Remix albums are rarely anything to get excited about, usually used to make completists
purchase more records and useless 12" singles. Pluramon, a.k.a. Marcus Schmickler, has
finally released a remix album that is listenable on its own. Because these artists are
remixing Pluramon material, most of the tracks have a common feel to them. However,
each artists maintains their own sound, making this feel like a themed compilation.
Pluramon's already electronic compositions lend themselves well to remixing.
Matmos continue their reign as remix kinds with their beautiful "hintergrund." By
adding toy piano, bowed banjo, and organ to their mix, Matmos transform the song into
their own creation. It's a great track to get lost in--there is a lot going on, and it never
becomes tacky or overdone.
Sean O'Hagan's High Llamas work their 60's pop style into "Syth," driven by plaintive
acoustic guitar strumming. While I'm not usually a fan of the High Llamas, this track
wins because of the way it brings acoustic instrumentation to electronic sounds. Even
Mogwai turn in a pretty decent remix of the song that Matmos does, turning it into a dark
shoegazer piece.
Hecker's remix is shrill and piercing, sounding like the rhBand played at the wrong
speed. Atom's "Tel.bell" reminds me of the Your Team Ring track on the Pieces of a
Utopian Puzzle soundtrack--psychedelically fractured and schizophrenic. The most
minimal track is "Res" by Snd--a slight rhythmic thumping, it is Oval-influenced
minimal techno in its most prolific form.
Merzbow takes up the entire fourth side with his lengthy remixes of "Gloop" and
"Formant." The sound is distinctly Merzbow--very harsh, with brutal, slow drumbeats
blasting through. The Lee Ranaldo remix, entitled "Microchip, Shit! My Cock is Analog,"
combines several tracks on Pluramon's Render Bandits record. It's a remarkable
composition, really sounding like an original piece. Ranaldo blends electronic and
live percussion with guitars and luching beats. This track displays what could be a new
direction for Ranaldo. Though only available as an import, Bit Sand Riders achieves the
impossible--being a very worthwhile remix album that can be listened to straight through
as if it was an original work.
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