Customer Reviews

Renovating Diverse City

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This new remix album is awesome man. This is one area in music that Christian music usually can't do very well at all. Remixing music. I've heard other christian artists try and remix there music and it alomst always sucks. Except for Toby. When he puts a remix album out you can better believe it will be remixed. There's some freaken awesome songs on this album. Almost better then the original. Actually, the only one I think is better then the original is Ill-M-I(dutch Rmeix). Some other really good ones are the remixed version of The Slam, Burn for You , Gone, Catchafire, and Atmosphere. And of course, the remix of Phenomenon is freaken awesome. This is a really good album....

This is a Song By Song review of Renovating Diverse City.

Getaway Car (Jazzadelic FreeMix): This song is hard to tell apart the original one.

The Slam (d Dubb Remix): OK.

Diverse City (Club-a-dub Remix): This Great song brings back memories of John Travolta, and Leisure Suits.

Burn For You (Shortwave Radio Mix): This is the way original should have been done.

Hey Now (d Dubb Remix): Good.

Phenomenon (Blanco e Chegro Mix): Greatest song on the whole album. You can't help but dancing. :)

Gone (Long Gone Remix): Excellent Beat.

inTRUding Again: Great Burb.

Catachafire (White Rabbit Mix): Great beat but very wierd song.

ILL-M-I (Dutch Mix): OK

Atmosphere (Ambiente Mix): Has a wierd latino feel.

West Coast Kid featuring Paul Wright: Great duo with Mr. Wright.

Burn For You (Cat Paw Remix): Could have done better.

Overall this album is better then the non-remix album.

A few years ago in 2001, the members of dc Talk decided to go solo, which had Toby Mckeehan (p.k.a. TobyMac) releasing his scarily popular debut album "Momentum". The popularity seemed to go over like a wave...suddenly, everyone was in love with it. The next year, it was decided that "RE:mix Momentum" would be released; an album with remixes of almost all the songs from "Momentum". Later in 2004, Toby returned with the absolutely brilliant "Welcome To Diverse City", which was getting rave reviews and huge popularity (it's even better than Momentum, if that's possible). After a while, many fans (including myself) automatically began to think, "so, what about "Diverse City" remixes?". Obviasly, our expectations have been heard, and here we have "Renovating Diverse City". Well, let's be ready to see the how the music has been managed...

The Slam (David Wyatt): To my surprise, I actually really like this! It's not as loud/heavy as the original, but it's very nice! It has some very nice background vocals and piano. I honestly NEVER would have thought "The Slam" could have fallen under the category of "almost beautiful", but I guess that's what remixes are about; being different.

Getaway Car (Chris Stevens): For some reason, I never was really a huge fan of this song. I didn't even like this remix at first, but now when I think about it, I like it a lot better than the original! In some places, it's a bit heavier than the original, and in other places, a bit smoother. Not a huge stand-out track, but good enough for me.

Catchafire (Matt Bronleewe): I have always been a major fan of this song. I was so sure that this remix was going to be awful (which tends to happen on a lot of my favorite songs), but I guess it's pretty good! It has more of a dancable beat, and it has cool background effects. In some places the beat begins to remind me of Gwen Stefani's hit single "Rich Girl".

Burn For You (Chris Stevens): Alright, I really love this! I love the background vocals and the new sounds. This remix gives the song a much more mysterious feel, but it's still brilliant! I recommend this one. Very excellent! The album is starting to get much better now! Yep, it's on!

Hey Now (David Wyatt): This one is pretty excellent, in my opinion! The sound is very fun and bright. It's becoming hard for me to decide if I prefer the remix or the original.

Gone (Tedd T): I was actually pretty afraid this one would turn out pretty bad, and I'm afraid I was right. It has more of a Hip-Hop/Reggae feel. The idea is nice, but it didn't seem to work out. It can't touch the original. This is the only let down after the album gets good. But anyway, try the original instead.

Diverse City (Tedd T): I already loved the original, but I love the remix much better! It's VERY fun and dancable. It has much more of an old disco feel. This is a perfect pick-up after the previous track was a bit of a let-down. As far as I can tell, the CD is on again! I may have to warn you that this song is very addictive!

Ill-M-I (Doubledutch): To tell the truth, I've never really liked this song. It was a bit to weird for my taste. But the remix has given it a much better sound and feel! I'm liking it a lot!

Phenomenon (Max Hsu): In my opinion, the original and the remix are almost equally good. I like the way they made this version a bit faster and a bit more rocked out. The bass sounds awesome, the guitars are way cool, and the background vocals sound great (they sound like they're done by Kierra Kiki Sheard). As cool as this one is, I still think the original is the most phenomenal (no pun intended).

Atmosphere (Victor "Pete" Oquendo): Well, this is kind of good, though I'm afraid it just can't touch the original. It's nice and all, but it just doesn't have that same "wow" effect. It's alright, but I highly recommend going for the original.

Burn For You (math remix - bonus track): This one sounds a bit more like the original. It's very good, and it turns the CD back on just in time for the end. However, I like the other remix just a little better.

So, did the songs find their way into the hands of the right remixers? Mostly yes, but just a little bit of no. I actually have enjoyed this album very much, and might even like to buy sometime. Here's my number 1 opinion: Not as good as "Welcome To Diverse City", but better than the "Momentum" remixes.

