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Jan Wayne vs. Raindropz! - "Numb"

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Jan Wayne vs. Raindropz! - Numb

Jan Wayne vs. Raindropz! - Numb

CAPP Records

The Bottom Line

"Numb" is a cover of the Linkin Park track. The remixes range from jumpstyle to hardstyle to electro house.

Pros

* Original piano/synth riffs included
* Vocals emulate those of Chester Bennington & Mike Shinoda
* Variety of mixes to suit different tastes

Cons

* Heavy Euro-style beat feels cheesy
* Average remix length: 5:30

Description

* Label: Capp Records
* Remixes by: Handz Up, Re-Fuge, Alex Gap, Raindropz!, Topless, DJ Lanai, Illuminatorz
* Vocals by: Kristian Sandberg
* Released: May 2009

Guide Review - Jan Wayne vs. Raindropz! - "Numb"

Capp Records is a US label that tends to produce high BPM hardstyle/jumpstyle covers and original productions. Capp Records is like a Euro label on US shores. The style of music they typically release isn't up my alley. I find the BPM to be way too high to dance to, let alone mix into my sets. Nothing wrong with that, but it isn't my cup of tea.

When it comes to covering the heartfelt and heavy Linkin Park track "Numb," it is a daunting project. Taking anything that is ROCK as much as this track is and attempting to put it on the dance floor is a challenge in itself. The vocalist that Capp Records got, Kristian Sandberg, emulates singer Chester Bennington's growl rather well. He also tackles the speaking parts originally done by rapper Mike Shinoda. This is a great starting point for assembling the mixes, which all complement Sandberg's delivery. The piano melody and synth riff found in the original are also present in all of the mixes, which allows all of them to feel familiar. That is an important aspect of handling a project like this, allowing the listeners to feel that they are included in the process. Dropping important parts like those instruments might make the listener feel alienated. As for the remixes, I find two to stand above the rest.

The Re-Fuge remix is a straight out electro affair, chunky and engaging. It is a much slower BPM than the majority of the other mixes. The synth-work is similar to that introduced to the mainstream by Guru Josh Project's "Infinity 2008." A solid remix, and with the right amount of grunge, it keeps the aggressive feel that Linkin Park originally brought. This mix is my 2nd place choice. As for the best mix in the package, Alex Gap's treatments are the tops. With a BPM in the low 130s and considerable time given to the heartfelt moments (sans beats), it really is a welcome surprise when the last piano note fades away into a chunky synth melody, kicking the chorus in with fervor. Alex Gap has transformed an aggressive and fierce rock track into a fist-pumping dance floor anthem.

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