Remix albums are pretty dicey territory. At best they can be a supplement that takes an album in a different direction and creates something new from the established. At worst, they are a hodgepodge of sounds that can reduce even the best albums to nothing more than a disjointed pile of sound.
Sadly, I can't accurately gauge how good Lymbyc Systym's Love Your Abuser Remixed album is. This is my first foray into the work of Lymbyc Systym and as such I have no idea how these songs stand up next to the originals. I can say, however, that this remix album has enough interesting ideas and catchy songs to make me want more.
Things start off rather abrasively with the One AM Radio remix of "Astrology Days." The first 20 seconds of the track is nothing but skips and jumps before the track morphs into a horn-laden triumph hymn. Strong and stirring, the song sounds even better paired with the Lymbyc Systym remix of "Birds," a dramatic and emotional track given weight by piano codas and live instruments.
The album progresses, each song its own little audio experiment, each song a three to four minute movement of diverse expression all operating under Lymbyc Systym's umbrella. The Album Leaf's addition of "Fall Bicycle" sounds like an Album Leaf song, which is either good or bad depending on how you feel about taking naps. Daedelus' remix of "...So We Can Sleep" is a high water mark on the album. Their track is a tense, haunting lullaby that mixes trance elements with classical piano flourishes, jumbled and messy but somehow still working. This Will Destroy You's remix of the title track is another stand out, as their take on "Love Your Abuser" plays like the best song Stars of the Lid never recorded.
Until I get my hands on a copy of Love Your Abuser, I will never know how well this remix CD matches up to the source material. However, based on the top-notch, moody electroncia on this album, I can't wait to find out. - Delusions Of Adequacy |
