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Review: Jack Foley
THE Super Furry Animals were having a world of trouble in the
studio, explains Kurt Stern, before this particular executive
producer came into rescue them.
And so begins another cheerfully offbeat trip into the weird
world of the Super Furrys, who continue to innovate by remixing
their most recent album, Phantom
Power.
Phantom Phorce is a limited edition, two-disc CD that
boasts some terrific collaborations, with the likes of Weevil,
Killa Kela and Four Tet - to name but three.
It takes the form of a musical diary, if you will, outlined by
Stern by way of an introduction to each record.
And, for the most part, it works, only occasionally becoming
marred by the more extravagent artistic liberties it takes. But
given we're dealing with remixes, it is little wonder to find
that not everything works.
The opening moments, however, are undoubtedly the best, with
Mario Caldato Jnr providing a gloriously psychedelia-laced makeover
to Liberty Belle, and Weevil taking Hello Sunshine and,
dare I say, making it sound better than the original.
Killa Kela's take on Golden Retriever, which strips the
track of its distinctive guitars, in favour of some subtle beats,
and a gospel backing, is another small gem, running the original
close, despite sounding like a demo (at times).
It is concluded by an incredulous comment from Stern, who cannot
believe such a good track has been written about a dog...
"Why not lace up the clown shoes and point the rifle downward?"
he asks, by way of another example of the album's quirkiness.
And so the remixes keep on coming, with Wauvenfold supplying
a lush makeover to Sex, War and Robots, and Four Tet taking
The Piccolo Snare and really turning it into something memorable
and funky.
Throughout, the album retains the sun-drenched sound of the psychedelic
Sixties and Seventies, which is so prevelant on the original tracks,
while remaining careful not to overshadow the distinctive lyrical
style of lead singer, Gruff Rhys.
Hell, there is even a comic pop at other bands who have tried
to emulate the Beach Boys sound of late, by using the banjo.
In the words of Stern, the Super Furrys went for a 'Beach Boys'
wind chimes type of vocals', but ended up with the 'Electric Light
Orchestra's Mr Blue Sky, which wasn't bad for a first try'.
The track which results is a truly beguiling number, rife with
violin, which lends it a haunting quality.
Hats off to the Super Furry Animals again, though, for having
the balls to deliver a remix album that isn't content to rest
on its laurels, making it downright essential for the fans, as
well as a pretty safe bet for anyone who likes to find their music
more than a little challenging.
The Xfm Exposure/Third Place crowd will probably love it, and
we're huge fans.
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Track listing:
1. Hello Sunshine remixed by Weevil
2. Liberty Belle – remixed by Mario Caldato Jnr
3. Golden Retriever – remixed by Killa Kela
4. Sex , War And Robots – remixed by Wauvenfold
5. The Piccolo Snare – remixed by Four Tet
6. Venus + Serena – remixed by Massimo
7. Father, Father – remixed by Boom Bip
8. Bleed Forever - remixed by Bravecaptain
9. Out Of Control – remixed by Zan Lyons
10. Cityscape Skybaby – remixed by Minotaur Shock
11. Valet Parking - remixed by High Llamas
12. The Undefeated – remixed by Llwybr Llaethog
13. Slow Life – remixed by Sir Doufous Styles
14. Valet Parking – remixed by Force Unknown
15. Hello Sunshine – remixed by Freiband
Disc: 2
1. Slow Life – Super Furry Animals
2. Motherfokker – Sfa + Goldie Lookin Chain
3. Lost Control – Super Furry Animals
4. Re-Working Of Out Of Control
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