Gotye - Mixed Blood
(2007)

Review by Toby Hillard
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Now, the very essence of a Remix album is a flawed one. The theory being that an album is so popular, the record companies feel a re jigged version of it will double the income - at half the production costs. But...well, why mess with perfection? Gotye's latest shows exactly why (and why not) Remix Albums deserve their place on the CD shelves.

2006's breakout album was without doubt Melbourne based musician, Gotye's (aka Wally De Backer) sophomore effort "Like Drawing Blood". While it was far from perfect (which is what the hype and critics have morphed opinion of it to be), it was a very strong release, with only a few tracks that missed the mark - or couldn't live up to the expectations of the albums bigger hits. So of course someone thought it would be a worthwhile to ride the wave of success and remix some of the better tracks.

Thus, it was with hesitance that I approached "Mixed Blood", especially when it was pointed out to me that there was not one - but but three - remixes of Hearts A Mess (which is without doubt, all hype aside, one of the best ballads of the new millennium). Surely, if you were Gotye, you're one rule would be "Don't mess with Hearts A Mess". Obviously not.

So the question remains - is it any good? The answer, surprisingly, is - yeah, it's Ok.

Joe Hardy's opening remix of Hearts A Mess is without doubt, the stand out track on offer here. As the story goes, the 3am Remix was recorded late one night after Wally returned, fresh off a plane, from a tri-state tour with The Basics. The key to it's success is that it doesn't stray to far from the original, while still giving it a new life (albeit a much more relaxed, stripped back and mellowed out one). Having listened to both versions, it's hard to pick out a favourite, but surely the original would have to win out by a whisker.

And what of the other two Hearts remixes? Well, the original is just such a good track, it's pretty hard to mess up. Both DLake and Duosseudo opt for a more up tempo interpretation with varied results - DLake probably doing the better job of the two.

Bass Kleph murders Learnalilgivinanlovin, which he must have worked hard at - because the original is a catchy song handed on a platter. Perhaps Bass Kleph should have taken a leave from Hardy and kept in mind that 'Less is More'.

From there it's a bit of a mixed bag, of enjoyable - to barely passable. The major problem being that most of the remixes have turned the songs into soothing, yet largely forgettable, tracks. Only the strength of the 'Reinvented' Worn Out really seems to make an effort to thrive and shine.

We can't look past the absolutely pathetic Karnivool cover of The Only Way. I'm just not sure what De Backer was thinking there. Perhaps the idea was to release it as a single to pull in a new crowd - which is fine - but it's the only one of it's kind on Mixed Blood and really disrupts what is an otherwise consistent and enjoyable experience.

"Didn't you mention you were going to tell us why a remix album deserves to be put on the shelves?" I hear you think aloud. Yes, as a matter of fact I did.

For all the troubles there are here (and I only say they are problems when compared to the near perfection of the original material) there is at least one glimmering hope. One shining light that proves that not all remixes belong as a B-Side on an early 90's single.

ENS' take on Puzzle With A Piece Missing is nothing short of sublime, it really is. It, as strange as it is to say, better than the original - which can only be cemented by the fact that Gotye played the ENS version during his recent spate of live show (and don't be surprised if he gives it a run later in the year at the much anticipated 2007 Falls Festival). It's a triumph.

So while I'm not utterly convinced that an album of remixes should have been given a run in lieu of a new album - there are some pretty impressive moments on offer here. But a whole album might be pushing it.

This will be the first and last time you hear this from me - but perhaps artists of the world should just take a leaf out of TV Rock's book and just choose the best remix to release as a one-off special.

Good but not great, Interesting but not astounding, remixed but not re-mastered.

ALBUM RATING: 3 out of 5

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