Prodigy / Secret Knowledge

God love 'em they've had their ups and downs. Regardless of the naysayers, I reckon this year's "Invaders Must Die" has been a definite return to form. No coincidence perhaps that the rave samples have started to creep back in. Rewind back to 1995 however, and it's a mystery to me why today's remix didn't seem to get a major UK release other than on this compilation.

Sendspace The Prodigy - Speedway (Secret Knowledge Remix)

Seems clear to me Liam Prodigy has been hammering The Breeders' "Last Splash" album consistently since 1993. "World's On Fire", the standout track from The Prodigy's latest album manages a couple of deft sampling tricks, but possibly the neatest is the appropriation of Ms Deal's vocal from "I Just Want To Get Along". I hope Liam gets a Christmas card at least from her in return for all the royalties. I would however urge you to check out The Breeders' Last Splash album, as it has aged very well indeed as I found out to my pleasure on recent listening.

Editors / Cicada

Now this is an unusual one - I did a little research for a change! Turns out that Tom Smith, lead singer of Editors, guests on Cicada's new album "Roulette" which came out earlier this year (and you can buy here via iTunes). I actually bought Cicada's debut album on the strength of the two Editors remixes and a Depeche Mode remix they produced, but was bitterly disappointed with the second rate album I received. My opinion is reserved on their difficult second album at the moment but from the promotional videos kicking around, it looks like they are now travelling down the euro-pop in a cool kind of Annie / Royksopp / Robyn kind of way.

Sendspace Editors - All Sparks (Cicada Remix)

Editors have long been accused of ripping of Joy Division - somewhat cruelly it's been suggested that they're now turning into New Order on the evidence of their new single. Personally I reckon they always had a hint of Ultravox (listen to Editor's "Blood" and then listen to Ultravox's "The Voice" if you don't believe me). Not a bad thing at all I reckon, but judge for yourself. The award for daftest video of this year so far goes to Editor's for Papillon ...