With Muse established as one of the biggest bands in the world we take a look back at some remixes of their biggest hits. Some are good, some are bad, and some are just plain weird.

A retro remix

Muscle Museum – Soulwax Remix

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First up is a retro remix from the genius’ that are Soulwax. Muscle Museum from Muse’s first album Showbiz is given an uplifting errrm… uplift from the belgian mixing masters. The mix stays true to the original song’s format, but replaces guitars for electronics and ups the tempo , the result is a, blistering, very danceable 3:45 seconds, even if it does compromise on some of the epic power of the original.

A newer remix

Uprising – Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix

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Uprising, the band’s first single from 5th album The Resistance, some people dislike it, others think it’s decent but sounds too much like something kylie should have released. Well, this remix for the noisy 5-piece Does It Offend You, Yeah? This fantastic effort is one of the few mixes that is better than the original and is considered good enough to appear on the Uprising single. Stick with it through the first minute and you will be rewarded (if you like that sort of thing).

A genre bending remix

Supermassive Blackhole – Emre B remix

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Up next is a great genre bending remix from Turkish born Emre B (no, it’s not the footballer).

Now, those of you reading this are likely to be Muse fans, and if that’s the case there is a fairly good chance you won’t be into your electro house dance music and hence, probably will think that he has murdered this track with the remix. However, we try not to be genre prejudice and can appreciate a good remix when we hear one! I have to admire the way he completely overhauls the track yet retains the elements which give the song it’s identity.

A ridiculously boring trance remix

New Born – Paul Okenfold Mix

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Ok, so maybe we are genre prejudice, but come on, this is truly boring.

A stuttuterry remix

Knights Of Cydonia – Ocelot Remix

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American electro house mixers Ocelot  have come out with okay effort.  Vocals aside, it really retains next to nothing of the original track. It has a decent build up, but it doesn’t take too long for all that stuttering to get on your nerves, after the first minute, the next 4 are pretty painful listening.

A ‘what what they thinking’ remix

Unintended – MG Remix (Jirob)

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I’ll have what he’s having. I mean, clearly, the less said about this the better.

A mashup, not a remix

When You Were A Starlight – team9

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Yes, we’ve branched out to name and shame an annoying mashup. team9 is the work of producer Neil Mason who comes from Perth, Australia.

In all fairness, technically it sounds quite good, it flows well and even has a bit of a wah wah wah  wah wah noise around 1m35s, so, what’s the problem? Well, to put it in colour terms: red and green are both lovely colours, nice and vibrant and enjoyable however, when you mix them together you get a shitty brown.

An outstanding remix

Map Of The Problematique – Does It Offend You, Yeah? Remix

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Does It Offend You, Yeah? are here again with their take on Map of the Problematique. Once again, like their Uprising remix, this appeared on the single of the original, and once again, retains most of what makes the original charming, but transforms it into something you just have to pull some shapes to.

There are other remixes out there, if you know of any you think I should have included let me know in the comments!

First, to set the scene.  The performance was held in the iconic Esplanade. It really is a spectacular piece of architecture. Inside, the main concert hall resembles a cross between an upturned Noah’s arc, and a wooden cathedral, and the acoustics are excellent, I’d say better than the Albert Hall’s from past experience. During the interval I wandered out to the bar to grab a swift beer, which enjoys fantastic views overlooking the marina which is really quite stunning lit up at night.

I really enjoyed most of the programme. It opened with Stravinsky’s Concerto in D for strings, which sounds very contemporary despite it being over 60 years old. The first movement, Vivace, really stood out, a frantic, bustling piece, which conjured up images of a busy metropolis such as Singapore, and with a fantastic recurring discordant motif which feels like it’s always teetering on the brink of crashing, but remains beautifully balanced throughout.

Next up was Brahms’ Adagio in B minor for viola and strings. Here Bashmet takes centre stage, and his performance is mesmerising, incessant, and emotive. The dynamism of his viola and the intricate interplay between the cello and viola sections provides the perfect counterpoint. After that was Three Film Scores for Strings by Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu. Here the highlight was the first piece, Music of Training and Rest from the film Jose Torres,which possessed a great jazz rhythm reminiscent of Gershwin and Bernstein. The manner in which the cellists were transformed into the role of jazz-blues bassists with the violas replicating sharp off-beat jazz piano notes conveyed a really impressive and innovative arrangement.

