If there is a compilation that could perhaps define this year’s club queen, Dance Factory: Level 2 just might be it. Case in point: the disc has its fair share of 80’s covers, including DJ Sammy’s kitschy “Boys of Summer,” Mad’House’s sacrilegious take on “Holiday,” and Fusion 808’s instrumental version of “Take On Me.” Still aren’t convinced? The disc also includes a “2003” version of Snap!’s “Rhythm Is a Dancer,” a remix of Mariah Carey’s mediocre “Through the Rain” (what happened to the flawless “Vision of Love” Mariah?), and Gabry Ponte’s hideous “Time to Rock.” The defense rests.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that there isn’t a bit of sophistication sprinkled amongst the blatant camp attack. Cassius’ “Sound of Violence,” Telepopmusik’s “Breathe,” and Underworld’s “Two Months Off” help infuse Dance Factory with a bit of 21st century style, and it’s even pleasant to see Tina Arena back again on The Roc Project’s “Never.”
For any self-respecting music fan, Dance Factory is a guilty pleasure at best.
For those with no threshold for cheese, this might be your pot of gold – and hopefully, thanks to a few choice tracks, a gateway to a more mature future.
