Goldfrapp "Utopia - Genetically Enriched" Mute 9159-2 2001 (45:26)
Utopia (Genetically Enriched) (3:49)
U.K. Girls (Physical) (4:48)
Human (Live Version) (4:44)
Human (Calexico vocal) (4:47)
Utopia (Jori Hulkkonen Remix) (6:15)
Utopia (Tom Middleton Cosmos Vocal) (8:15)
Utopia (Tim Wright Remix) (5:09)
Utopia (Sunroof Mix) (7:39)
Mute must be making some serious coin on Goldfrapp considering they've now released 3 singles and an EP from her debut album "Felt Mountain". This 'genetically enriched' version of "Utopia" is the first to make it stateside at a domestic price (mine was less than $7) and it has 8 tracks rather than the paltry 3 that the other singles have. I'm not detecting much difference between the album and 'ge' versions of "Utopia" other than the shorter track time which will help get it on the radio here. "U.K. Girls" is part original and part straight ahead, Goldrapp-ed cover of Olivia Newton-John's dreadful early '80s mega-hit "Physical". Why? I'd much rather the Revolting Cocks tongue in cheek take. The live version of "Human" proves that Alison's vocals are not just a product of the studio, but that's about all as the rest of the track sounds like backing tapes and sequences with a bit of applause at the beginning and end. The Calexico Vocal version of "Human" is an interesting transformation of the tune into a regional folk song complete with nylon stringed acoustic guitars, horns and Spanish crooning performed by John Contretas and ensemble. The next three tracks are braindead dancefloor remixes not worthy of mention. The final track is a remix by Daniel Miller, head honcho of Mute. Miller saps the track of most of its bass 'oomph' and reverberates the percussion. It's not bad but it's unnecessarily long and lame and compared to the album version. My recommendation - just get the album instead. It's worth it. This EP has very little more to offer ...
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via CD Universe.