There are few things more frustrating than picking up what you think is the newest CD by your favorite artist, only to discover that it is, in fact, nothing but half a dozen remixes of one song. No matter how different the mixes may be, it is an ultra-rare occurrence that this set will make for a pleasant continual listening experience.
Fear and Resilience is in fact one of those impossibly unique cases, in no small part due to the caliber of top-notch remixers assigned to re-create this track off of new folktronica fave Pedro's self-titled debut album. And while none of these guests is particularly surprising, it is a bit like a gathering at the Hall of Justice, all of the Superfriends accounted for. First up is
Prefuse 73, who skillfully chops the track in his effortless MPC style. It's a bit disappointing that Scott Herren didn't allow his gentler work as
Savath + Savalas to come into play, but when the guy's in beat mode, he's in beat mode. Next is U.K. producer Cherrystones, who reverses the dominant Fender guitar line until it sounds like a beat-heavy
Jimi Hendrix studio outtake, followed by
Danger Mouse, who finds a stringy jazz groove. Pedro himself takes a playful crack before Home Skillet completely tears down whatever remains. Last is
Four Tet, who -- not to be outdone by the top of the batting order -- has produced a 21-minute version, complete with a skronky free jazz freakout and time-warping ambient passages, changing this mild-mannered remix project into an epic undertaking. ~ Joshua Glazer