After the interval was Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilatewith the first choral appearance of the night in the form of a female soprano. To be honest, I found this piece a bit tedious. It was fairly standard Mozart, and the music remained shackled by the piece’s emphasis on the singer. I kept flashing back to visions of Simon Cowell-derived television ‘talent’ contests, and the annoying warbling stylings of current wannabe pop singers, as to be honest, what the soprano was doing was basically the same thing but a little bit more elaborate, in Latin, and in a higher key. It was essentially just warbling though of a different kind, but because it is masked behind the respectable face of classical music it is therefore obscured from similar public criticisms. I thought it only fair to redress the balance.

The programme finished with Mass No.2 in G Major for mixed chorus and stringsby Schubert, and saw the full Moscow State Chamber Choir take to the stage. The night ended on a high, and the third movement struck a particular chord with me, with it’s minimal but strident string tones, and deep, ominous choral chanting, it had something of a Soviet vibe to it. It reminded me a little of (and this is where I lose any credibility as a serious classical reviewer, if I hadn’t already done so by use of the word ‘vibe’ in the last sentence)… the film score to The Hunt to Red October.

And on that bombshell, I think I’ll go back to my day job.

Planning your holiday playlist is not a task which should be left to the last minute, like say, packing! Much care, thought, and attention needs to be invested in it. You need to think about the place you’re going to and match your choices accordingly. For example, if you are planning a trip to the top of a tall landmark like say the Eiffel Tower or Niagara Falls, then it might not be a good idea to have Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ suddenly blaring out of your headphones! Clearly Balearic grooves are more fitting for sun, sea and sand rather than a skiing retreat to snow-fettered mountains, for which something post-rock would perhaps be more apt. For a relaxing retreat, chilled-out ambiance is probably more desirable than banging party anthems.

The percussion and rhythm of a song can convey a sense of physical momentum reflective of your means of travel, which can make the experience of getting to your destination all the more enjoyable and relieve some of the stress from travelling. Most important to remember is that holidays are about escapism, a relief from the trappings of everyday life. Your music should reflect this. You don’t want to be listening to songs with strong home associations when you’re away trying to forget about everything.

Here are my ten essential summer travel tunes, all of which I will taking with me on my impending trip to the Far East:

The Knife – Heartbeats

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Made famous by Jose Gonzalez’s not inconsiderable acoustic cover version, the original is pure feel-good summer vibes. Great pre-going out, whilst watching the sun go down to with a drink in hand.

Supertramp – Take the Long Way Home

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This song breathes pure escapism. Its whistling harmonica and bouncing piano riffs conjure up the image of a long sun-drenched train ride.

Paul Simon – Graceland

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This whole album is an undisputed classic, and with its prominent African influences, its musical exoticism makes it perfect for globe-trekking. The title track in particular with its rolling baseline propels you forward in both body and mind to your destination.

Belle & Sebastian – Ease Your Feet In the Sea

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The title says it all really. Lie back on the beach, relax, and watch your problems drift out to sea.

Phoenix – Too Young

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Phoenix have consistently made great pop songs for years now, and their latest album presents their most feel-good summery sound yet. This classic track from their first offering has become synonymous with iconic foreign cityscapes due to its ‘Lost in Translation’ association. Its insistent guitar riff shoots past you as you stroll down busy sidewalks to the staggered rhythm of its chords, contemplating its emotive introspective lyricism with a simultaneous sense of wonder and longing.

Thomas Dolby – Budapest by Blimp

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From the first ethereal synth note, it feels like your floating on air. Look out of the airplane window across a blanket of clouds, and dream.

Joe Jackson – Steppin’ Out

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An all-time favourite of mine, its unrelenting bass-line propels you through the nocturnal streets while the piano melody shimmers around you like bright white city lights.

Laptop – Nothing to Declare (Les Rythmes Digitales Remix)

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Catchy pure electro pop fun, its comic travelling sentiments will keep you smiling while you’re forced to queue for hours through customs.

M83 – Kim and Jesse

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Possessing ghostly vocals, and moving from moments of windswept desolation to pure euphoric melodious joy, this song transcends both time and space.

The Zombies – Time of the Season

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A classic holiday romance song, it manages to simultaneously induce a sense of nostalgia for summers past and optimism for the future. Its unmistakable vocal-clap percussion style merely adds to its musical sensuality.

I hope you enjoy them! Keep checking back for my musical musings from Singapore and Malaysia over the coming weeks.