Pros: Very entertaining, some outstanding mixes...
Cons: A few dull mixes, a few don't do the original song any justice...
The Bottom Line: It's a compilation, but this album is also cool and refreshing. Fans of 1980s pop/rock/dance/synth are advised to pick up Future Retro.
Eighties compilations are a dime a dozen. The same songs pop up in the same arrangements and released by the same low-rent labels more often than I care to talk about. This isn’t to say that I’m immune to the allure. As a child of the 1980s, I can think of nothing more entertaining at a party then a good old fashioned retro mix. Speaking of good retro mixes, a decent one from Rhino recently landed on my doorstep. Future Retro collects fourteen unique choices remixed, refashioned, and generally rethought by some of the creator Craig DeGraff’s favorite DJs. It’s an interesting concept that delivers nicely and will certainly land Future Retro in the arsenals of club DJs from now on.
In the liner notes, DeGraff speaks about his status as a “child of the eighties.” Much like me, he lived and breathed the era’s pop culture. Star Wars, Knight Rider, and Pac-Man are among his fondest memories. As we all know, Music Television (MTV) dominated the era. Music went from being a listening experience to being something in which personas, looks, and attitude were nearly as important as actual talent. The era also ushered in a whole new kind of “alternative style” of music. Some called it new wave, but in truth was a synthesizer-laced new kind of punk. DeGraff’s concept was, in his own words self-serving. “I wanted to take some of my favorite songs of all time and have my favorite DJs and artists remix them.” Future Retro is in the end a resounding success and is head and shoulders above 99% of all compilation projects.
Glance at the track list and it’s immediately obvious that this is something different. Represented among the artists are The Cure, Echo & the Bunnymen, INXS, Depeche Mode, Erasure, New Order, Devon ad Morrissey. Even Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel are here. Fourteen songs in total are remixed to the delight of eighties fans. The sounds are unexpected though pleasant—this is definitely one album that deserves a slot in your collection.
Future Retro is cohesive and has vision despite the fact that it is without question a bunch of songs tossed together with nothing in common aside from their era, relative popularity, and DeGraff’s admiration. What holds them together instead are the newly fused dance beats making the remixes suitable for any dance floor and any crowd. The opening booming beats of The Walk by The Cure are enough to get me out of my seat and rocking. While the band is certainly not my favorite, they have some classic songs. This particular track was introduced first as part of a single and later on Japanese Whispers. This version, however, it’s more than just a catchy single…it’s a hip and kinetic tune. This Infusion Mix of The Walk makes me (at least momentarily) rethink my relationship with The Cure.
Future Retro definitely progresses fabulously. In fact, with each song I find I’m more drawn to the album. One-hit-wonder single Situation from Yaz and originally on the 1982 album Upstairs at Eric’s is given the treatment on the Richard X Remix. Once again, it gives texture to the song. In fact, it breathes new life into the otherwise repetitive and tired track. The song has certainly gone through its fair share of prior mix treatments, but I can’t help and think this is one of the best. Echo & The Bunnymen also finds a new lease on life with the Way Out West Edit version of Lips of Sugar (culled from the band’s 1987 self-titled release). Regardless of whether you are a fan of these bands or not or whether you are even familiar with the originals these are incredibly catchy songs.
As odd as it seems, one of my favorite bands from this collection given the least interesting treatment. The distinctive classic, Need You Tonight from INXS, is sped up to the point it’s annoying. What I’ve always enjoyed about the song is that despite its mid-tempo arrangement, it had a fire and energy. This factor is completely absent in the Static Revenger Mix Edit. Fortunately, the Tiga Remix of Shake the Disease by Depeche Mode makes up for the misstep above. It’s still haunting and atmospheric, but paired with the drum machines and synthesized instruments Dave Gahan’s voice stands out more than usual. Honestly, I love the way the frontman sounds on this version.
The next song that really doesn’t rub me quite right is A Little Respect from Erasure. That said, I’m certain that fans of the alt-dance band will find more joy in the remixed 1988 song than I. Howard Jones definitely picks things up with the Peter Black & Hardrock Striker Mix Edit of New Song. Even better is the gorgeous mix of Forever Young from German band Alphaville. The original has always gotten to me, but the remixed drama of the synth-pop classic resonates just as brilliantly. Vocalist Marian Gold wields and impressive style. There is no song lovelier than this on Future Retro.
New Order has always been known for their dance floor staples. The songs they have created continue to please audiences. One of the most famous examples is the outstanding Bizarre Love Triangle. Sparking with energy, it is also the song that charted the highest for the British dance-pop outfit in the United States. While I can’t say that The Crystal Method did anything particularly special with their extended mix, I still love the song. I love the words, I love the beats, and I love the Method’s addition of various unexpected elements. Despite my admiration, I still think that this is among the second tier of mixes on this release. Similarly I’m underwhelmed by the treatment given to early rap classic White Lines. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel are almost entirely drowned out by the droning, hollow Elite Force Mix.
Weird and artsy post-punk synth-pop band Devo is definitely given a good amount of respect with the Black Light Odyssey Mix of popular 1980 song Girl U Want. It’s a hip and lively song that fits perfectly into this package. One song that really comes as a surprise is the mix of B-Movie’s club hit Nowhere Girl. As the British trio’s only real success, it definitely proves impressive. It is atmospheric, lovely, and unique. The fact that it was included in this collection shows that despite the band’s status as a one-hit-wonder they still helped to influence a generation of DJs.
As Future Retro wraps up, I’m left a bit high and dry. On one hand, I adore this collection. I love the way it sounds, I love the intent, and I appreciate the mixes. The final two songs, Boy from Book of Love and Suedehead from Morrissey, are both positive moments to end the album on. I love that Boy is rocked up and generally made cool. I also like that Suedehead is at the same time left intact (at least in purpose and emotion) and rounded out by a distinctive remix. I will readily admit that Morrissey is not my favorite artist, but in this case he definitely sounds great.
The best songs on Future Retro are scattered throughout. One might think that because New Order or INXS are best known that they have the best songs here. That’s not the case. The truth is that Yaz, Depeche Mode, Alphaville, The Cure, and B-Movie are my favorites. If the idea of an album completely made up of remixed 1980s songs appeals to you, then Future Retro is well worth checking out. It is perfect for a party or a long drive home—in either case it keeps you awake and tapping your toe and maybe even singing like a giddy 7-year-old at the top of your lungs.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. The Cure – The Walk (Infusion Mix)
02. Yaz – Situation (Richard X Remix)
03. Echo & The Bunnymen – Lips Like Sugar (Way Out West Edit)
04. INXS – Need You Tonight (Static Revenger Mix Edit)
05. Depeche Mode – Shake The Disease (Tiga Remix)
06. Erasure – A Little Respect (Jaded Alliance ‘Electrospect’ Remix)
07. Howard Jones – New Song (Peter Black & Hardrock Striker Mix Edit)
08. Alphaville – Forever Young (Hamel Album Mix)
09. New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle (The Crystal Method Extended Mix)
10. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel – White Lines (Elite Force Mix)
11. Devo – Girl U Want (Black Light Odyssey Mix)
12. B-Movie – Nowhere Girl (Adam Freeland Mix)
13. Book Of Love – Boy (DJ Irene Rockstar Mix)
14. Morrissey – Suedehead (Sparks Remix)
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