Customer Reviews

Silent Alarm Remixed

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Most remix projects are a mixed bag, and this is no exception. The concept here is that these remixes follow the order of Bloc Party's deservedly well-received debut album, but the concept only works so well as some songs probably don't deserve a remix treatment, while others ("So Here We Are" and "This Modern Love" for example) could easily benefit from two or three remixes. A minor quibble, but there you are. As far as the tracks themselves, "Like Eating Glass (Ladytron Zapatista mix)" includes a nice rythymic treatment but buries the vocal; "Helicopter (Whitney version)" is ok but breaks no new ground; and "Positive Tension (Blackbox remix)" is a highlight that successfully redefines this track. Again, "Banquet (Phones Disco Edit)" doesn't really do much to redefine the original, while "This Modern Love (Dave P & Adam Sparkle's mix)" adds definite sparkle to one of the highlights of the debut album. "The Pioneers (M83 Remix)" is a waste of M83's apparent talents, the track goes no where slowly. "So Here We Are (Four Tet Remix)" is probably the standout track on both the debut and this remix version. On the bonus CD, "Plans (acoustic)" strips the track of much of Bloc Party's sonic anger and, reminiscent of The Jam's "That's Entertainment," shows a shimmering beauty below the tension.

The disc itself is great but I was really hoping to get 'Always New Depths', as it is listed in Disc 2 of the Track Listing above. Much to my displeasure, ONLY THE MAIN DISC was included in my CD case.

It is listed one (1) disc in the Product Description (they sent what was promised), but then two (2) discs are listed in the Track Listing, so DON'T BE FOOLED. The fine print says the bonus disc is included for the first 15,000 sold. D'oh.

Most of us are rightly leery of remixes, especially of excellent albums like Silent Alarm. But in this case if you really listen to the remix (especially if you do so before hearing the original, like I did), you'll find it offers greater depth and listening rewards. You pick up new subtleties each time you hear it. You can experience the marvellous laid-back satisfaction of extended versions of most tracks; for example: eight wonderful minutes of the superb "She's Hearing Voices", a longer, more intense and dancier version of "Helicopter", and an even catchier version of "Price of Gas". Anyone who dismisses this remix is guilty of a short attention span. Granted, one or two of the remixed tracks are a bit off, but overall it stands on its own as a brilliant alternative to a brilliant original.

After the mediocre Le Tigre remix album earlier in the month comes proof that not all such releases are barrel-scraping voyages through monotony. Although pipped in the quest for the Mercury Music Award by the cross-dressing Antony And The Johnsons, Bloc Party show there's still plenty of life in their successful debut Silent Alarm. Remixed by their favourite bands such as Pretty Girls Makes Graves, Mogwai and Death From Above 1979 as well as production maestros closer to the dance spectrum such as Whitey, Four Tet and Erol Alkan, Silent Alarm Remixed shrugs of indulgence in favour of reinvention. Although Bloc Party songs are generally non-conformist when it comes to fitting the verse-chorus-verse aesthetic, it would appear that this gives the Silent Alarm remix elves more options when it comes to sculpting new creations. Ladytron offer a subdued vocal take on their Camden compatriots' track Like Eating Glass before Whitey's awesome take on Helicopter transforms the former single into a howling lupine creation and Paul Epworth takes Banquet into more exciting territory than the original. Engineers bring a moody shoe-gazing feel to Blue Light and Erol Alkan completely dissects She's Hearing Voices and rebuilds the track around singer Kele Okereke's curiously perplexed shouts. M83's The Pioneers has an ominous and deathly air, Death From Above 1979 re-record Luno using their messed up synthesiser and furious drum techniques and Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner takes on Compliments, which further increases the hankering for new Yeah Yeah Yeahs material. Not wishing to be outdone, Bloc Party return in an uncut form to dish out new track Two Years as the unlisted final track on Silent Alarm Remixed. A tired yet mature new direction built around a skipping guitar, Two Years neatly finalises an album that proves remix releases need not be a journey into fan fleecing. My compliments, boys.

If you are fan of bloc party you will like this CD. New fans should buy the orginal un-remixed version

I thought Silent Alarm was a great cd when it first came out, and this Remixes album adds a whole new dimension on those favorite songs. I also love the addition of Tulips (Minotaur Shock Remix), which follows the Compliments remix. Great overall.

Am I the only one who even knows about the song 'Always New Depths?'

Seriously.


Music is all a matter of opinion, and in my opinion, its most certainly their best song.

Have a listen.

You can never have enough Bloc Party. Their album was one of my favorites of the past year. Many thought it was the album of the year. They are an exciting and energetic band. They are constantly being played at clubs. This comes out about the same time as Death From Above 1979. Vice seems to like to come out with these remixes, that you only ever hear at clubs, or they are included as B-sides, but rarely as a whole album, so soon. Some of the hits are here such as "Like Eating Glass" and "Helicopter" and of course "Banquet." The choice of remix artists is odd too. You have Ladytron, DFA 1979, and M83. But you also have ones by Four Tet, Mogwai, and Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Pretty Girls Makes Graves is on here too. The DFA 1979 version of "Luno" is not so much a remix as a recreation. This is a great album to play to friends and figure out who is who.

A collection of overly-similar but mostly disinteresting remixes. The original rocks, this one rocks you to sleep.

It's not very often where an entire remix album can stand up on its own and be something for more than the club, but this CD is just as solid as the original. Erol Alkan's remix is the closest to a club track on the album and that's a stretch.
[...]
There's a hidden 14th track, which is a remix of Tulips.