Search - Electronic :: Disappointed / Gangster (REMIXES) - 4 track EP

Complete your collection of early Electronic classics

J. Derek Reardon | KC, MO, USA | 07/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Electronic, when it first came out, was an interesting conglomeration. Artists from the Pet Shop Boys, New Order and The Smiths joined forces to put together a release that sounded like a combination or some permutation thereof of the three bands represented. The single "Disappointed," which was a remix of a single that appeared on the Cool World soundtrack and not on Electronic's debut release, provides us with mixes that shows signs of at least two of those bands. You get 4 tracks on this CD - 3 mixes of "Disappointed" and a bonus mix of "Gangster" off of Electonic's debut. The single "Disappointed" is very much a Pet Shop Boys sounding piece, especially with Neil Tennant singing. The Single Mix sounds every bit of a PSB single, and it could have been at home on the Behavior release. The Electronic Mix is next and is a bit more New Order sounding with more guitars than keyboards and synths. However, Neil's voice is so predominant, you can't get the PSB out of your head. As a bonus, the next song is the FBI Mix of "Gangster." This 8 minute version starts off with a long and impressive New Order sounding orchestral section; it sounds like it would be at home on Substance or Technique. When the lyrics get started, we are treated to Bernard Sumner singing very cool and standard lyrics for him. However, similar as with the case of "Disappointed," it's easy to think of this song as more of a New Order song and not as an Electronic song. The last song on the release is the 808 Mix of "Disappointed." When they first hit the music scene, I idolized 808 State. However, their sound kind of got repetitive and became "dull soulless dancing" music to me. Their mix isn't bad - a strong techno house beat and minor harmonics running underneath Neil's voice. It definitely sounds like 808 State and is club friendly; I just much prefer the first two mixes. I give this single 4 stars. Normally, I am rather disappointed with remix singles not living up to the original. But you get two definite solid versions of "Disappointed" as well as an awesome remix version of "Gangster" that are enjoyable whether simply listening, singing along, or dancing along to the beat. An added bonus for me is the fact that this is kind of a rare gem for Electronic fans since the single was not on the album and only on the Cool World soundtrack. I won't ever be parting with this one. As a recommendation, I would say fans of New Order and the Pet Shop Boys will definitely want this single. While it is by Electronic, it really sounds more like you got a few New Order and PSB songs instead. That isn't to belittle the group's integrity - it's just with this debut, Electronic had yet to define what their sound really was. Of course, fans of the band Electronic, especially in its infancy, should have this single to complete their collection. I'm definitely not disappointed to have this release, and neither will you if you are an Electonic, PSB or New Order fan. This is definitely one for the collection and to play on the dancefloor."

A Classic

D. Pfeiffer | Georgia, USA | 11/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Electronic Mix is one of my favorite all time songs. It is 'desert island' music. To me, this track exudes the kind of cosmopolitan sophisticated sound that the Pet Shop Boys are so famous for. The vocals are all Neil Tenant up front with Sumner of the synth and Marr on the guitar. And man, what a syth string sound it is! This is one of the most lush syth tracks I've heard. You can just feel the cold air and the rush of the big city on this track. It's music like this that inspired me to leave for the big town. Tenants dead pan vocals and soprano wail during the sweeping parts are pure a pure classic. This is a must add to your euro-pop dance collection! A must for all New Order, PSB fans."

Neil and Barny, and Mar

D. Pfeiffer | 07/16/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a song from the movie Cool World. It features Neil Tennant (of Pet Shop Boys) singing. The music is brassy synthy dance music a la 1990. There is also a more grinding 808 state remix included. The string pads on this song are the best. It's classic Electronic stuff, but no Bernard Sumner on vocals...just Neil."