Dave Cordes needs to listen to the album again. The point of R3C0NF1GUR3D was not to sound like Daft Punk or try to outdo their work. An attempt like that would be preposterous.
I don't know if Cordes listens to a lot of remix material, or the groups or artists on this album, but I know that I do. Probably over 80% of the music I listen to is in the electronica/remix genre. This is exactly what I expected this album would sound like when it was announced, and this is exactly what electronic music is all about: taking stems of the masterworks and making them your own.
I expected it to be like sitting in Caster's club when DJ's other than Daft Punk were in the booth mixing the soundtrack music, and that's what I got! I think what Cordes may have missed is that you should expect each track to sound like the style of the artist who remixed it.
1. Derezzed (Remixed by The Glitch Mob)
Fantastic bass line that will definitely drop the floor in the club. And it adds more power to an already powerful track. And the use of DP's original composition in the intro and in in the breaks is awesome. Nicely interpreted track by the boys in the Glitch Mob.
2. Fall (Remixed by M83 VS Big Black Delta)
Being a big fan of the works of M83, I was not surprised by this track at all. In fact, I was delightfully impressed by its originality. This would fit in perfectly with anything M83 has ever done, yet would fit in with many of Daft Punk's deeper tracks. That's exactly how it should be.
3. The Grid (Remixed by The Crystal Method)
The Crystal Method are experts at delivering intense beats, mystique, edge, breaking rhythm, and power to their music, and they do not disappoint here. They even referenced their own music with the "You've got it" line ever so prevalent in 'High Roller'. I love it when electronic musicians find a way to reference their own work.
4. Adagio for TRON (Remixed by Teddybears)
Raw electricity...from an Adagio! In music terminology adagio is to be played slowly. But that doesn't mean it can't pack a punch. This track does so well in mixing up the original that I forgot what the original sounded like until I went back and listened to it. Dp's original is a fantastic orchestral adagio. This track is a fantastic way to make it club-able. They even took the organ line from the original and put it in a dance organ pad.
5. The Son of Flynn (Remixed by Ki:Theory)
Daft Punk's numeric, digitized, electronic lines of the original meet the only style I think they should meet: Rock! We've heard Daft Punk mix their own robotic, drop-d tuning rock, and this just says "hey, we should do that again".
6. C.L.U. (Remixed by Paul Oakenfold)
I'll be honest, as a huge fan of Oakenfold, I was looking for something a bit more like his style, and less Hans Zimmer's. But, Oakenfold has been working with Hans on a bunch of projects recently, so it isn't too surprising. To me this track has less layers and rhythmic quality than I am used to from perfecto. Nonetheless, its a good listen.
7. The Son of Flynn (Remixed by Moby)
Again, I expected something different from Moby, more in line with his soft, jazz and downtempo moments. But again, the original soundtrack has a lot of qualities in line with Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard's compositional styles, and perhaps Moby and Oakenfold wanted to interpret that aspect more than the rave and breakbeat inspired influences in the soundtrack. Which I am totally cool with.
8. End of Line (Remixed by Boys Noize)
When Caster requests a trance mix of "End of Line", this is what the DJ would play. This is a great mix, and is sure to end up on future trance and electronic music compilations. I love that they sped up the tempo but kept a very heavy, hair raising original track at a similar power level.
9. Rinzler (Remixed by Kaskade)
What more can you expect from the masters of Kaskade? This track is excellent! Likely to be played in all kinds of places, including my workout playlist. It naturally increases your blood pressure, so consult a doctor before listening and don't listen to it if you are prone to heart disease.
10. Encom Part 2 (Remixed by Com Truise)
Retro. This mix sounds like it could have been done by Kraftwerk. I was almost waiting for some German lyrics to arrive. It's not as driving as some of the other tracks, and is very 80's-ish with 8 bit sounding synth pads. But it does something unexpected at the end. (Spoiler: at the end it wipes clean of the synths, and goes orchestral. I love it when electronic musicians blend rock/techno beats with an orchestra. I wish it would have done it for a longer duration.)
11. End of Line (Remixed by Photek)
If there is a track that nearly beats the original (but, like I said, they shouldn't be expected to and would be shameful if they did), this is the one. Reverbed drum tracks, a heavy tempo like the original, and a hyper synth riff atop all of those digits combine to make a great track very reminiscent of the 80's and groups like Depeche Mode, genres like industrial and synthpop. (could mix in well with the last minutes of Frans Ferdinand's industrial showstopper remix of "Lucid Dreams" if anyone wants to try. With the intro of the next track, you could keep the beat going.)
12. Arena (Remixed by The Japanese Popstars)
A good intro lends the ability of this track to get mixed in to just about any performance. And who wouldn't want this as part of their set? The breaks, with Safri-duo like drums, leads to the progressive inspired run that takes you on a fun, elecTRONic ride that never wants to slow, end, or stop repeating, building louder and stronger until the breakdown at the end. All while incorporating the originality and excitement of what should be the Arena track from the motion picture.
13. Derezzed (Remixed by Avicii)
Admittedly poppy, but very danceable, this track would mixes in with ease like a Tiesto track would. Frequently, electronic music takes on a more angry feel or minor tonality, but the major tone of this track, and its highly pixelated throbbing electronic rhythms give 'derezzing' a different perspective than the one that opened up the album.
14. Solar Sailer (Remixed by Pretty Lights)
I instantly loved the sound of Solar Sailer on the original soundtrack. Taking after award winning electronic video game soundtracks like Deus Ex, DP did themselves many favors. The remixer on this track simply adds to that, adding a bit more rock, electro, and breakbeats edge and influence to it. I can almost hear an artist like Aaron Behrens screaming some awesome lyrics above it. Maybe an idea for a future mashup?
15. TRON Legacy (End Titles) (Remixed by Sander Kleinenberg)
The Original End Titles track on the soundtrack was amazing, with its Vangelis inspired theme, is one that should only be carefully dealt with. In any other track that I have heard remix a Vangelis theme, it is common that the theme is allowed to stand on its own (the remixer will tear down everything else). Nothing is different here, and the added beats give it a drive worthy of its end title name. Some of the first movie soundtrack quotations and references in electronic music were of Vangelis's Blade Runner soundtrack, and they included lines from the move, mixed and hashed up. Kleinenberg obviously wanted to represent that type of artwork here in this remix that is very well done. The original track definitely stands on its own, but when it finishes, I'll be sure it is followed up with this one.