Reviews of compilation albums are very difficult to do. They’re even more difficult to do when you’re reviewing an ongoing series of albums that could all be the same as each other. The bottom line here is that if commercial club music is your thing, then you will love Clubland 4, in as much as you probably would have liked Clubland 1, 2 or 3.
If you’re still with me, I’m guessing that you want to know more. OK.
The Clubland series has become one of the most successful dance music compilation albums of the last couple of years. Whilst the Cream Anthems and Ministry of Sound compilations still sell very well, there has always been a gap in the market for more commercial material that doesn’t pander to the post and pre-Ibiza fashion nonsense. The interesting thing, of course, is that a number of the tracks on this album will also feature on a trendy Cream CD, but because they'll have been mixed by some “top geezer” then they’ll be instantly more credible.
I don’t go in for all this pretentious rubbish. I just like music that sounds good, puts me in the right mood and keeps me uplifted for the rest of the night. If you’re looking for the “right” music, arranged in the “right” way and mixed by the “right” people, this probably isn’t for you.
Still with me? Gosh, you do want to know more don’t you?
The fourth in the Clubland series repeats the tried and tested formula of the previous three volumes. The sound here is commercial pop/dance/trance music. It’s all very radio-friendly, uncomplicated and accessible. For anyone who only has a passing interest in the genre, it’s probably all a bit formulaic, but if you like this kind of thing then you’ll find an album crammed full of all the sorts of anthems (I won’t say choons) that you know and love. The pace is relentless – nothing below 128 bpm here – with a good mixture of vocal and instrumental material. The commercial popularity of the stuff remains at such a level that each volume of the Clubland series now seems to contain more and more chart hits, often before they actually reach the giddy heights of the top ten. The album is arranged across three discs, two of which aren’t mixed (i.e. you get a tiny gap between them) and one of which is a live mix from Flip and Fill (commercial DJs extraordinaire.)
The majority of the tracks here play to a familiar tune. Gorgeous, often haunting vocals arranged over a synthesised background that tends to thunder along at a breakneck pace. You probably know the sort of thing. Few of the names will be familiar – let’s face it, longevity is not normally associated with this genre – but it’s a sound that seems to have taken hold across Europe for some years now. The fashion for tranced up cover versions continues, with some slightly cheesy covers included here for good measure, as well as some up-to-date remixes of club hits from the 90s. There are also some tranced up versions of mainstream pop songs, few of which actually work particularly well in their own right, but as part of this compilation seem to sit quite well.
My only concern with this formula is that there really IS no marked change from one volume to the next, and I can’t help thinking that the general public must be getting a bit bored with it all by now. It’s also worth acknowledging that there a lot more to the club scene than this type of music, so as a reference to Clubland it’s not strictly fair. The second disc loosens up a little towards the end, but this just makes it sound out of sorts with the rest of the album rather than improving the variety of the music. There's precious little house music here, for example.
For more detail, here's s track by track summary of the main album:
Disc one
Flip and Fill featuring Junior – Irish Blue
The male vocal isn’t entirely successful, but otherwise it’s standard Flip and Fill material. Sounds like a cover version of an ABC song to me.
Ian Van Dahl – I Can’t Let You Go
Disappointing commercially, making only a brief appearance in the charts. Sticks to the usual formula – desperate, breathy female laments to a pounding beat.
Scooter vs Marc Acadipane & Dick Rules – Maria (I Like It Loud)
Ick. The usual Scooter shouting nonsense, with a guest vocal from someone who rips off The Mad Stuntman from Reel 2 Real (remember him?).
Big Ang - It’s Over Now
Featured on volume 3 in a better version. This one sounds like it’s been mixed to sound old-fashioned.
CJ Stone – Don’t Look Back
Starts off like a New Order song but then progresses into standard trance fodder.
Kontakt – Show Me A Sign
Getting lots of airplay on Radio 1. Simple, effective and very catchy. Hugely uplifting song. I love it.
Powerful vocals that build and build into a hugely uplifting climax. It’s dramatic and over-the-top - rather like me!
Pascal – This Will Be The Best Days of Our Lives
Very radio-friendly and a good choice after their Tiffany cover version. Drops off a bit towards the end though – would have liked more vocals.
