Thrive Mix 2- Mixed By Vic Lat [Compilation]

The first Thrive Mix CD was, and still is, one of my favorite dance compilations EVER. It had a perfect mix of dance, trance, and funky house. It had some of my favorite songs ever on it. I had high hopes for Thrive Mix 2, I really did. But then I saw the track list and I had no idea how it could possibly top the first Thrive Mix. No surprise, it didn't.

While there are some good songs on Thrive Mix 2, it just is leagues away from Thrive Mix 01. The mixing truthfully isn't that good - plain and not very well done. Many songs left me bored, while some songs kept me entertained. There is no trance to be found here; just house. Truthfully, I do not like house as much as trance at all. It can get kind of repetitive and even boring while trance usually, if not always, keeps me on my feet. Thrive Mix 2's slogan is "out with the old, in with the new", but I think it should've kept to the saying "if it ain't broke, then don't fix it." I'll go through each song.

CD ONE

1. Coldplay - Talk (Jacques Lu Cont/Thin White Duke Remix) ... B

A decent remix, but long and can sometimes get a little boring. And it takes a while to build up.

2. INXS - Need You Tonight (Static Revenger Club Mix) ... B+

Pretty good, but nothing more than that. There's some good music here, but the vocals somewhat left me hanging.

3. Kelly Clarkson - Walk Away (Craig J Big Love Mix) ... A-

A good song with really good music. A nice remix here.

4. The PussyCat Dolls - Don't 'Cha (Ralphi's Hot Freak Club Mix) ... A

A remix that actually proves to be better than the original. It turns a nice, cool, hip hop tune into a fun, pumping club track.

5. Britney Spears - And Then We Kiss (Junkie XL Mix) ... A-

Pretty good, yet I've never heard the original. Good music, great vocals for Britney, and yeah. A good song. Cheesy, but what do you expect? This is pop/house we're talking about!

6. Alanis Morissette - Crazy (Claude Le Gache Mix) ... A

Amazing cover of Seal's classic, which I've truthfully never heard, but Seal is still amazing. That didn't make much sense, did it? OK so anyway, this is an amazing remix of a pretty good tune. One of the best songs on the album, and catchiest.

7. Heather Headley - In My Mind (Freemasons Club Mix) ... B

Now we decend into catchy-music-but-repetitive-kinda boring-dance-house land. Nothing entirely special about this one, but the music is good. Vocals are good, but nothing catches my attention.

8. Kristine W - I'll Be Your Light (Jack Elliott & Mac Quayle Club Mix) ... B+

Her track on Thrive Mix 01 was outstanding, but this one just doesn't keep me interested. That's a shame because Kristine W is an amazing vocals with a few great songs under her belt.

9. Rent - Seasons of Love (Gomi's Lair Club Mix) ... A-

A pretty good remix of the only song Non-Rent Fanatics know from the outstanding musical. Actually it's not my favorite song from the soundtrack, but I won't go into that. The vocals are somewhat messed with here, making them sound less pure, but whatever. It's a good house remix of a good tune. The music goes with the original's, and the feeling from the original luckily isn't lost; a surprise.

10. Mylo Vs. Miami Sound Machine - Dr. Pressure (Clean Club Mix) ... A-

The catchiest song of the moment, the unescapable "Doctor Pressure". If you haven't heard this, get out of the rock you've been living under. Either you've heard Mylo's original song or this, or even Gloria Estefan's oldie hit. Bottom line - awesomely addicting.

11. Madonna - Sorry (Paul Oakenfold's Remix Edit) ... A

An amazing remix of a pretty good song, but again, not the best song from her album. Still perplexed on how it became a single over "How High" or "Push", but I think "Push" is next after "Get Together" (another good song from her album "Confessions on a Dancefloor").

