Clubland, Vol. 15

Since making its debut in 2002 with Clubland: The Ride of Your Life, the Clubland series of mix albums increasingly coasted on his reputation as a dependable and economical Eurodance product for the U.K. youth market. Like its predecessors, Clubland, Vol. 15 includes dozens of Eurodance tracks split up into 80-minute mixes. There are well-known songs as well as obscure ones. The mainstream hits are generally remixed in a Eurodance style befitting the Clubland series. For instance, both the Noisettes' "Don't Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby Go)" and N-Dubz's "Strong Again" are remixed by Jorg Schmid. Other mainstream hits compiled on this volume include Tinchy Stryder's "Number 1," Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Girls Aloud's "Untouchable," Black Eyed Peas' "Boom Boom Pow," Pixie Lott's "Mama Do," and Taylor Swift's "Love Story" -- practically all of them remixed in a Eurodance style. In addition, there are lots of contributions from the Clubland artist roster: Agnes, Breeze, Darren Styles, Flip & Fill, Ultrabeat, Cascada, and Kelly Llorenna all show up on Volume 15. Among these contributions, standouts include the smash hits "Release Me" by Agnes and "Evacuate the Dancefloor" by Cascada. Unfortunately, as is customary with the Clubland series, the highlights of each disc tend to be frontloaded and there's far too much filler, generic Eurodance material by no-name artists that keeps the mixes moving along toward their uneventful conclusions. In the end, Clubland, Vol. 15 really isn't much better or worse than the past several albums. This series has long since become routine and continues to sell boatloads on the basis of its reputation rather than its actual content. ~ Jason Birchmeier