Categories : Folk + Roots, Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 2.5 / 5 Reviewer: David Coats |
Christmas 2008 actually came in May 2007 for Arts & Crafts, with the release of Feist’s The Reminder. Capitalizing on its runaway success, the label has repackaged it with a bonus disc and reintroduced it to the marketplace. There is probably nothing left to be said for the first disc – The Reminder is a damn-near perfect record without a single misstep, deserves to be considered one of the best Canadian records ever made, and Feist deserves every accolade she received for it.
The second disc contains a handful of Feist-related rarities, remixes of Reminder material, and the uniquely compelling videos from The Reminder’s four singles. There are two significant highlights of this package – the inclusion of Broken Social Scene rarity (albeit previously released on Bee Hives) ‘Lover’s Spit,’ and the inclusion of ‘Islands In The Stream’ (there’s something about Feist and Bee Gees songs…) recorded earlier this year with Canadian indie-rock veterans Constantines, which stands up as one of 2008’s best songs, and which is worth the sticker price on its own.
Otherwise, what you’re getting is what you’d expect from a remix release – a basically unnecessary collection of mostly electronic reinterpretations of songs that demonstrate versatility, but little of the heart of the originals. The most successful is probably the remix of ‘Sealion’ done by respected Montreal DJs Chromeo, which is given a powerful makeover, but can’t compare to the original’s organic charm. Two club-ready versions of ‘My Moon My Man’ are offered, but ironically, neither carries the danceable presence of the original. Also included is a ‘So Sorry’ demo recorded on one mic, which could have filled the role the brilliant Apostle Of Hustle version of ‘Inside + Out’ played for Feist’s 2006 remix effort, Open Season, except that the original was recorded in similar fashion anyway, and the minimal differences don’t warrant a new version.
If you’re missing ‘Islands In The Stream,’ ‘Lover’s Spit,’ or the first disc, track them down immediately. Otherwise, this package isn’t essential.
