Kittenz & Thee Glitz

From URB Magazine
Try Felix Da New Wave Revivalist. Since pop culture seems caught in a 20-year loop, Felix is right on time, with Kitten and Thee Glitz partying like it's 1982. Not that he's alone; the '80s have been a ubiquitous presence on dance floors for a while now. Retro reworks such as Peter Black's heavily caned version of Eddy Grant's "Electric Avenue" led the pack of back-in-the-day DJ tracks that made the rounds over the past year. Let's not even get into the Valley Girl fashion statements that all of the cool kids are currently making. You'd think Molly Ringwald still ruled teen bedroom walls.

But no one's gone the distance like our man Felix. Instead of just blowing the dust off of relics from his childhood closet, he's embraced the neon ethos of the era and produced an actual New Wave album that still sounds eerily contemporary. So much so that it swiped the 2001 Muzik magazine award for Album of the Year from such heavyweights as Basement Jaxx's Rooty and Outkast's Stankonia. OK, so maybe it is time to bust out the old Member's Only jacket . . .

Utilizing the bored, monotone vocals of DJ Hell signing Miss Kitten, robotic rhythms and sweeping synths, tracks such as "Harlot," "Madame Hollywood" and the ubiquitous DJ favorite "Silver Screen (Shower Scene)," Kittenz and Thee Glitz plays like the great album Berlin forgot to record after Pleasure Victim. Except "What Does It Feel Like?," which is pure Dirty Mind-era Prince. The only thing missing is the Patrick Nagel cover art. Like, totally.

Scott Sterling

Tracks:

Harlot (Intro)
Walk With Me
Voicemail w/Miss Kittin
Madame Hollywood
Silver Screen Shower Scene
Control Freaq
What Does It Feel Like?
Happy Hour
Thee Enter View
Glitz Rock
Analog City
Pray For A Star
Sequel2Sub
Magic Fly
She Lives
Runaway Dreamer

Customer Reviews:

You've Enter Analog City.......2007-06-20

For anyone into Electro-Clash, Tech House, with a hint of 80's Hi-NRG and New Wave then this is for you. The first song I heard from this was "Silver Screen Shower Scene", but it was a different version from the CD version. It sampled "She Has A Way" by Bobby Orlando (1982). When i first bought "Kittenz and Thee Glitz" I wasn't sold on it right away, because of my love for original sound from the 80's. Once i got over certain hang ups it grew on me, and I understood why Felix would do something like this. It was his influence and love for the sound, but without contemporizing it too much like most house DJ's do on a mix CD. This definitely caught my attention real quick, and at the same time had mad respect for what Felix was doing. The first half of the album (tracks 02-10) move smoothly thanks to the hypnotic sound of the sequencer bass lines (and the recognizable samples too). The last half the album (tracks 11-16) slows the tempo down with very simular sounds of Telex and Kraftwerk. Tracks 17-18 kick start the temp back up with a acid house/electro remix version of "Silver Screen".

Here is a list of the most notable samples that Felix used on the album. Track 02 "Walk With Me", uses a simular intro to "Rasberry Beret" by Prince (1985). Track 05 "Silver Screen" uses "Passion" by The Flirts (1982). Track 06 "Control Freaq" uses "That's Good" by Devo (1982). Track 10 "Glitz Rock" uses "Now Baby Now" by Kano (1980).

Kittenz and thee glitz- The best album iv'e heard this century!!.......2005-11-28

When i popped 'kittenz and thee glitz' into my c.d player for the first time, my jaw dropped.I have written a list of the tracksshowing the great and the odd boring track.

1.harlot-the first track started and i wasn't sure. Old fashioned trumpets and a french voice(i figured it was miss kitten)introduces it. The tune was unleashed and it sounded a bit off beat.Then, out of nowhere the drums kicked in brilliantly resulting one of my favorite songs on the album!

2.Walk with me-This is a nice, chilled out song, but can get boring after a few listens.

3.Analogue city- This would have been one of the best songs on the album, if it wasn't one minute and 20(ish) seconds long. Still, maybe its better left as it is. Brilliant, haunting, and quite sinister for felix.Still i love it.

4.-Pray for a star-Probably the worst song on the album.But really, its not that bad, but doesn't quite fit the style of the rest of the album.

5.Voicemail-Apparently this is a genuine voicemail of miss kitten, but sounds a bit acted out.Maybe its just her accent.Anyway, its a good introduction to her vocals that proceed.

6.Madame hollywood-I think this album would have suited 'devin dazzle and the neon fever'(Felix's follow up to 'kittenz') better, as it focuses on hollywood and glamour, similar
to the rest of the songs on that album.Overall, its a great song, with great lyrics. i like how it merges with the next track with the snapshots of a camera being the last beats.

7.-Silver screen shower scene- This is one of the best songs, if not the best, on the album.I was dissapointed though, because i heard the 'static revenger' remix and it was brilliant.After hearing that,this version seemed a bit plain.But when felix's vocals and the string breakdown kicked in towards the end, it gave me a different view of the song.Brilliant!

8.-Control freaq-This is a stomping dancefloor groove, that will get your head nodding-This is more than similar to 'watching cars go by' from 'devin dazzle'. I love the radio static part and it tunes itself back in. Awsome.

9.-What does it feel like?-I don't usually listen to this track, because i have to admit, its a bit boring, and miss kitten does'nt seem to have put much effort into this track.She could at least sound a bit more enthusiastic!But, it could just be her accent!

