Stars – Do You Trust Your Friends?
[imeem http://media.imeem.com/m/ASoAd3YT5-/aus=false/]
Release: May 22, 2007 / Arts & Crafts
I prefer Final Fantasy’s intricate string arrangement and casual production of “Peach Plum Pear” to the original by Joanna Newsom. However, Owen Pallett (aka Final Fantasy) has been outdone by fellow re-mixers on Do You Trust Your Friends, the remix album of 2004’s Set Yourself On Fire by Stars. For “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead,” Owen’s remix is blatantly sad, which, to be fair, is problematic only when compared to the assortment of moods the original pulls off. The string arrangement here is more traditional than what we’ve heard before, and Owen’s put work into a fornlorn composition for the piano instead. For the most part, however, I’m of the opinion that trustworthy friends have outdone Stars themselves.
Though the transformation of the originals is more or less subtle throughout the album, some are more so than others. Montag, Young Galaxy and Minotaur Shock have added their own polish without taking away too much; The Most Serene Republic, Camouflage Nights (w/ Kevin Drew), Russian Futurists and The Dears have been inspired by the originals to explore a style not typically their own; Metric and The Stills have used the opportunity to experiment a little; while Junior Boys and Apostle of Hustle have made it their own, Apostle’s version complete with re-singing and a nice selection of sound bites.
It’s difficult to pick a favorite from this collection of quality mixes, but I’ve picked Minotaur Shock’s “The Big Fight” for its classy nuance and smooth horns. The album will also be available in a 2-disc LP set: Pre-order for $17.99 from Insound.
Full tracklist:
your ex-lover is dead (final fantasy)
set yourself on fire (montag)
ageless beauty (the most serene republic)
reunion (jason collett)
the big fight (minotaur shock)
what i’m trying to say pt. 1 (the dears)
what i’m trying to say pt. 2 (the dears)
one more night (apostle of hustle)
sleep tonight (junior boys)
the first five times (the russian futurists)
he lied about death (metric)
celebration guns (camouflage nights with kevin drew)
soft revolution (the stills)
calendar girl (young galaxy)
Previously:
