Customer Reviews

Illuminati: Remixed

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Illuminati is a collection of remixes from the eclectic band the Pastels. The remixes are extremely varied from the soothing sounds of Ian Carmichael to the funky vibes of Stereolab. Featuring much of the band's best work, Illuminati will surely please all of the Pastels fans out there, but given the great artists who take the Pastels songs and re-shape them and turn them into cool trip-hop/lounge style tracks this is a great album for fans of electronic music. One note: the Kid Loco remix of the Viaduct (which is also remixed spectacularly by Ian Carmichael) is an instrumental mix, whereas on Kid Loco's brilliant "Jesus Life..." album the remix contains the vocals. For any fan of Viaduct you know that the lyrics and the enticing singing make it the beautiful song that it is. The Loco track is still creative and cool, but his other one is better. Good, soothing, laidback, music for any occasion.

Cycle, remixed by My Bloody Valentine, is one of the loveliest songs I've ever heard and abides forever dear to my heart. I both love and mourn that it is obscure, that this album full of shimmering sweet music goes largely unnoticed, even though it is an homage of deepest authenticity and affection. Rather than rate it 5 stars, I'd prefer to rate it Pearl of Great Price. Simply beautiful.

Although I bought this in January, I'd have to classify it as a summer album. I don't know to much about the Pastels. I do know that they're from Britain, and there are a lot of big names here from the indie world that make this cd look very enticing. Jim O'rourke, Stereolab, Cornelius, John McEntire, etc. I was let down just a bit after hearing the first couple tracks, and even after listening to the whole album, I still felt like it was missing something. I listened to it a few more times during the next week, and the songs slowly started to wrap their arms around me and whisper in my ears. Windy Hill, Leaving This Island, and The Viaduct (Bill Wells) really made me start to appreciate this album. Most of the songs, including the three aforementioned ones, are mellifluous, drifting along at their own pace. If you like breezy reading music that's not to heavy on the ears, but has enough substance to have you humming the tunes, try this.

As an occasional Pastels listener I was suprised just how fresh sounding this is. Every track seems to push the Pastels further than they've gone before. The Ian Carmicheal mix of The Viaduct is a treat, and the MBV mix of Cycle makes you ache for the follow up to Loveless.

you can lose track of time at moments listening to this album. you intend to get things done, make coffee and all that while listening to it...but somehow things just get put on hold, and you fall into the details of the lovely sounds and poignant chirping melodies. japan boy Cornelius delivers something really unexpected. his rendition of "windy hill" is like a mini world within an already precious one. and there are some funny bits, too, care of the 'remixers' making such excellent use of the Pastel's otherwise childish, oddly tuneless vocals. a real find--if you can set your coffee down.

Although I bought this in January, I'd have to classify it as a summer album. I don't know to much about the Pastels. I do know that they're from Britain, and there are a lot of big names here from the indie world that make this cd look very enticing. Jim O'rourke, Stereolab, Cornelius, John McEntire, etc. I was let down just a bit after hearing the first couple tracks, and even after listening to the whole album, I still felt like it was missing something. I listened to it a few more times during the next week, and the songs slowly started to wrap their arms around me and whisper in my ears. Windy Hill, Leaving This Island, and The Viaduct (Bill Wells) really made me start to appreciate this album. Most of the songs, including the three aforementioned ones, are mellifluous, drifting along at their own pace. If you like breezy reading music that's not to heavy on the ears, but has enough substance to have you humming the tunes, try this.

The Pastels meet Stereolab meet Kruder and Dorfmeister. Just listening to the Remote Star Climb Remix by John Mc Entire is a trip of its own. It starts like a poor man DJ Kicks session, The multifaceted songs wander far from their Homeland, then hurry back home. Could this be the best Pastels product since "Up for a Bit" or "Suck on This", probably no says the purist, but let me rewind Song #2 (which can be found on Kid Loco DJ Kicks album) and Play Remote Stars Climb until we all fall asleep on the couch. California 2001, or California 1964 ?

when i first heard this cd I thought it was being sung by a 12 year old kid, albeit a very talented and sensitive 12 year old. cut #3 reminded me of my own childhood feelings. The 'aloneness' and wonder i felt while lying out on the lawn gazing up at the stars, projecting...out. Well at least one song did. As I listened more to illuminata, I found it had various textures. some appealed to me more than others, but none were out of sync with the vibe they had created. A stargazing, lush childlike creation. How fragile and small and amazing are we all.

There are a lot of very clever and talented musicians on this - unfortunately, none of them are The Pastels. The remixers art has rendered the artist whose actually being remixed irrelevant - which when it come to The Pastels can only be a good thing. The most puzzling thing about this CD is why genuinely talented artists like Jim O'Rourke and Kevin Shields should waste their time with an indie dinosaur like The Pastels - I suppose the alchemical urge to turn base metal into gold must have been too strong.

This is listenable, which is major advance for The Pastels, unfortunately there's still too much of Stephen's bronchial moose vocals and 40 year old adolescent whining for my liking.