The Slips remix Phoenix
David Treahearn and Rob Haggett a.k.a. The Slips have been busy bees ever since I first heard of them nearly 2 years ago (read an interview from 2008 here). After years of working on other people’s records, they decided they wanted to strike out on their own, and kicked things off with the brilliant ‘This Time Is Not Your Own/Cadillac Crash’ single. They’ve never let up since that initial splash, and we’ve had a steady stream of genius singles ever since.
The pair have also had solid remix output, though they haven’t received the fanfare that many bedroom DJs have enjoyed. It’s honestly criminal, because they haven’t released one bad mix in all that time. They not only pay proper respect to the original tunes, they pay respect to the studio process (undoubtedly from all their years working with people like Mirwais, Fischerspooner, Massive Attack & New Order). In other words, these mixes actually *gasp* SOUND GOOD. Not just on tiny PC speakers, but on your home stereo or your car or even a massive club system. The DJs among you will appreciate the difference, as a poorly sourced and produced mix can be seriously jarring when DJing on a decent soundsystem.
They also happen to offer them up for free as high-quality mp3s on their website. You can’t argue with free. Their latest is a take on the new Phoenix single, ‘Lisztomania’. While you’re on their site, be sure to check out the remixes of Afghan Raiders and Let’s Go To War!
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Phoenix – Lisztomania (The Slips Remix)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Hmmm… that remix is a bit too ordinary for me, too close to a standard ‘Dance’ remix. The same with ‘Superbeat’.
The only ‘Lisztomania’ remix I’ve heard so far that I’m into is the Phantom Eyes one:
http://www.myspace.com/phantomeyes
or download here:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?k2rnnqttzwf
The download is password-protected, but based on the Myspace stream I’d say it sounds like the beginning of an interesting idea that isn’t finished. I like the slightly less polished approach, and the start almost sounds like Adam & the Ants. If there was a bit more to chew on I think there might be something there.
Still, totally different approach. I don’t think The Slips mix has to suffer from comparison.
It doesn’t seem to be password protected anymore.
I like the ’short and sweet’ approach and I actually think there’s a lot going on – keyboard and guitar parts coming and going, and the drum pattern changes (yeah, it is very Adam and the Ants! I think it’s straight from the original track; I think all the parts are from the original… which I guess is cool…).
But I do think some of the sounds are a bit harsh, like ear-hurting harsh, but that might just be my preference.
Tom, it’s not that I don’t think there’s anything going on, just that it feels unfinished. Again, like it’s the beginning of a good idea. And I agree some of the sounds are a bit abrasive for my taste. I’d love to hear someone remix this remix – I think we could get something really interesting as a result.