I LOVE this cd. I preordered it and couldn't wait to get it. I was impressed with the first time I played it, and the more I play it, the better I like it. This is exactly what a remix should be, changing up some of the old elements with new energy and little surprises. I was way more impressed with this that I was the first time I listened to Re:Mix Momentum, toby's first remix project.

Welcome to Diverse City, the original cd these songs come from, will never grow stale with me. And this Remix does not surpass it, I didn't expect it to. But it rocks, just the same.

BOOM here we go again. this is actually a Remix of my original first impression review... what a novel concept ;o)

I was excited to hear the new ways the songs are mixed. I heard my 13yo daughter and myself saying, Oh that's cool, and Oh I like that.


These songs may not be as "good" as the originals, but that's just fine. As I was listening to them, and missing some of the elements of the originals, it occurs to me. Some of the dominating features of the originals have now been softened, and other features or new features dominate. Is this a problem? Well, here's my opinion. I got to hear things that have become background music to me in a whole new way. I got to listen with new ears, and pick up messages I may have missed in the old songs.

I highly appreciate the time and effort it took to put out this CD. Being artistic, I can't help but wonder how much heart and soul went into this, all for the glory of God. I am no music snob, I don't claim to be an expert on anything. But this CD has heart.


Comments on specific songs:

1. Getaway Car.... like it. wasn't crazy for the original one for a long time. it's funky, kinda reminds me of C.H.I.P.S.

2. The Slam... i'm liking T-Bone...the backup vocals are okay...much softer than the original.. this is becoming one of my favorites, especially the beginning...

3. Diverse City is more techno if you're into that. it's hard to compare it to the original, which was perfection.

4. Burn For You... aww finally.. a newer version i like better. wasn't crazy for the original, so this excites me. but i get easily excited :o) i like the strings in it. i miss the bunny on the screen, the best part of the original for me.

5. Hey Now.. I don't think they can make a bad version of this song. I LOVE SHONLOCK... what more can i say? is that Gabe on the beatbox?? yeah i don't love it as much as the original, but i still love it.

6. Phenomenon...i was worried about this one, it seemed so "old" to be remixed again, but i like that it's so different than the original... like the acoustic guitar in it... a whole new feel....

7. Gone... I really didn't think I was going to like this. Too slow. That's what i got from the sample clip on the ecard... But the thing that strikes me the most about this is that it's Beatles-esque. KooKooKachoo!!!!!

8. inTRUding Again.. ya gotta love it. BAAA to the trudog haters. i love the chorus. the oldschool is sooo great. i can't stop smiling during this song. 'nuff said.

9. Catchafire.... i knew i would like this one from the sample.... love the pimpin bass and the brass.... i like the whole different array of sounds, how they kept the best of the old and gave it new flavor. .it ROCKS. and i love the way they put MOC on the end instead of in the beginning, way to mix it up.

10. ILL-M-I miss the boomin drum on this one.. and part of the background chorus .. ain't as funky as the original... but it's still good.

11. Atmosphere.. hmmmm not big on the whole spanish thing. but that's not an indicator that it's bad, just that i should learn some spanish LOL. the background vocals/harmonies really are beautiful.

12. West Coast Kid... it's new to me and i LOVE IT. even if i don't know that much about the original release of it.

13. Burn For You (catpaw)... nice slow ride in the intro...i like this too... did you expect me not to? where the heck is the bunny???
the transition is weird, almost migraine-inducing the first time LOL, but after a few plays, i come to look forward to that part.
aww the BUNNY.... there he is YAY!!!!! the end picks back up nice.... the very, very end is awesome LOL... you got to hang on for the hidden track......

so um yeah, when we gonna get a live dvd toby?? if you haven't seen toby LIVE, you haven't LIVED :o)

I love TobyMac...this is my first tobymac record but i have been listening to toby since the beginning of DcTalk. He is awesome. The album is probably his best. It just brings out the best of toby and his musik. If you havent heard this album yet you need to....dont forget to check out his awesome website...tobymac.com

I love the cd it is so awesome if you guys have not yet heard it then you guys are missing out if you are all into a good rythm get this cd it is uplifting and i think everyone would love it. Even if you dont like this kind of music you can still buy it for a friend or someone else get that cd and spread the world peace out Jesus Christ loves ya allz.

With Welcome to Diverse City as one of my favorite CD's of all time, this remix version of it just makes the songs all the more fun to listen to! His Momentum Remix CD was really good, but I think this one is even better! You just gotta love TobyMac!

Wow! There is definately no stopping this man! Toby's new album Renovating Diverse City is hot! He's got all styles on this disc. If you like Jazz, you'll be happy with this. If you like hard core stuff, youll find it on this lil white disc. If you like latin style you wont believe it, but you'll find it here too!!! This is a must-get for toby fans!!!

Hey to all the Toby Mac fans out there! I love Toby's cd Diverse City! It really speaks out about different colors of skin and different types of people!Thank you Toby Mac for speaking out against that! I have really been affected by this cd! All you people out there have to get this cool cd!!

Renovating is an awesome cd is better then the simple one, it has all kinds of remixes is the best yet, so get it is down to earth. I give this cd a 5