Faithless Album: “Insomnia [US #2]”

Its been six years since Insomnia initially blew-up to become one of the more important dance songs of the late 90s. Like several other BMG/Arista dance songs, this has been re-issued. There are no new mixes of the track, just mixes included on the 1997 US release. Does it really matter? No.

I find it hard to believe that anybody could top the Monster Mix of "Insomnia" no matter how hard they try. I also find it hard to believe Rollo & Sister Bliss together could ever produce anything as classy as this. This is one of the few songs that only gets better with age. Included on the CD are mixes by Armand Van Helden and De Donatis (one half of DJ Quicksilver), both taking "Insomnia" in different directions, with Armand's actually sounding like it would fit into many DJ's sets today. The highlight of course is the Monster Mix - the one that inspired the Future Breeze remix of "Encore Une Fois", among many other tracks. This is the mix where Maxi Jazz's vocals fit in best, "talking about tearing off tights with his teeth" etc. Doesn't appear good in writing, but with smooth vocals its easy to get away with.

You may be asking yourself why I am bothering to review this in 2001, and I am for one reason. To tell anybody who missed out on the original to pick this up IMMEDIATELY. This is a classic track, plain and simple. I already own a copy of the original 1995 release, but may get another copy to spare. It *is* that good.

Definitely the best mix on this CD. Wait till about the 3 min. mark for the signature sound sample that made this song big.

Typically, a collection of remixes for one given song usually go in such different directions that it divides the listeners into different camps. Although the remixers' approaches here are different enough, there seems to be enough linking them together that they don't completely go in opposite directions, making the different versions presented on this single pretty cohesive. The "Monster Mix" was the version typically played in the clubs, and the song typically received a huge response whenever it went on, and was a hit to boot on the radio as well. Great song, and save for a couple of follow-up hits, is the song that defines Faithless' success.

There was so much buzz surrounding this track in 1997 and 1998 that I had to check it out. Talk about a disappointment. NONE of the mixes on THIS CD are even decent. And it's not even hard enough on the baseline to be dance music. It's like after-hours or chill out. Maybe there is a good mix of this track out there somewhere, but it certainly isn't on this CD.