After being pleasantly surprised with last years edition, I literally had to get this one. So I sat down over the week to listen a long pile of apparently future club hits, as well as the top tracks that dominated this year's world of dance music. Well, let's take a look then shall we?
Disc 1. Oh boy was I anticipated!
01. Tim Berg - Seek Bromance (Avicii's Vocal Extended)
A bit gutted this didn't rank better in the charts. Still a flawless song nevertheless. / A+
02. Eric Prydz - Niton (Instrumental)
Let's be honest. If you compare the last two years of track two, disc one's selection of tracks, you'd figure that Prydz would end up getting better and better. However, this track ran a bit short for me (which is no biggie, but it's Pryda we're talking about here, you'd have to expect better things from him!) He's still a god in my eyes so I'm not gutted. / A
03. Alex Gaudino - I'm In Love (I Wanna Do It)
The pitch is a bit weird on this album. I tried to figure if Maxine's on key or not. I was just a bit rambled by the whole thing. Other than that, easily one of my top favorite dance tunes of this year. / A+
04. Example - Kickstarts
Song's a bit getting away over my head after experiencing a mouthful of eargasm of it over the year. / B
05. Dizzee Rascal - Dirtee Disco
The weakest single I've heard from Rascal himself. Great for parties however, this track. / B
06. Tensnake - Coma Cat
Coma Cat hasn't really offered my attention over the summer. But after hearing it over and over through this album made me realize what I have missed out on. Incredible. / A+
07. Sidney Samson Feat. Wizard Sleeve - Riverside (Lets Go!) (Warren Clarke Remix)
Refreshing remix. Love every bit of it. / A
08.Tiesto Vs Diplo - C'Mon
Heard it countless times over the summer. Not sure if I'm so keen on it anymore. Still an ultimate tune. / B
09. Roger Sanchez - 2Gether (Antoine Clamaran Remix)
Finally some new music! Clever sampling from the Love Shack itself. Decent. / B+
10. Wiley Feat. Jodie Connor & J2K - Electric Boogaloo (Find A Way)
Back to the usual MOS overused material music. Still fancy this song anywho. / A
11. PJ Feat. Velvet - Stereo Love
Loved this cover over the summer. Now, I'm not so sure if it's suitable for this Annual. Way to many re-used tracks so far, which I'm finding quite disappointing. / B-
12. TV Rock Feat. Rudy - In The Air (Axwell Remix)
This must be the 2010 version of 'Get Down Again' isn't it? Just.. Find me in a couple years this song, PLEASE. / C
13. Fake Blood - I Think I Like It
Heard it since the Aussie version of the 2010 Annual. Overhyped. / C
14. Ian Carey Feat. Mandy Ventrice - Let Loose (Brad Holland Remix)
Back to the new new. Shocked to say that this is nothing less but a filler. / B-
15. Seamus Haji & Romain Curtis Feat. Awa - Just A Friend
Some powering, vocal house here! Sounds like delicious Hed Kandi made an excellent choice handing this over to the Annual. / A
16. Kris Menace Feat. Emil - Walking On The Moon (Respect To U-Tern Extended Mix)
Could listen to this over The Dream's version any day. Tear that funky house down! / A+
17. Burns & Fred Falke - Y.S.L.M. (You Stopped Loving Me)
I absolutely adore this song. I'm a complete sucker for repetitive, sampling funky house. And if you haven't seen the music video of it yet, I'd suggest you would because you will love the song even more! / A+
18. Armand Van Helden & A-TRAK Pres Duck Sauce - aNYway (DJ Sneak Remix)
Filler much? Nothing special. / B-
19. Marco Calliari - We No Speak Americano (Montreal House Mafia Remix)
An extremely gooey version of the ever so popular hit. / B-
20. Yolanda Be Cool - Afronuts (DCUP Remix)
An absolute anthem! Appropriate for all the masses. / A+
So to basically sum up, Disc One was generally a blast from the past of the most popular club hits of 2010, including some new and exclusive remixed funky house tunes, which generally was great for me because that slips right through my element of house music.
Now over to the dark side of Disc Two...
01. Swedish House Mafia - One
Above average at its best. I wasn't much hyped when this came out either. / B-
02. Afrojack Feat. Eva Simons - Take Over Control
Best track on this CD by far. That heavy electro beat in the chorus is unreal. / A+
03. Steve Angello - KNAS
Um... All I heard was just farts.. and farts.. and then some.. and scene. / C-
04. David Guetta - GRRR
First heard this over the Clubber's Guide album. A bit weak after hearing it for awhile. / C
05. Underworld - Always Loved A Film (Michael Woods Remix)
Nice cruisin' song. A heavy bassline is my kind of silence. / B+
06. Example - Two Lives (Wez Clarke Remix)
Pretty slick, nifty mix. / A-
07. Felix The Housecat - Three Anthem (Eric Prydz Remix)
Has its bits that shouts, 'Anthem' (durr). Reminds me a bit of Arno's 'Magneta'. Alright. / B
08. Nalin & Kane - Beachball (Chris Lake Remix)
When will MOS ever get rid of this song! Not saying it ever should, but why reviving it over and over? Blah, good mix I guess. / B-
09. Tim Berg, Norman Doray, Sebastien Drums - Tweet It
Disappointing. It had its moments being a top track, but it just ends up being a safe track. / C-
10. Ricky L Feat. M:ck - Born Again (Balearic Soul Party Mix)
Pretty good. Love the eastern Europe atmosphere of this song. The part where they censor that certain word just makes the track a bit sloppy to be honest. / B-
11. Stretch & Vern - I'm Alive 2010 (Stretch & Vern Remix)
Weird remix. / C-
12. Burn The Negative - Smash & Grab (Keith & Supabeatz Remix)
Quirky tune. Pretty upbeat and slick. Then it just drags off becoming awfully repetitive. / B-
