Search - Feist :: The Reminder [Deluxe Edition]

Bonus CD Disappointing & Probably Unessential For Feist Newb

humanista | CA, Bay Area | 04/09/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is not a review for the regular album (since you can read that from the other countless reviews), but rather for the bonus disc.

I purchased this "Deluxe" edition for the extra tracks and have mixed feelings about it. If you're a Feist aficionado and don't have the regular album, then this might be worth the couple extra bucks. But if you already have the album, this might be a waste of extra dollars for the extra disc. My final impression after listening to the bonus disc is that it felt like the record company was trying to milk a couple extra dollars from fans.





Unlike "Open Season," I highly doubt Leslie Feist had much of a hand in the shaping of the remix work, which ranged from mediocre to awful. On the upside, the collaborative works were much stronger. But whereas Open Season left a punch in the remix production and selection of acoustic renderings (such as the live mix of Inside+Out, which arguably is just as good if not better than the album version), this bonus disc leaves you wondering whether the disc will end up on the shelf collecting dust.

Despite the disappointing remix production, the bonus disc still might hold some gems for aficionados. The standout will most probably be Islands in the Stream with the Constantines. Other better tracks on this bonus disc may be good, but only in comparison to the rest of the tracks, not to Leslie's body of works. For music aficionados, this bonus disc might still serve useful in providing a different flavor if you need a dance mix for a party to change the tempo or give another Feist fan friend another flavor of Leslie's voice.





1. I Feel It All (Escort Remix)

3-1/2 stars. One of the better mixes. Straightforward with

an uptempo beat that might be fun for a dance hall rock out.

2. Sealion (Chromeo Remix)

3-1/2 stars. Also a better mix. Straightforward mix with a retro disco

beat and feel but will probably be dated.

3. My Moon My Man (Boys Noize Classic Mix)

2 stars. This techno club mix tries to be a little more ambitious by

adding some haunting synths but ultimately fails as the electronic

distortion of the chorus line and title "My Moon My Man" becomes

irritating and dated within a couple of listens. Feels like a cheesy

vocal distortion my students would use, but definitely not by my

talented students.

4. 1234 (Van She Remix)

1-1/2 stars. Even more awful than the last mix with a juvenile tempo

and lots of irritating synths. Totally butchers this song. I think

Leslie would cringe at this mix too. I would fire who ever commissioned

this mix.

5. Fightin' Away The Tears - with Mocky

3-1/2 to 4 stars. A contemplative and moody song that works well with

Leslie's voice. Not too sure about Mocky's rapping though, thus the

3-1/2. The video is more enjoyable though.

6. So Sorry (One Mic Mix)

3-1/2. According to Editorial Reviews on Amazon, this is a one-take

demo version, which is pretty identical to the vocals on the album

version so there is nothing new to experience in Leslie's voice here.

7. My Moon My Man (Grizzly Bear Remix)

3 stars. A mediocre mix but more tolerable than the Boys Noize

Classic Mix and might be okay to pull out of the bag for a party mix,

but only for variety.

8. Lover's Spit (Redux) - Broken Social Scene

3-1/2 to 4 stars. Very contemplative and fits well with what Leslie is

able to evoke emotionally with her voice. But you will need to be in a

certain mood to enjoy this track, otherwise, it will border on being

too long, slow, and repetitive, as it falls flat on a few spots.

9. Islands In The Stream - with Constantines

4 stars. This is the standout track of the disc. The Constantines'

lead vocalist's baritone harmonizes well with Leslie's voice and both

execute a similar soft, breathy, subtle vocal rendering that matches

each other in style without falling flat.

10. Videos - My Moon My Man, 1234 (Director's Version), I Feel It All,

Honey Honey

-Videos are nice but not greatest quality because they're compressed

for enhanced CD-Rom format."