Feist needs no introduction. She and the songs off of her third album, The Reminder, have been everywhere this year and last. Though somewhat popular in certain scenes with her 2004 release, Let It Die, The Reminder shot her to stardom, with the help of her single “1234†being featured on an iPod Nano commercial. That significantly helped album sales and her movement into the mainstream. It’s amazing what Steve Jobs‘ magic can do. So with no further delay, a few remixed tracks of Feist.
website | myspace | @ memorial park
“My Moon My Man”
This was the first single off of her album, and though paling in comparison to the success of “1234â€, it’s a great track. As with most of her songs, the instrumentals are kept behind a thin curtain so that her, sexy, breathy, brushed voice can shine. Musically, it bounces with the piano notes hitting with impact and precision, guitar tones strumming jazzy, for an overall poppy, bluesy flavor. Voice and music combined, it’s a whimsically, sweet song.
Boys Noize Remix
German electronic DJ/Producer Alexander Ridha a.k.a. Boys Noize‘s remix is ubiquitous and it would be nigh impossible to not have heard it. This remix is just fantastic. It is by far one of my favorite remixes of all time. I actually always opt to listen to this version of “My Moon My Man†rather than the original. The mix starts off with an incredible computerized vocal (which is supposedly Ridha himself) speaking and repeating “my moon my man,” which sounds a little dark and cuts the song heavily and nicely. I love it. This is laid amongst the backdrop of foot shuffles and out of breath breathing that conclude the original. Boys Noize really thought this one out. The mix still manages to remain in the background, showcasing Feist’s voice as the focal point. Added to this is a dripping drum beat, a sharp bass line and hand claps that change the light, shuffled, original into a hectic and dirty dance floor track.
–
“I Feel It All”
“I Feel It All†is upbeat and jangly, sunshine and summery. Feist’s vocals on this cut beam with a brilliance that is soft and comforting. A sweetness drips from every syllable she breathes out in this one. As always, she sounds playful. It’s a sauntering little number with lightly brushed acoustic guitars, light piano keys, drum shuffles, bells and tambourines. I’m about ready to pack a picnic.
Diplo Remix
Diplo really changes this one around. And as much as I like the original, I have to say, I like this one better. Gone is the summery feel and jangly guitars, pianos and tambourines. This song becomes a power house in Diplo’s hands. It’s a perfect mesh of indie and electro. All the original music has been stripped away and Diplo lays down a deep dance beat across the song. And it’s a funky, bubbling beat at that. It also fits well around the vocals, which come off sounding more structured and danceable. Eventually joined in are drum machine hand claps, which splash nicely across all the other sounds.
–
“1234″
I feel I shouldn’t say anything here because everybody has heard this song. It’s such a full, lush song with horns, dribbling pianos, twanged banjos, soft drums, gospel backing, and saccharine, soulful singing that has you swaying right a long.
Van She Technologic Remix
Van She Technologic is part of Australian indie-electro band, Van She. Van She Tech do some amazing remixes, and their one for “1234†is amongst those. They alter this song into a pure electronic dance track. It is very reminiscent of Daft Punk remixes during their live shows. The song actually moves a little slower, but is filled with grinding and syncopated beats, cut up vocals, and dirty, 80s synth layering that makes for a real gritty rocker.
–
“Sea Lion Woman”
“Sea Lion Woman†is a reworking of Nina Simone‘s “See Line Womanâ€, though it is a folk song that predates Simone. Feist’s version follows closely to Simone’s original. And being a huge fan of Nina Simone and this song for as long as I can remember, I really enjoyed Feist’s take on it. It still captures the Nina Simone style, the rootsy jazz. It features, strong and powerful electric jazz guitars and plenty of hand claps to provide percussion. And Feist’s voice is so strong and soulful it does the song nothing but justice.
Chromeo Remix
At first hearing the Chromeo remix I started to laugh. That’s just because I find Chromeo to be fun and amusing. They’re by far one of my favorite bands and for them to remix a classic, jazz song like this the way they did just makes me smile. I laugh because they transform this wonder into a pure Chromeo track. It is heavy 80s, with thick, syrupy synths and strong kick drums with a firm and pounding bass line. It exudes disco in its slinky style. And it creates something unique with the jazzy, soul vocals of the song being mixed with dance floor thumps. This song has so much funk it’s just too fun.
–
“Mushaboom”
Mushaboom wasn’t on Feist’s last album, but rather her sophomore one, Let It Die. It’s a soft, folky song with plucked guitars, and more hand claps. I guess Feist loves her hand claps. The piano melody is delicate and all combine for a jangly, soulful, folkish, jazz track.
Mocky Remix
Everything changes here. There is a groove to the song that this mix creates. Hand claps are prevalent as ever, how can they not be? The vocals are present, but stripped is everything else and substituted with a laid down soft, yet firm electro beat. This is a sound not heard on a dance floor, but instead in some sleek, sexy lounge.
website | myspace
Photo: Mary Rozzi
