Bear In Heaven – Beast Rest Forth Mouth Remixed

Bear In Heaven, having received glowing praise from Pitchfork et al for last year’s Beast Rest Forth Mouth, receive the remix treatment from a whole host of accomplished knob twiddlers, and for the most part it’s a winning marriage of synths and psychadelia.

Largely, the remixes present are more representative of Bear In Heaven as a live act, leaving behind the introspection and aiming towards the dance floor. ‘Wholehearted Mess’ is one of the better tracks on the record; perfectly capturing the dazed electronica that characterises BRFM but also comes off well from it’s Pink Skull Remix, the discordant organs and shuddering vocals, matched with a beat that makes dancing somewhat irresistible.

The shadow of Caribou and Four Tet loom large over the treatments, which as you may think it no bad thing. It is however testament to those involved that a remix album can end up sounding so coherent.

Meanwhile the Twins in Heaven mix of ‘Lovesick Teenagers’ twists the cry of “lovesick teengaers/they never die” from dreamy statement of faith into distorted cynicism by virtue of sheer repetition of the line along with a funkier nod to bass and drums.

The slightly sleazy, space out contemplation of ‘You do You’ however, is tamed by some less effective chirps and beeps which manage to lessen the drama somewhat and make it sound more like Human League.

‘Beast in Peace’ receives an almighty kick up the arse courtesy of Hundred in the Hands may disappoint those who enjoy the more earnest choppiness of the original while the Justin Broadrick treatment of ‘Dust Cloud’ is equally euphoric.

Remix albums are by definition fairly non-essential but the presence of big names such as The Field and the overall care and attention these remixes have received set this collection apart from the usual cobbled together bonus disk selections. Through luck of design there is also a definite mood retained in a listen through the album and it is nice to have a feeling of continuity present– you could easily assume this was an original release if listening without prior knowledge. And if a few more are drawn to the original record by these remixes then it certainly is worthwhile.