Album: Simian Mobile Disco, Sample and Hold (Wichita)

'Sample And Hold' is SMD's acclaimed 'Attack Decay Sustain Release' album remixed. Sucking much of the joy from the original, it's largely an excuse for the artist's mates to show off their effects buttons on vocal-starved odysseys meant for earnest men to nod their heads to.

It's what would once have been called 'intelligent techno': subtle motifs with no peaks, climaxes or fun. Exceptions are the tom tom-happy Joakim remix of "It's the Beat", which preserves the vocal and some of the spirit of the original, and the naggingly funky Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve version of "Love".

Pick of the Album: Merlin at the mixers: 'Love'