Disco de Annie Lennox: “Pavement Cracks [Remix]”

First, a fantastic full length album 'Bare' released June, and now this marvel!!! I think it was a smart idea for J Records to release this single AFTER the full length album...since sales were high on 'Bare', they could easily finance the production of the first maxi-single 'Pavement Cracks'.

I would have never thought that a somber song like 'Pavement Cracks' could be remixed into a dance anthem, and actually sound GOOD!! The remixes are great, and they don't all sound the same, lots of variety with this one!! My personal favorite (the one I've heard MANY times on XM radio, but was not available to the public) is track 3 (Scumfrog Mix)- a very trancy mix, good stuff!! Track 6 is cool, too (Shanghai Surprise Mix). I only wish that there were more photos and artwork, but that's a maxi-single for you, kind of low budget and light packaging...but otherwise, I love it.

Bottom line- a fabulous maxi-single, one that younger Annie fans will love I'm sure. Annie has really outdone herself this year, and I hope this one will sell right off the shelves just like 'Bare' did.

It seems that lately mainstream dance music has become boring and tired. Faints have been tried by the folks over at electroclash and even dance hall, but there is something rotten in the club music scene that is killing it.

This is why this CD single, as an example of what I am guessing more or less mainstream, is so refreshing. The beats are not the same ol same ol and the songs feel more like remixes than simply new beats with snatches of the chorus thrown in.

The song itself is beautiful, but this is one of those rare joys where the remixes actually improve the song, giving it a bouncy upbeat feel that make a nice counter to the downbeat nature of the lyrics. It makes the song that much more poignant.

Check out the first and fourth remixes especially. Do yourself a favor and pick up this little pop jewel.

To these awesome remixes! I took the CD to a club and they played the whole thing... everyone loved it and hopefully went out & bought a copy! Great job Annie! Congrats on the Oscar win, too! ;o)

The album was complete and had no scratches. This was a great value and better than purchasing on iTunes since it is uncompressed audio (AIFF). I will look to amazon again for used CD's in future.

Well why J Records released this single a few months later than its radio release is unknown, but I am glad they did it anyhow. Simply because this CD-maxi single is just the best this year.

The first remix is by the Mac Quayle remix is a trademark remix from the duop who has done much work for Madonna. A commercially-tailor club mix that comes with the usual grooves.

The Goldtrix Club Mix starts to build some excitement for this song by introducing some techo house bits lined with Annie's haunting vocals.

The Scumfrog Club and Dub Mixes continue the tempo with a stomping dancebeat where the vocals take a back seat.

The Gabriel & Dresden Club Mix is my favorite mix of the lot. It begins with a long upbeat intro before breaking into the original song with vocals and finally culminates into a high point of techno, dance and electronica. A riveting 10 minutes of dance anthem.

The final remix is the Shanghai Surprise Vocal mixwhich builds up its groove gradually. Nothing spectacular but a regular club mix.

Well, the last song is the album version which needs no introduction as a haunting and sorrowful tune from the lady herself.

This is a maxi-single not to be missed and the only place where you'll find all the remixes. EXCELLENT!