The remix album -- the time-honored tradition of buying time between records. Often, these are inconsequential affairs (
Limp Bizkit
's
New Old Songs
leaps to mind, for some reason), but if a band is smart, they can use this time-buying ploy to their advantage, redefining their sound somewhat, or at least reaching out for that elusive street credibility. The latter option is especially true for bands that have a big, big chart hit on their hands but little critical respect or reputation as a hip band. Which brings us to
Linkin Park
Reanimation
, a generous 20-track remix record of their debut
Hybrid Theory
that the band has vaguely alluded to as their art project. That means the group has left the hamfisted
alt-metal
of their debut behind, turning this record over to rappers, remixers, DJs, and assorted producers to give it a darkly hip, electronic edge. This may not be particularly pleasing to those who loved the angst-ridden
rock
theatrics of the debut, but it's a damn sight more interesting than that debut, helping
distinguish themselves from the adolescently tortured
rap-rock
pack. The paradox is, of course, that the band sounds more original when filtered through the likes of
Kutmasta Kurt
,
Alchemist
Pharoahe Monch
Aceyalone
, and
Jonathan Davis
, among others, but any change is welcome, really (well, apart from the apparent decision to leave grammar and spelling behind; every song title is an "arty" interpretation of the original title --
"Paper Cut"
is
"Ppr:Kut,"
"Cure for the Itch"
"Kyur4 th Ich,"
etc. -- resulting in a silly mish-mash of letters and numerals). Some of this works quite well, some of it is kind of juvenile (really, does
Motion Man
need to repeat "
-- remix" over and over again on his rap?), much of it is only slightly recognizable from the original, it's too long, and compared to contemporary arty
(
Radiohead
Flaming Lips
Clinic
Trail of Dead
System of a Down
Interpol
, etc.), it really isn't that arty. But, compared to what they've done before, and compared to their peers,
is arty and a welcome step in the right direction. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine