I'm a bit stuck when it comes to
reviewing remix albums; do we review the remixed songs as a reaction to the original album, or the collection as a whole? Should I listen to the original track then
compare it directly with the remix? Who has time for that? Does anyone other
than the producer care about the technical aspects of the remix? No. So, dear
reader, I shall look upon this here rekkid as it is, a collection of 10 tracks, the tracks from Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will, which are presented to us as a whole.
Mogwai, oh Mogwai, where to begin?
You read the tracklisting in advance, notice Justin Broadrick of Godflesh and
Jesu has remixed George Square
Thatcher Death Party which opens the album, and expect a kick in the
nuts to start off the night; in the end it's light cuppage and a pat on the
back, rather than testicular torture. Justin Broadrick shows restraint here and
teases you, just taking the weight off those sweaty sacks, before tempo
switches and they get a swift kick into the blistering hell that is Rano Pano (a song featured twice here, in
slightly different guises).
The cast of this motley crew of
remixers is pretty stellar. In addition to Broadrick, we have remixes by the
likes of Cylob and Tim Hecker (providing a spaced out Rano Pano), not to mention Rock
Action alumni Umberto. The most interesting name to read is acoustic hero RM
Hubbert, who is listed as 'reworking' rather than remixing Mexican Grand Prix. It's
gorgeous. Like, really bloomin lovely. Hubbert turns what was a driving disco-tinged
slice of post-rock, into a delicate, finger-picked and whispered lullaby. I
want to give it a hug.
Damnit, I made a comparison to the
original track. Er, anyway...it's really hard to ignore the previous versions.
But honestly, it's difficult to review these albums without looking back. Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will was by no means a perfect album, and
I'm not sure that this is meant to be a perfect set of remixes; rather it sits as
a set of interpretations which together give a slice of where Mogwai's hearts
and their music lie. This is a band who look outside of their bubble and
they've gathered a pool of artists here who can work without preconception, and
just craft their music. It doesn't all work all the time but there are some great
tracks on here, and you just need to compare the two versions of Rano Pano to see how different artists can
interpret the same source material.
Ultimately, if you don't like
Mogwai, or even just aren't fussed by them, then this probably isn't for you,
but then remix albums are never for the uninterested. They're slightly
self-indulgent on the band's part, we know that. This one offers plenty to
discover (Robert Hampson's work here being a particular treat) and if you are
interested in Mogwai at all, then you'll pick this up...or at least, listen to
it on Spotify. Maybe.
You should buy it though, it's dead good.
You should buy it though, it's dead good.
A Wrenched Virile Lore is released by Rock Action on the
19th November.
DO
No comments:
Post a Comment