Customer Reviews

Remixes 81-04

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a one disc set of a slimmed down version of the three-disc remix set which is available for a lot more money.

It is difficult to remix Depeche Mode when they have such great songs to begin with. So I find it hard to add anything new to the originals to make them seem better.

Some of the beats are okay and some remixes work better than others. The list price is way too much for what you get.

Overall though, you'd be much better starting with the individual albums themselves.

The members of Depeche Mode know what they're doing. Most, if not all, of their songs are perfectly produced and it's difficult to improve on them (that means you, Marilyn Manson.) There are some really good remixes on the 3 CDs. These are the mixes that don't put in stuff just because they can - they're clean and simple but add another level to the song (the Air remix to "Home" and "World in My Eyes (Mode To Joy)" are the two best.) Most of the mixes, however, are just the same remixes that I wouldn't even listen to in a club - they're overworked and tired. Skip the remixes and get the originals.

This album is great. It's got everything from very dark electronic remixes (In Your Room / Useless) to more cinematic tracks (Never Let Me Down Again / Enjoy The Silence) to more dance oriented tracks (Barrel of a Gun / Route 66 / Halo). But I write this review for one reason only. Say what you will about Linkin Park as a band, the Mike Shinoda reinterpretation of "Enjoy The Silence" is absolutely incredible. I would buy this album for that song alone. Take a listen, you'll see what I mean. The song has as much power now as it did when first released but totally sounds modern and epic. Forget Korn's cover of "Word Up", I mean, was anyone ever really a Cameo fan? Depeche Mode is as timeless now in remixed state as they are on their old albums. Check this and the singles discs they released. Lots of great stuff from a great band. Enjoy!

I haven't been a big follower of Depeche Mode. I like what I've heard so far though. I actually got this CD because of the bands doing the remixes. They did an awesome job; just like I thought they would. The Francois Kevorkian remix of Personal Jesus has great snapping beats and really moves along. I've been a big fan of Goldfrapp for awhile and their Halo remix is very reminiscent of their first album. It has an enchanted-forest-like feel. This CD is just fun and really makes you feel like dancing. A high recommendation.

Your need to own this CD will depend on your tolerance for remixes and your desire to possess all things modal. Ranging from inspired to wretched, "Remixes 81-04" (even if it stops with "Ultra") has its moments. There are moments that the mixers actually catch the atmosphere of the song (Portishead with Johnny Dollar fare the best, on "In Your Room"), and the worst is when Underworld tries to claim that they remix "Barrel of a Gun." Sampling a snippet of vocal and putting it over a droning machine doesn't make for art.

On the other hand, "Route 66" gets a joyous romp courtesy of the Beat Masters ("Personal Jesus" gets a similar treatment). Using a jazzier arrangement and clever drop ins, it is one of this compilation's highlights. Goldfripp, who doesn't make dance hash out of "Halo," even manages to improve a great song.

"Remixes" functions as a quasi greatest hits, with extended versions of a few popular favorites. But frankly, if you don't have either for the "Singles" collections, they are a far better choice than this. For that matter, so are the majority of the Depeche Mode maxi-singles, most of which are still available.

I agree - if you don't like electronica or dance, you will probably hate this CD (I have not heard the entire 3-CD set, just the 1 CD version). But, if you hate that type of music, I would be surprised by the fact that you liked DM. I thoroughly enjoyed this CD, even more than I thought I would. I have a mixed tolerance for remixes so I was not sure I would like the CD. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the range that I heard on the CD (even if it was all electronic). I was espcially blown away by "Halo" and "Enjoy the Silence." Like another reviewer, I agree that "Barrel of a Gun" is positively hideous but that song serves as the exception not the rule for this CD. "Route 66" and "Just Can't Get Enough" are wonderful throw backs to the originals. Unlike one reviewer who felt that these remixes were simply extended versions of the originals, I would disagree in several places ("In Your Room" is a fantastic example of a completely reworked song.) I too would like to have seen something after Ultra on this album but I suppose that is simply more incentive to buy the larger CD compilation.

Depeche Mode has always been open to remixes, from their early singles, when a "remix" was little more than extension to keep people on the dancefloor for a few more minutes. On their retrospective, _Remixes 81-04_, they encompass the whole spectrum of mixes from throughout their entire career.

Certainly, this collection has good represention from almost all of their albums, rather than simply their more popular ones. Although one could quibble with the selections (why a 2nd Francois Kevorkian remix with "Policy of Truth" rather than the KLF mix? why not one of the Orb remixes of "World in My Eyes"), there's a breadth of these mixes that can be surprising. The harsh dub-industrial of Adrian Sherwood's "Are People People?," for example, or the quasi-Western of Johnny Dollar and Portishead's take on "In Your Room" contrast to the mellow stoner vibe of Kruder & Dorfmeister's "Useless" or the dreaminess of Air's "Home."

House mixes seem to be most prominent -- which makes sense, considering that Depeche Mode has always had one eye on the dancefloor. These tracks range from the straightforward club tracks like Danny Tenaglia's "I "Feel Loved" and Club 69's version of "It's No Good" to the straight up beats of Chamber's take on "I Feel Loved."

What makes this triple album most interesting, however, are the new mixes. Timo Maas creates a surprisingly relaxed version of the worldwide hit "Enjoy the Silence," while Colder takes "Clean" into a dark 80s wonderland. LFO make "Lie To Me" eerie and robotic. Fans of rock music who might otherwise eschew Depeche Mode altogether might be intrigued by Headcleanr's grungy take on "Nothing" or Mike Shinoda's raucous version of "Enjoy the Silence."

But my money's on two particular tracks. First, Ulrich Schnauss takes the bildungsroman "Little 15" and imparts it with his usual flair which moves from baroque iciness into dreamy ambience with grace to spare. Goldfrapp, moving away from the uptempo disco of their own work, modify "Halo" into a music box fantasia (punctuated by Alison's breathy vocals) that could have come off _Felt Mountain_ -- high praise indeed. Those tracks are perfect examples of how remixes can utterly transform the familiar. Depeche Mode knew this, of course, and now you can hear it for yourself.

This album takes many great DP hits to the techno club. If you like Depeche Mode and you like electronica, you'll love this album.

Members
Dave Gahan
Martin Gore
Andrew Fletcher

Former members
Vince Clarke
Alan Wilder

This remix album is absolutely amazing! The vocals and keyboards mix very well to create some dark yet danceable songs.

This is a five star album

I've been a huge fan since the 80's and this CD puts a new spin on all their great hits. "Enjoy the Silence" is one of my favorites and although I never tire of the original version, the remix is awesome. I'd recommend adding this one to your collection...