Neo Cortex – Elements
Classic trance material that keeps the mood going. Has a mixture of male and female vocals as well as a very catchy instrumental.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Mixed Up World
In a very mixed up version. I didn’t think I’d like this, but the trance mix works really well, even if the song becomes terrible sad in tone.
Paul Van Dyk – Connected
Started off life as a polyphonic ring tone and now turned into a full-blown trance anthem. It’s classic Van Dyk material, even if that means that it is a bit repetitive.
Jurgen Vries – Wilderness
Also previously included on volume 3, but updated here with a new vocal. This makes it all a bit more commercial, so I can see why they’ve done it.
Solex – Close To The Edge
A great tune. Starts off like a pounding runaway train, complete with relentless vocal and then goes off on one. It’s epic stuff.
Northstarz – What’s Up?
You guessed it – a cover version of the 4 Non Blondes song. It’s cheesy, shameless and utterly addictive.
Nicolette – Harden Up
Ultra-fast, bitch hard house tune with a vocal that I’m sure includes the words, “poo rocket out.” Remember The Candy Girls? It’s them all over again.
Dallas Superstars – Fast Driving
Boring, breathy stuff about someone driving too fast. Yawn.
Dirt Devils – Music Is Life
Crazy, electric music from the Kraftwerk school of inspiration.
Rezonance Q – Sweetheart
More ultra-fast, bitch hard house without the poo rocketing out.
Disc Two
Ultrabeat – Feeling Fine
A weak follow-up to last year’s best seller, Pretty Green Eyes. It’s standard pop/trance material – instantly forgettable.
Probably the strongest song with a male vocal, benefiting from a traditional piano interlude – this one also has an 80s feel to it.
Rachel Stevens – Sweet Dreams My LA Ex
Oh dear. This is a disaster. Not a bad pop tune, but this makes a dreadful trance tune.
Q-Tex – I Remember
Powerful, trance house that starts off quite well, but the shrill vocals start to get on your nerves after a while.
Dream Frequency – Feels So Real
This’ll take a few people back. One of the original purveyors of trance music from the early 90s now back in remixed form. The vocals on this are absolutely gorgeous – it’s just a shame there aren’t more of them!
Styles & Breeze – You’re Shining
Spooky house music that sounds a bit like a horror movie sound track. Good stuff.
Carlotta Chadwick – Be There
Even more ultra-fast, bitch hard house but still no poo rocketing out.
Louise – Pandora’s Box
Definitely more successful than the Rachel Stevens episode but still not a strong track.
Blue Amazon – The Other Love
Unmemorable.
Matt Darey & Marcella Woods
I’ve never seen a picture of Mr Darey, but I’d have his children any day. I love everything he does. This is no exception. Storming tune that you just can’t get out of your head.
Paul Oakenfold – Hypnotised
A bit of traditional old school trance – nothing terribly exciting.
Jonestown – Sweetest Thang
Housey little tune that calms things down a bit – has a repetitive male vocal sample that I should recognise, but don’t.
LMC vs U2 – Take Me to the Clouds
Included here in instrumental version, the vocal release is about to hit number one in the singles chart. It’s a catchy enough little house tune but not worthy of all the current attention.
Sugababes – Hole In the Head
As with any other Full Intention remix, this sounds more at home in a New York night club than it does on a compilation like this. I’m indifferent to it.
If you ever watch The Hits then you’ll have been bombarded with this all summer. It’s all a bit dull really in that the beat never gets anywhere. But it is very addictive- typical Eurobeat.
Elton John – Are You Ready For Love?
This feels completely out of place. A classic song, resurrected by Ibiza DJs, but not relevant to this compilation. If Grandma went clubbing, she’d dance to this.
DJ Casper – Cha Cha Slid
A definite party tune. Repetitive beat, with instructed dance steps from a toneless male vocal. The arrangement is quite funky though.
Disc Three
Not going to do another track by track review here. Many of the songs were featured on volume three and there are quite a few older songs (Haddaway - What Is Love) added in for good measure. It's a storming mix and a welcome addition to the pack. The inclusion of a mixed cd works really well for me because you've then got the best of both worlds.
In total, Clubland 4 features over fifty tracks, between the mixed and unmixed cds. At normal double cd prices, that really is good value and I can see why this series sells so well. It probably is the sort of thing that you'll love or hate, but if you want a good album to stick on whilst you're getting ready, or whilst you're on your way out, I think this will do the business. I've virtually worn mine out.
And the cds.
Recommended
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