Version - Mark Ronson > Reviews > Some Great New Versions

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Some great tracks, fairly
Disadvantages:	Track 8, Pretty Poor

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Mark Ronson is a British born, US based DJ and producer. He has been DJing since the early ninites, and released his first album in 2003 (Here Comes the Fuzz). This album suffered badly due to the collapse of the label it was released on and failed to make much impression. As well as releasing Version, Mark has also been producing tracks for Lilly Allen, Christina Aguliera, Amy Winehouse and Robbie Williams, he is also the face of DKNY. Busy man!

About Version

Version was released in April 2007 and has just earned Mark the Best British Male Brit award. The album is based on reworkings of exisitng songs. It came about following the club success of the reworking of Radiohead's "Just." In his own words: "..I've taken these songs that I love and turned them into Motown/Stax 70's versions... I'm just trying to find something in it, add something to the arrangement or change a groove." There are many collaborations throughout the album, often with established vocalists. There are 14 tracks on the album.

Track Listings and Reviews

1 God Put A Smile Upon Your Face feat. The Daptone Horns
Originally by Coldplay. I think this is my favourite track on the album. It really grabs you and draws you into the album. It is much more upbeat than the original, though intstantly recognisable.

2 Oh My God feat. Lily Allen
Originally by The Kaiser Chiefs. One of the tracks that stands best alone on the album. It was extremely succsesful as a single and I think Lily Allen's vocals are strong enough to give a new twist to this song.

3 Stop Me feat. Daniel Merriweather
Originally by The Smiths/ The Supremes. This is based on Stop Me If you Think You've Heard This one Before by The Smiths and You Just Keep Me Hanging On by The Supremes. It is very catchy and gets into your head but I think that Daniel Merriweather's lyrics are a little weak. For me, he has a good voice but he doesn't really convey any emotion.

4 Toxic feat Tiggers and ODB
Origianally by Britney Spears. Unsuprisingly, ODB drifts quite a long way from the original version! This is one of the tracks which I had most trouble placing to start with, (where is that riff from?!) But it is definately a grower, and if you listen to it a few times you will notice things you missed first time through. (not all family friendly!)

5 Valerie feat. Amy Winehouse
Originally by The Zutons. This is brilliant. I am not really an Amy Winehouse fan, but again her vocals are so strong they really add to this song. It turns it into a real mowtown number. For me the appeal of this album is giving exisitng songs a different album, and this song really does that.

6 Apply Some Pressure feat. Paul Smith
Originally by MAximo Park. I really liked the original of this song and that usually means that covers or re-working produce a very strong view one way or another! I like this, close enough to the original to be recognisable but upbeat and funky.

7 Inversion
The "version" tracks are instrumentals by Mark Ronson, all with a lot of horn music! They are short, upbeat but although they are enjoyable they do feeel a little like space fillers.

8 Pretty Green feat Santo Gold
Originally by The Jam. Probably the weakest link for me. I don't know anything about Santo Gold, so I can not comment on their usual style, but for me this song really grates my nerves! The vocal is just too annoying! For me, not an improvement on the original and does not add anything of value to it.

9 Just feat Phantom Planet
Originally by Radiohead. The song that started it all off. I am not a big fan of radiohead, just too depressing! This song is great, really catchy and the vocals are strong.

10 Amy feat. Kenna
Originally by Ryan Adams. I was not familiar with the original and find this song a little bit of a filler on this album. It is ok but is a definate "B-Side"

11. The Only One I know feat Robbie Williams
Originally by The Charlatans. I don't dislike Robbie Williams' take on this, but personally think that this song just emphasises the quality of the original.

12 Diversion: See Invrsion

13 LSF feat. Kasabian
A reworked Kasabian Track. I like this. I enjoyed the orignial too but just feel this adds a little more. The vocals do feel a little lost under all of the music though.

14 Outversion: See Inversion

Overall

This album is quite a grower, I like it and have carried on listening to it (whereas some others I just get bored of quickly.) The album artwork and cover inlay do not add anything much to the CD though. All in all I would say it is good value for money and a pretty good album. I enjoy new reworking of exisiting tracks and feel that the ones on this album add something new to the songs. If you enjoy things like the Live Lounge Albums then I think you will enjoy this.