10.Happy hour- Wow. i wasn't expecting this.It is absolutely one of my faves! it is a great tune laid back beats and a feel good vibe.This is a bit of a chill out song and it really gets you a good mood for the rest of the day(and night!)Blast this one till your speakers crumble!!

11.-Thee enter view(inside thee glitz)
This is an ok interview but is a bit short to actually be interesting.It does, however, let you know about all the people involved in the making of the album.If you listen carefully, you will hear 'glitz rock' in the background.by the way, does anyone know what harrison crump says at the end that makes them laugh? cos i don't have a clue, it comes out in a robot-ish voice.

12.-Glitz rock-This is the most 80's song you will find on 'kittenz and thee glitz'.It starts off great, and finishes off even better.I love this song and sounds great played loud.The bass is tremendous!! It sounds like daft punk!

13.-Sequel2sub-Whats with the name of this track? oh well, this is a fine song that always gets me tapping my foot to that extremely catchy keyboard ditty.This would have been my favorite song of the album.The reason it isn't is about 2 minutes and 10 second in, the drums that were once really nice, into horrible prodigy-style thuds.Its a shame it would have been a worthy addition to the album otherwise.I hope Felix will do a remix of this gettin rid of those awful drums

14.Magic fly-This is a pointless cover of a band called space(or something like that) its a bit boring but has a nice bit of drumwork.

15.She lives-I don't like this rack very much its not particularly enjoyable to listen to.You will usually find yourself skipping tracks 14 and 15.

16.Runaway dreamer-This is a really good tune, but could have done with a drum beat.It is best listened to alone.

17.Silver screen shower scene(laurent garnier remix)-I own the uk special edition, so the bonus tracks are different to most people.They are much better.This version of silver screen is ok, but doesn't mach the original.

18.Harlot(justin robertson remix)-i like this a lot.It is great how they took quite a nice song and turned it into this sinister groove.It doesnt sound like harlot in any way (except for the lyrics), and should be recognised as a song in its own right.

19.-What does it feel like?(royksopp return the sun).Royksopp, the band who made the catchy 'poor leno' could have done a lot better than this and ends the album in poor fashion.If i had it my way the album would have ended with the harlot remix.This song sounds like a slow version of mr oizo's 'phat beat'.On a positive, it doesn't sound like 'what does it feel like', the only simmilarity is the lyrics.

So there you have it.If you like any dance music that ranges from The prodigy to mylo, this album is for you.If youve stepped up on the dancefloor and gotten your groove on just ONCE! You need to own this album.Not enough people have been lucky enough to experience Felix's unique sound, and this is the masterpiece that won the awards and got the critics hearts beating.I can't stress enough how brilliant this album is!! its probably isn't possible to. Just go to the top of this page and buy it? what have you got to lose.Apart from a measly couple of quid that absolutely worth every penny!!
Seriously! you'd have to be an idiot not to!!
Ill leave the decision down to you.
Spread the word. Peace out.
Ryan

sigh.........2005-07-25

i was expecting so much more from this album after hearing silver screen shower scene..:-( "happy hour" and "what does it feel like" are the only other tracks on this record that are good.
the rest of these tracks are either
A.) boring as hell or
B.) 'okay' tracks that have a lot of potential, but because of stupid lyrics (Madame Hollywood for example) or a lack of flow (namely Harlot), they are very mediocre, which is a shame, really.

:-( what a waste of money.

Fresh funky cool.......2004-10-12

This cd is really great for any dance fan. Retro electro beats that felix lays down with ease. Some songs are on the layed back side but some really make u want to get up and dance. Highly reccomended for anyone who liked the miss kitten and the hacker cd "first album"!

It's everything I always wanted..glitz,$$,babes,me, me,@ me!.......2004-05-24

This the greatest concept anthem to The American Dream.

I recommed it for fans of "Scarface," "Miami Vice," "GTA: Vice City," Miss Kittin, Freezepop, Gary Numan, the soundtracks of early John Carpetner Sci-Fi/Sci-Horror movies, The Clubkid Movement,or Bobby Ballistic's nutball novels "Amerikkka Part One" and "Amerikkka Part Two" (i've seen the pre-published form of the latter, it's like electroclash-crazy!).

Kittenz and Thee Glitz
Average customer rating:

Wanted to love it, but eh.

Kittenz and Thee Glitz
Felix da Housecat
Manufacturer: Emperor Norton
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
House | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Alternative Dance | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Devin Dazzle & the Neon Fever

First Album

Playboy: The Mansion Soundtrack

A Bugged Out Mix by Felix da Housecat

Bright Like Neon Love

ASIN: B0002ABTHQ
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Tracks:

Harlot (Intro)
Walk With Me
Voicemail
Madame Hollywood
Silver Screen Shower Scene
Control Freaq
What Does It Feel Like?
Happy Hour
Thee Enter View Inside Thee Glitz - Live Interview
Glitz Rock
Analog City
Pray For A Star
Sequel2sub
Magic Fly
She Lives
Runaway Dreamer
What Does It Feel Like? (Royksopp Return To The Sun Remix)
Silver Screen Shower Scene (Thin White Duke Mix)

Customer Reviews:

Wanted to love it, but eh........2005-11-19

I'm a fan of Miss Kittin and had heard a couple of things from Fdh that I enjoyed. I figured this album couldn't miss. Unfortunately, I listed to the whole thing and I was bored. None of the songs really got my attention and I had to keeping checking the cd to make sure it wasn't the same song. It's not a horrible cd, but it won't rock your world.