they were right.

Where the first volume really was specifically synthpop that might be played at a synthpop or 80s retro flavored club many of the tracks on this volume could be played in any mainstream club and be enjoyed. They are focused on the beats and rhythm: the stuff that makes you want to get up and dance (or go running or whatever you feel like doing whenever you feel that extra energy from the music).

The disc starts off very well with a new track from Real Life (an 80s favorite back with an updated sound for the new millennium) that is just as good as the album track but with more of a club flavor. It's a nice way to start off the CD but my favorite track is track number two. Syrian's "Space Overdrive" is a new favorite. It has a hint of the true synthpop/80s bent but definitely geared up for the club.

The album stays strong from there (other favorites are from T.O.Y and Daybehavior) with the exception of the Alien#Six13 track which sounded a bit flat to me. The final track from Intuition is good but not as good as the original, in my opinion.

Despite a little falter towards the end this album is definitely worth picking up.

Superb Dance Mix Compilation.......2005-01-26

A Different Drum is a great Record Label, which doesn't just sign Acts because they are commercial. They sign great musicians and try to provide it for everyone who wants to listen. One of the things they do regularly release compilations which have different themes, this being the latest (Volume 3) of the Club Anthems. You will love this if you like to boogey at the Club (particularly Trance), or if you like the extended remixes of some of the great bands of the 80's. Or if you just like to bound around your living room while singing along to catchy songs.

1) Real Life - Oblivion (Nevarakka Mix) - Back to the 80's. Real Life were famous for the superb Send Me an Angel. They are still going strong, and here is a remix from their latest CD. The style is definitely 80's but more mature.

2) Syrian - Space Overdrive (Extended) - Great Synths and thumping beats. Vocals have plenty of echo to create a very trancey feel. The chorus is great and will have you singing along waving your hands in the air (or is that just me).

3) Daybehaviour - Close Your Eyes (Activated Mix) - Great female vocals, and progressive synths. Definitely Trance orientated beat, again with a superb chorus. Lots of variety in the synths with a good melody.

4) Neuropa - Every Second (Extended Mix) - this is great. I have bought all of Neuropas CDs based on this song and the free downloads here at Amazon. Neuropa deserve to be big, as their songs are very catchy, and well produced. Great melody and vocals. Check out their album Born, which is my favourite CD of 2004.

5) Cosmicity - Abort (DJ RAM Mix) - Cosmicity are great, but alas no more. The vision of Mark Nicholas, who has reinvented himself and dropped the name Cosmicity. Abort is probably one of my least favourite songs by Cosmicity, but DJ Ram does an excellent dance remix. There is plenty of bass and a variety of great synth sounds throughout.

6) T.O.Y - Another Lovesong (Trance Mix by Massiv in Mensch) - This song is superb. As the remix says it is a Trance mix, but the original song is quite trancey anyway. This song has a very catchy tune and chorus. The vocals and the lyrics, along with the catchy tune are what makes this song stand out. This is my favourite song by T.O.Y, and this is also my favourite mix. A thumping beat with great melodic synths, and soaring vocals singing lines like : The Moon is my Galactic Spy.

7) The Dignity of Labour - XRV (Nevarakka Mix) - Great 80's style vocals (reminiscent of Real Life). Nevarakka again with a great soaring Club remix.

8) Droom - Stay (Delobbo Mix) - Slightly different in that this remix starts off simple and then gradually builds up. This song would not be out of place in any Club. The vocals are great, very different, again with an 80's feel. The remix is great, very up to date.

9) De/Vision - Digital Dream (Analogue at 46hz by Icon of Coil) - Another great remix. Feels slightly different to the original version, because this definitely feels like an Icon of Coil mix. The vocals are very simple but great (De/Vision a great band that have been around for a few years often compared to Depeche Mode).

10) Neuroactive - New Sensation - No remix needed here, as Neuroactive produce very dancey songs anyway. Great thumping beat, with minimal synth effect vocals.

11) AlienSix13 - Highway to the Sun - Again no remix, plenty of BPM. Almost an instumental as just occasional vocals. In the middle and at then end the song breaks down, and this is my favourite part. Piano style synths play out a great melody, and then the beat kicks back in. Plenty of variety in the song.

12) Intuition - Staring Off at Nothing (Beatfreq Mix) - I like Intuition, they have produced some great songs, and I have bought their previous CDs. This song is from their forthcoming CD, but quite dissapointing. Check out the free downloads here at Amazon, and see what you think of their previous material. The remix is very simple. The chorus shows what Intuition are capable of, but unfortunately it is not long enough, and the rest of the song just washes over you. Nice and pleasant, but nothing special.

Conclusion: Another superb collection from a Different Drum. Not just thrown together, but every song has been cherry picked to make up this CD. Buy this, and you are sure to want to by most of the artists individual CDs.

Best Alternative-Electronic Compilation CD from 2004!.......2005-01-25

Whether you are looking for the new sounds of the future or expanding on the sounds of the '80s, Synthpop Club Anthems 3 is an excellent choice. One of my most listened to CDs from 2004 includes some great songs which mix 80s synthpop with newer forms of electronic dance music! Daybehavior's "Close Your Eyes" soon became one of my favourites as it is a great mix of synthpop with trance and very, very sensual female vocals (fans of Kylie Minogue's Fever or Lightyears albums would definitely enjoy this). Neuroactive's "New Sensation" will appeal to fans of Cabaret Voltaire with its edgy-electronic sound. (Can't wait for the new CD N-Gin to be released!) Neuropa's "Every Second" amazes you with a great melody and vocals a la Erasure or the Pet Shop Boys. Italian band Syrian has yet another amazing single with the catchy, fun and oh so addictive "Space Overdrive" - one of the best tracks on the CD. All the other tracks are excellent as well and will appeal to any '80s fanatic into New Order, Visage, Thompson Twins as well as individuals into Hi NRG, trance and techno. Oh! did I mention the excellent single "Oblivion" by Real Life.. famous for their classic song "Send Me An Angel" is include in a great extended remix! Enjoy!

Too good for words.......2005-01-24

With Synthpop heavy hitters such as Real Life, Syrian, and Droom, this is a must have CD - it's that simple. A Different Drum does it again!!

An impressive Synthpop delight.......2005-01-23

I cannot say enough great things about the record label( "A Different Drum" ) that makes these samplers, as well as many of the artists on them, available to the general public.

This isn't your average cookie cutter slapped together compialation. This is a very well crafted collection of rare remix editions of great songs from some of the premier artists of the genre. And when I say this I don't mean a few great songs and a bunch of filler. All the artists featured on this CD definitely deserve to be here.

Although I am fairly literate in the world of synthpop and had at least heard of most of the featured bands on here, I was fairly surprised at the quality of the songs and how great they all are. The title is self explanatory: Dancable, club friendly beats in the classic synthpop tradition of combining catchy beats and well written melodic songs together. Synthpop is more than just dance music; you don't have to be in a club to want to hear it because the songs themself are very catchy and addictive.
The synthpop featured here in my opinion is in the tradition of New Order and Depeche Mode, dark and mysterious.

Definitely worth the money. I've already made the discovery that Neuropa and Syrian are bands that I should not have overlooked, and wont anymore, and also that I really need to purchase some of those Cosmicity items on my wish list. It doesn't matter how much you know or don't know about synthpop, this is a quality collection that will definitely help you discover some great bands, which is what A Different Drum had in mind all along. It has certainly helped me =)

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