Written
for Skyscraper
(unpublished)
Astralwerks manage a broad and
talented catalog, so it’s surprising that this compilation
isn’t as whipsmart as you’d expect. Rarewerks II certainly
showcases a broad array of genres—rock, electronica, hip-hop,
dance—but it’s a little too calculating for it’s
own good. The label’s heavyweights open the disk, but the
Chemical Brothers remix of Fatboy Slim’s “Song For
Shelter” seems uninspired and even a bit stodgy: remix by
numbers. Never mind. Just makes “Dim’s Jazz”
by Dimitri from Paris sound all the more sophisticated. And fortunately
Daft Punk redeem the Chems with their remix of “Life Is
Sweet,” which proves a joy to the ears. The Doves track
“Crunch” is a particularly astute selection, too,
since it was actually recorded when the band still played as Sub
Sub, serving as a suitable mile marker for their renowned transition
from dance to rock. Unfortunately, the rest of the groups here
aren’t represented so effectively. Playgroup’s “Number
One” would’ve been better offered in its original
form rather than the Felix Da Housecat remix found here, which
strips most of the Princely sex ‘n’ sass out of it.
Even great bands like Air and Basement Jaxx sound a little stale,
perhaps because in their stated effort to serve up tracks that
are harder to find (usually vinyl and DJ-only pressings), Astralwerks
has served up some inferior material, too.
Official
site
Robert Stribley
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