13. Drop The Lime - Hot As Hell.
Pass. *Gross* / F
14. Michael Woods - Dynamik
Michael Woods knows how to work it! *Snap snap* / A
15. Congorock Feat. Mr Lexx - Babylon
Wow, this tune is out of this world! Mind-boggling this tune. / A+
16. BT Feat. Jes - Every Other Way (Armin Van Buuren Remix)
Now heading over to the trance district. This song is bliss, but a tad boring for my taste. Jes is an amazing singer by the way. / B
17. Paul Oakenfold Feat. Matt Goss - Firefly (Robert Vadney Remix)
J'adore. Goss literally tops this track. / B+
18. Armin Van Buuren Feat. Adam Young - Youtopia
A bit too mainstream for such a contemporary trance track? Hmmm. / B-
19. Above & Beyond & Gareth Emery Pres OceanLab - On A Good Day (Metropolis)
Not as great as the Above and Beyond remix. / B-
20. DJ's United - Remember Love
A charity single for the devastating and saddening event, the Loveparade festival. Really touching and uplifting. / A
Disc two overall is a bit too underground for my taste. Avid listeners who are heavy in the clubs will love this disc for sure.
Now Disc Three's gonna be a handful...
01. Katy B - Katy On A Mission
Besides 'I Need Air', this was the main reason why I've been wanting to experience some more dubstep. Brill. / A+
02. Gyptian - Hold You (Major Lazer Remix Extended)
This song will be a classic, mark my words. / A+
03. Vato Gonzales - Badman Riddim (Friction Mix)
Very repetitive. / C
04. Wretch 32 - Traktor (Brookes Brothers Remix)
Too heavy and nasty. The break with that jazz bit was cool. Then again, it gets downright nasty.. Again / C-
05. DJ Fresh - Gold Dust (Vocal VIP Mix)
Dynamite's vocals makes this track more enjoyable to listen to. / A
06. Danny Byrd Feat. I-Kay - Ill Behaviour
Beh. Not a fan of that heavy Drum'N'Bass stuff. / B-
07. Example - Last Ones Standing (TC Remix)
Not a fan of this remix. The annual should have provided the 'Benny Benassi' remix over CD1 or something. / C
08. Unicorn Kid - Wild Life (Nu:Tone Remix)
Pretty nostalgic. Excellent. / A
09. Steve Aoki - I'm In The House Feat.zuper blahq (Herve's Burning Down The House Remix)
Too grimey. Eck. / D
10. Youngman - Ho
Bleck. / C-
11. Redlight Feat. Ms Dynamite - What You Talking About!?
This song is frustratingly weird and awkward... / C
12. Mz Bratt - Selecta
(Read Above) Although, that 'Selecta' part is a bit catchy. / C+
13. Skream Feat. Freckles - How Real
Fascinating, imaginably brilliant. Feels like I'm in a journey to some parallel universe. / A
14. Little Jinder - Youth Blood (12th Planet & Flinch Remix)
What.. The... Heck. Aside from the vocals, the heavy scratch beats are impeccable. / B+
15. Foamo - Here Comes
Jungle fever much? Outstanding! / A
16. Fugative - Bad Girl (Tek-One Remix)
That euphoric sound right in the beginning was something special. Then it breaks down to a whole lot of grime and filth. Still melodic in some standard. / B
17. Jacob Plant - Jump Up
Filler no thriller. / C
18. Drumsound & Bassline Smith - R U Ready
Headache. / D
19. Freestylers Feat. Pendulum & SirReal - Painkiller (Kouncilhouse Remix)
Nothing. / C
20. WTF?! & Dead Prez - It's Bigger Than Hip Hop UK (Full Vocal Mix)
One word. Anthem. / A
Third disc was just a mess. Probably won't listen to 2/3rds of this track after reviewing them. Bleck.
So there you have it, the Annual 2011. Not as strong and outstanding as last year's but (sort of) enjoyable to listen to a couple of times. If you consider buying this for someone as a present, you may as well think about what sorts of music they draw on to. In this sort of case, if someone actually bought me this album, I (sort of) would be pleased, but then again. I think I probably would just leave it somewhere in my drawers and let one of my pals "borrow" the album after getting sick of it. The main problem with this album is that it has a a whole span of different genres, which might suit well if you literally LOVE every genre in the dance/electronic department. Though, if you're like me, who solely loves a couple (and not every) single genre, you may be disappointed with this album. For this reason, The Annual UK this year deserves a...
B-
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