So you've gotten Richard's new single. Released to accompany Absolute, it is a simple cardboard package. On one side, we see near "white album" minimalism, the letters TW2K emblazened in teal on a white background, an updated image above it; and the instructions for the Time Warp and the track listing below.

On the other side, we have an image of the original Time Warp chart, as we might imagine on some strange monitor.

Simple stuff, really. Then you listen.

The songs contained in it do not possess the same simplicity. Most definitely techno in base, we have Time Warp 2000 and two remixes.

Time Warp 2000 (3:49)- Waving moog sounds start out this version. A "star" seems to fall, and Richard kicks in with the vocal. The first verse is spoken low, and he only breaks to sing "the blackness". His voice is replaced by an electronica which handles the first chorus as all hell breaks loose with the drumbeats and sound effects, and Richard returns to sing about pelvic thrusting, his voice chopped to a near stuttering quality thanks to being fed through rapid phase. He then commands in a near Dalek tone to do the Time Warp. The voice is very good, actually. Whovians will be hard pressed to listen to the song and not hear "exterminate!" ringing in the back of their heads.

My personal favorite part of the recording is his phrasing during the second verse. "In another dimension" always manages to send a shiver up my spine.

Columbia's verse is handled by a girl. Though the cd cover gives no indication, the singer appears to be the same vocalist who handled the female vocals for the interactive game tracks. She tends toward a sultry nightclub crooner approach, and complements the groove of the tune well.

This definitely isn't your normal Time Warp. It SOUNDS more like a "time warp" with all the bending noises going back and forth past your ears. This is more of a song to play at a party, a club, or to be used to replace your favorite video game soundtrack. (It's also very funky to listen to late at night in headphones with very little sleep)

The Time Warp 2000 (Boys Extended Mix)(6:08)- Essentially the same song as the first, but with a two minute intro of drum loops and basic grooves, another section of "breakdown" of the beat before Columbia's verse- and the vocalist solos the chorus.

The Time Warp 2000 (Dub Mix)(4:49)-This remix contains the beats and sound effects we hear in the other two versions, and the only vocal present besides the occasionally repeating "electric" voice is that of Richard saying "With a bit of a mind flip" near the end of the track.

Angel in Me (5:12)-The last track of the single is appropriately also the last track of his album. It's the album version, and a great love song. What more needs to be said about this one?