Review - Hot Chip - Hold On/Touch Too Much Remixes

Hot Chip - Hold On/Touch Too Much Remixes

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6 out of 10

Earlier this year Hot Chip's third album "Made in the Dark" firmly cemented itself on my list of albums of 2008, and so reviewing these remixes is certainly something I was eagerly looking forward to.

The truth be told, I'm a little disappointed by them. In my book, Hot Chip are about an eclectic mix of expertly constructed tunes and having a good time on the dance floor, and I can't help but feel that these remixes take the attention away from this slightly. Of the two Switch remixes of 'Hold On', the LDN remix is by far the better of the two, with a much funkier edge, and the Mock n'Toof remix of the same track is spacey with just enough disco-filled beats that aren't dissimilar to the kind of composition you'd hear on Groove Armada's 'Vertigo'. Whilst they all add their own unique style to an already brilliant track, all I really want to do is go back and listen to that original track that I came to love 6 months ago.

Where this EP comes into its own is with the last two remixes of Touch Too Much. The Ewan Pearson remix is simply outstanding. Electro elegance is infused into this track with nigh-on perfection, and compliments the combined elements of this track so brilliantly that I'd be very surprised if this didn't become a regular with every respected DJ in the country.

The Kollektiv Turmstrasse remix however, leaves very little of the original track in tact, and they manage to fill it out with their own very unique sound which, whilst an good track in itself, it manages to somewhat ignore the melancholia that was infused within this particular number and again, I can't help but want to go back and listen to 'Made in the Dark'.

The Ewan Pearson remix here is by far and away the stand out track on this here EP, and whilst this might quench the thirst of the most die-hard of Hot Chip fans, for me, this EP was just like expecting a mixed grill and being presented with a bite-sized sausage roll - still enjoyable, but just not what you wanted.

Listen: www.myspace.com/hotchip

Tracklist:
1. Hold On (Switch LA Remix)
2. Hold On (Switch LDN Remix)
3. Hold On (Mock n' Toof Remix)
4. Touch Too Much (Ewan Pearson Remix)
5. Touch Too Much (Kollektiv Turmstrasse Remix)