12. DJ Peter Presta Feat. Bonse - Totally Hooked (Club Mix) ... A-

If you've never heard this song before, I can make you imagine it quite well. Take Boston's outstanding song "More Than a Feeling" and loop the chorus for six minutes or so, somewhat changing the lyrics a bit, and adding a cliched house beat. Then you've got the catchy, well-remixed "Totally Hooked". If what you imagined isn't exactly like this song, then I will be quite surprised.

CD TWO

1. Hard-Fi - Hard to Beat (Axwell Mix) ... B

I loved the original. It's an amazing rock song. Take the annoying, high-pitched screams from the third or fourth chorus, loop them over a house beat, and you've got Axwell's mediocre remix of the tune. Oh yeah, also add some random words from the verses. Where's the actual song? I'm not calling this song bad, but where are the good parts of the original?

2. Bob Sinclar Feat. Gary "Nesta" Pine - Love Generation (Full Intention Club Mix) ... B+

A pretty good song, even though it took some time getting used to. Very islandish. A good party anthem. The Full Intention Mix adds a nice, if basic, house beat into the mix.

3. A&C Vs. Kiki Dee - Music in Me ... C

The main problem with house is it's over-repetition and boring loops. Trance is interesting, and this is just plain mediocre.

4. Kaskade - Everything (Kaskade's Big Room Mix) ... B

Good music, but everything (haha) else is kinda boring-ish.

5. Danielle Bollinger - Kiss the Sky (Mike Rizzo's Global Club Mix) ... A-

Another good one, which was better than most of the previous songs. Powerful, and finally - dancey!

6. Carl Cox - Give Me Your Love (Valentino Extended Mix) ... C+

Another boring one. Sorry.

7. Deborah Cox - A House is Not a Home (Moran/Rigg Mixshow) ... B

Not her best, and another shame. Read the Kristine W section. Most of the same applies.

8. Deep Dish Feat. Stevie Nicks - Dreams ... A

An amazing remake of the Fleetwood Mac classic. 'Nuff said.

9. New Order - Guilt is a Useless Emotion (DJ Dan Mixshow) ... A

Actually amazing. One of the biggest surprises of the album. The verses are good, the chorus is catchy. Best song on the album, apparently.

10. Judge Jules Feat. Marcella Woods - So Special (Club Mix) ... B+

Good, if long.

11. Gabriel & Dresden Feat. Molly - Tracking Treasure Down ... A-

Another really good track. Great vocals, great chorus, great music. And something different from the mediocre house that I had to endure at the beginning of the second CD!

12. Goldfrapp - Ooh La La (Benny Benassi Mix) ... B+

A good remix.

OK so basically, this album gets around a B-, the score was lower because of the fact that the series switched to repetitive and mediocre house and dumped trance. There are a few really good songs here, but then there are songs that will bore you. Before you Release Thrive Mix 3, please rethink the tracklist (even though I have not seen it). I know house is more commerical, but don't forget about the awesome new trance music out there! And I am NOT talking about Cascada (even though she is pretty good)!

I would suggest this album to people who love the New York Dance Scene, and house music. Also those looking for some "exclusive" remixes of pop and rock songs and even showtunes will find some here. For those bored to tears by seven minute house songs with endlessly looped vocal tracks, run far, far away from this album. And for those who prefer the European dance music (*cough* a lot better *cough*), buy the outstanding Clubland 9 (it's an import, but it's worth the price).

Loving these mixes!!! This is my new work out CD. Great mainstream songs with a upbeat twist. I especially like that Pussycat Dolls "Don't Cha" and the INXS track. The RENT "Seasons" song is very cool...never heard that before.

I'd recommend this mix to anyone that loves house music, but wants to have a familiar melody or lyrics to sing along to!

I agree that this disc has a lot of slow down due to some not so hot song selections. I personally think disc 2 flows better than disc 1, and I was really happy to find a couple of rare remixes on here because I'm a big collector of hard-to-find mixes.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 6 reviews  3.3 out of 5 stars