Lang Remixed
Lang Remixed
表演者: Aus
专辑类型: 专辑
介质: CD
发行时间: 2008-03-12
唱片数: 1
出版者: Preco Records
条形码: 4941135300121
专辑简介
It’s always been very weird critiquing remix albums, because generally speaking, the record maintains a certain lack of substance that the original may have contained and is therefore destined only to be replaced by a re-working in the eyes of each of the remixers. What I’m really commentating on here is that, for exceptional artists that fall under the general caliber of blokes like aus, record labels or simply a group of musicians really need to grow out of the norm that is the standard remix album. Meaning that, instead of simply dropping tracks by a few artists and calling it a day, the effort should be of a collaborative nature rather then that of a singular one, which basically seems to be the common practice nowadays.
Thankfully for Lang Remixed (and us), Preco is precisely the label on which the original album was released. As a result, aus’ work is treated in the most respectable fashion, and Preco have generated a group of several top notch remixers -- from the well respected Ulrich Schnauss to three former members of the group Hood. With a couple exceptions, there isn’t a track here that feels cheap or under/overproduced. This in itself is an excellent trait that several similar projects are very much without. To say the least, many other labels would highly benefit from taking a few notes here. And thus, we would reap the rewards as well – the reward of an original and stellar piece of work. Naturally though, we’ll just have to make do for now… which won’t too hard for this album.
The album starts exceptionally well with Sons of Magdalene’s dub reworking of "Clocks." In all its glory, the track is about the closest that the disc comes to something that sounds as though aus himself created it. Also, if you’re familiar with Preco’s summary of the album (which is detailed on their website), this is what they were referring to when they brought up the sprinkling of ‘magic dust’. It’s corny, but once you listen to the track, I’d be very surprised if you didn’t agree with that sentiment. After the pleasant opener, a surprisingly good remix from Schnauss is presented. The IDM-style beats from the original are stripped here and have been replaced by transcendental waves of sound, accompanied by the original lingering acoustic guitar, which sits beautifully atop the layered strings. Overall, Schnauss’ style – which is, at times, a little predictable – blends his production style with aus’ in a manner that is not only effective, but very moving. Proceeding along, the next excellent inclusion here is offered by Manual, who offers a very melancholic version of "New Look" and really does make it his own by going as far as transforming a once short three minute minimalist-inspired tune into basically a 6 minute example on how to properly, and without the processed cheese, go about producing a shoegaze track.
Coming off that high, we’re transported into the mind of Dosh. Whether one wishes to go to such a place is fully dependent on the listener. In any case, the surprise here isn’t exactly unexpected and it isn't actually much of a surprise either, I suppose. The track begins innocently enough with an attractive breakbeat, as well as the looping of aus’ synthesizer, string melodies, and occasional IDM-inspired drum programming/synth squelches. Around the middle point, the track actually reverses all of its previous attributes by sustaining the synthesizer squelches and going completely berserk with the drum programming. One could also refer to Dosh as going “Ape shit, on that shit” as well. But, to skip all the ways you could refer to this somewhat…drastic change, we’ll refer to it as just that -- a drastic change. If I may make a recommendation, don’t have the volume all the way up.
To slip back into a more ‘serious’ tone, Epic 45 eases our ear drums, much akin to the comforting presence of a parent after a child has experienced a horrible nightmare. The feeling is quite undeniably that of unabashed bliss. Continuing on with the album highlights, State River Widening offers a continuation of Dosh’s and Epic 45’s tale, in which, after settling down, we slip back into a dream like state. There’s no real set of rules here; the interpretation is really left up to the listener. Not that the listener actually has to interpret it in any particular way, but he or she would perhaps be doing an in-justice to him or herself to not get at least slightly immersed for a reasonably short period of time. Lastly, "Moraine" is an enjoyable dub flavored remix from former Hood member Chris Adams, who really puts his own signature solo production attributes on the track. Overall, by itself, it’s a great track that feels a bit like an Entroducing… DJ Shadow inspired track and overall fits well on the album.
In conclusion, while there perhaps isn’t a drastic new approach to the remix album here, the little things like having the tracklist in the same order as aus’ original work, as well as the extraordinary effort exhibited from of all of the artists, sets it apart from other works that have received far more bashful treatment. And sometimes, that’s all it really takes.
曲目
1 Clocks (Sons Of Magdalene Dub) (4:43)
2 Halo (Ulrich Schnauss Remix) (5:10)
3 Double Talk (Kettel Remix) (4:39)
4 New Look (Manual Remix) (6:16)
5 Beyond The Curve (Dosh Remix) (4:25)
6 Opaque (Clee Raders Mix By Epic45) (6:20)
7 Aslope (Isan Remix) (5:23)
8 Headphone Girl (State River Widening Remix) (3:33)
9 Moraine (Bracken Remix) (4:52)
10 Stargazing (The Remote Viewer Remix) (5:28)