What's so good?
By Jason Grishkoff | December 16th, 2009
This review was originally posted by guest contributor Danger Dome on her blog,
Dipped in Dollars, which you can visit to discover much more new music.
So it’s that time of year again, the time for the “best of” lists that seem to crop up everywhere. While I find the idea of a list of the best albums of a year overwhelming (let alone of a DECADE, not even gonna touch that one), I know that I will be able to handle it. However, for now I’m easing into it with a more specific category, my favorite remixes released this year. Though often overdone, and largely mediocre, a good remix can be a powerful thing. It can transform a great song into an even greater one, and a not that great one into an enjoyable listening experience. They allow music to transcend genres, and when done right, create a song that one thinks of as completely separate from the original. I tried to choose five, but had to bump the number up to ten, because there was too much greatness to go around. I’ve also chosen to list these by remixer, not original artist. So let’s get to it.
"Lemonade - Big Weekend (Delorean Remix)"
I have to admit, I’m really not the hugest fan of
Delorean (although their name is awesome) or
Lemonade, but somehow when they get all mixed up together, voila! Perfection. This track is great, despite my prejudices. To quote the song “the future of sound came to him in a dream”, brilliance.
Download from:
IndieShuffle (right click save as)
Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Bats for Lashes - Daniel (Blueshift Bootleg Vocal)"
I really don’t know much about
Blueshift except that when I was obsessed with this
Bat For Lashes track, he was the only one to create a remix that I thought was worthy of the original (and that I longed for).
Download from:
IndieShuffle (right click save as)
Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Chromeo - Night by Night (Siriusmo Remix)"
Chromeo’s track “Night by Night” is brilliant enough as is, but
Siriusmo has infused it with his own brand of quirkiness. It starts out like a pretty basic remix, then transitions into a pretty gnarly interlude that works perfectly, and almost makes you forget what you’re listening to.
Download from:
IndieShuffle (right click save as)
Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Small Black - Despicable Dogs (Washed Out Remix)"
I love everything that
Washed Out creates separately, with all the hazy fuzz permeating throughout. Similar in style to
Small Black, but more
electronic than rock. He brings the perfect amount of his own aesthetic to their sound.
Download from:
IndieShuffle (right click save as)
Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
"Fool's Gold - Nadine (Memory Tapes Remix)"
This track is especially dreamlike, and lured me in with it’s intro of “don’t bare your
soul to me”.
Memory Tapes is one of my all time favorites, and has clearly done justice to this song, bringing their two styles together impeccably. The refrain of “Nadine” near the end is so amazing.
Download from:
IndieShuffle (right click save as)
Note: In many cases we can't share a track for free. So, we either link to sites that can, or provide purchase links (e.g., iTunes).
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