Studio - Yearbook 2

July 14th, 2008

album art
Artist: Studio
Album: Yearbook 2
Label: Information

The in-store review for this album said it was “dance music for rock dudes.” If one of you can explain that further, I would appreciate it. Does it mean that this album is so good that even people who avoid dance music can dig it? Does it mean that club-goers can’t dance to it but tap their toes and bob their head with energetic enjoyment? Not sure. For me this is a really calm and cool remix compilation, one that presents a pretty good example of the moon disco, slow-jam disco, and italo disco trend right now.

Studio (remixing Rubies) – Room Without a Key

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What is wrong with me? I hear a prominent bass line, and then I’m hooked. I think I’m safe for today, though, because this song has much more to offer and is quite good. The layered vocals are nice (without the Imogen Heap robot effect, thank god), especially with the soft guitar and percussion. This is an end-of-movie song: soft and beautiful, not immediately recognizable or distracting, with that hopeful-sunset quality that should end every good film.

Studio (remixing Kylie) – 2 Hearts

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This is the hit of the album, and most reviews will include a mention of this song’s novelty. But it is fortunately more than just novelty. Fluttering guitars replace the usual fervent beats of a Kylie Minogue song, but it isn’t out of place. As Kylie’s gasping, breathy vocals invoke the beat, the guitars intensify and grow. It is a dance song that is hard to dance to. It is a rock song that is hard to not dance to. It is in between—a little awkward but still pretty good.

For more info, check out the band’s myspace, read a couple reviews (here, here), and buy the album.

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