Nothing brings greater joy to my face than a favorite band taking a decent – or even great – song and remixing it for our aural pleasure. It’s a hard balance though, and as The Very Best shows us, can sometimes err on the side of mediocre.
The original song in question:
Yeasayer - Ambling Alp
There’s something reassuring and familiar about Yeasayer’s approach to this song. Rolling, 80s-tinged beats with strong lyrics like “But if I've learned one thing to tattoo on my arm/Or burn into my thumb it would be that/You must stick up for yourself son/Never mind what anybody else done” complement each other throughout.
The Very Best’s first attempt at remixing “Ambling Alp”:
The Very Best - Ambling Alp (Yeasayer Overdub)
I appreciate The Very Best’s take, especially because you can see the kaleidoscope of different cultures melding into the track. The booming voice of Esau Mwamwaya is particularly touching. But, it’s nevertheless a rocky transition: the end result is more African pop than 80s throwback. And maybe that’s what it’s supposed to be.
The Very Best’s second attempt:
The Very Best – You’ve Got The Love (Ambling Alp overdub) w/ the xx, Florence + Machine
This remix is notable in that it samples the xx’s remix of Florence + The Machine’s “You’ve Got The Love.” Confusing? I know. Basically, The Very Best managed to remix a remix. The haunting warble of Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine is what makes the track worth listening to.
I hope you’ve made it this far in the post and that you’ll enlighten us with what you think. Do you agree with my assessment? Which track do you like the most? Hit us up. We’re always listening.
No comments:
Post a Comment