Hits You Can Dance To
Posted March 16, 2015
By CaitlinLassiter_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Since 1995, WOW has been the go-to place to find all the best hits in Christian music. With annual releases, the series produces compilation albums of the greatest songs music has to offer. For the first time ever, WOW Hits Party Mix is tackling the world of remixes. This collection, broken up into two discs, includes 36 reinvented tracks, 17 of them being brand new. When being introduced to over two hours of new music, you're bound to find some absolute gems as well as some that fell a bit short of expectations.
The Times It Worked:
Francesca Battistelli starts the album off strong with the David Thulin remix of "Write Your Story." Big Daddy Weave's "Overwhelmed (NEVA Remix)" follows close behind, coming out (arguably) better than the original. Proving to be the standout remix in the collection, Brandon Heath's "Give Me Your Eyes (Unsecret Remix)" takes on a techno beat and shifts uptempo for a refreshing change to a song we've loved for years.
Everfound's remix of their own song "God Of The Impossible," Skillet's "Hero (The Legion Of Doom Remix)" and Chris August's "Center Of It (feat. Manwell)" also emerge as enjoyable listens and well-produced recreations of popular hits.
Crowder uses his "folktronica" style to bring a new element to the old hymn "Because He Lives," in which the legendary Bill Gaither makes an appearance. "Fireblazin (Neon Feather Remix)" from remix masters Capital Kings, "Joy (Remix)" from the Irish worship group Rend Collective and "On Fire (The Upper Room Remix)" by Sanctus Real all provide great examples of times that the remix technique worked well and left fans with a new way to hear the songs they've become familiar with.
The Times It Didn't Work:
Sometimes the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" could certainly apply to music, and a few entries here appear to fit under that category. Remixes such as Hillsong Young and Free's "Wake (Through The Night Remix)" and for KING & COUNTRY's "Fix My Eyes (Glory Remix)" come across slow and seem to drag on, not quite living up to expectations for such great songs. On the other end of the spectrum, "No Man Is An Island (haarp Remix)" from Tenth Avenue North and Love and The Outcome's "He Is With Us (JSapp Remix)" sound a bit rushed.
Closing Thoughts:
Even with a few tracks that didn't quite come together with the sound I had hoped for, the good still outweighs the bad here by far. WOW has spent decades gathering the very best Christian music has to offer and compiling it in a way that makes it easy for listeners to hear their favorites while also being introduced to new songs. This album is no different. Party Hits Mix gives us some great dance jams to enjoy, and it makes us all look forward to the next album that remixes our favorites.
Song To Download Now:
"Give Me Your Eyes (Unsecret Remix)" (Get it on iTunes here.)
View All Music And Book Reviews By CaitlinLassiter_NRT | View CaitlinLassiter_NRT's Profile
|
