LISTEN UP!

On GSSP RMX, "Listen Up!," the ferocious centerpiece of Standing in the Way of Control, gets an EP's worth remixes from friends such as MSTRKRFT and A Touch of Class. As on the album, the original version of "Listen Up!" shows off the Gossip's sleeker, cleaner sound and new drummer Hannah Billie's chops, which make an even better foil for Beth Ditto's soulful, powerful vocals. This balance of fire and restraint makes the band's disco-punk leanings especially vibrant and convincing, even on the "Listen Up!" remixes. MSTRKRFT adds a tumbling bassline, ironic guitar solos, backing vocals and piles of percussion, giving the song a more playful, party-time vibe; Arthur Baker goes in an electro-disco direction, stretching the song out and focusing on Ditto's fiercest singing. A Touch of Class' eight-minute remix may be the most effective at taking "Listen Up!" in an even more danceable direction without sacrificing any of its rock bite. Le Tigre's reworking of "Standing in the Way of Control," with its tinny drum machines and thick, cheesy synths, ends up sounding a lot like a Le Tigre song. However, it's "Are U That Somebody?," a cover of Aaliyah's 1998 single, and another great showcase for Ditto's voice, that makes this EP a must-get for Gossip fans. ~ Heather Phares|