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Review: Jack Foley
GERMAN artist Schneider TM, aka Dirk Dresselhaus, is on something
of a role at the moment.
Having released two albums and a handful of singles, the remixer
has become progressively more sought after by people seeking to
give their material a makeover.
Hailing from Berlin, Dresselhaus cites his influences as The
Velvet Underground, Sonic Youth, Sun Ra and Aphex Twin, while
one of his favourite albums is Neil Young's 1982 effort, Trans,
which was almost solely down through a vocoder.
Needless to say, there is a smattering of each of these influences
(and more) on his third album, Reconfigures, which, as
its title suggests, is a collection of remixes for artists ranging
from Lamb and Ruby, through to Phillip Boa & The Voodooclub
and the Turtle Bay Country Club.
And, for the most part, it's an entertaining reconfiguration
of sounds that either take tracks off on different directions,
or just spice them up with a few extra beats or vocal samples.
The vocoder is used extensively, while a slightly European electro-beat
is probably thrown in a little too often. But, on the whole, the
album works.
Highlights include a subtle makeover to Lamb's Wonder,
in a previously unreleased remix form, and the hip-hop flavoured
Heaven TM, by the Turtle Bay Country Club (featuring kptmichigan
vs rechenzentrum, feat marc marcovic).
Opening track, Suck or Run, by Pulseprogramming, even
conjures memories of Phoenix's recent Alphabetical
long-player, which bears many of the same European influences.
Reconfigures, however, works best when adopting a chill-out
pose, and loses out when it decides to go more upbeat.
It is in the latter category, that the album becomes a little
too repetitive, with the Faint's The Conductor a prime
example.
That said, there are funky moments, such as Eugene (Phillip
Boa and the Voodooclub), and the driving Noitare Def Cinos,
which sounds as though it belongs on a film soundtrack.
All of which serves to highlight the quirky eccentricities of
Schneider's 'dressed up' style, while also showing that he continues
to grow as an artist.
It's probably more of an acquired taste than most remix albums,
but for something which displays an uncanny knack for flitting
between touching and upbeat so effortlessly, it is well worth
recommending.
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Track listing:
1. Pulseprogramming
2. Margo
3. Lamb
4. Rechenzentrum
5. Turtle Bay Country Club
6. The Faint
7. Phillip Boa & The Voodooclub
8. Ruby
9. Lambchop
10. ALC Levora
11. Boss Hog
12. Turner
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