last years debut by howling bells was easily one of my fave albums, something about the sultry vocals, low slung guitars, and songs that just rocked that just really hit home.
obviously, the record label, bella union, have been aware of the buzz builingg about the band, as they now lift one of the albums highlights and give it the all clear for full disco dancefloor remix workover action, along with the labels most expensive video according to the press release.
remixes are provided the following bunch of names:
the presets, dogsend squash, little people, and current punk funk monsters, forward russia,
as is the way, each mix has its own groove. the presets (available only via itunes) do the electro-vs-indie makeover for people who go to parties held my those fine modular people, dogsend squash is a little more freaky with its manic distorted synths, and vocal cutups, and little people take the nice-n-mellow electronica route driving the track into areas that feel at odds with juanitas vocals but somehow works, fans of husky rescue should investigate this. then to finish off forward russia rip up the rule book and just go nuts with their studio tricks dragging the source components into a dark corner and giving them a kicking. drums are ruffed up, horror film white noise effects are spliced up against the vocal lines, and the bass would impress steve albini for its gutteral lo-fi impact, and thats just the opening minute, after which things become even weirder. its a wild journey and one that i’m not too sure i want to travel again !
all in all, this is a great remix package with a version to suit every mood and all manner of differing dancefloor flavours.
release info : out march 5th
more detail : here
record label : here