(Music) Of Montreal: "Satanic Twins"

I don't know why, and I suppose I never will, but there will always be a market for remix albums. In theory, the whole idea of a remix album doesn't make much sense. When songs are released, they are thought to have reached their fullest potential, never to be outdone or enhanced. Never to miss out on a single penny, however, record labels still insist on pushing these albums out at an entirely unacceptable rate even though they are, at their very nature, mediocre. This brings me to "Satanic Twins" by my absolute favorite band, Of Montreal.

As the name would hint, "Satanic Twins" is made up of 12 remixes of songs from their two latest albums "Satanic Panic in the Attic" and "The Sunlandic Twins." Any resemblance to the songs' electro-pop roots, though, is sadly missing. In fact, with the exception of "Forecast Fascist Future," these songs are barely listenable. What has been done on this record is not only a travesty to Of Montreal, but also to the devoted fans who will purchase it. Fortunately, however, "Satanic Twins" has only been released in limited edition vinyl, so the chances of this being anyone's first encounter with the band are slim.

It has always been my opinion that remix albums should not exist unless they offer a new perspective on a song without completely crippling the original's spirit. "Romance, Bloody Romance" by Death From Above 1979, for example, offered a unique twist on the band's signature sound, and it worked. Unfortunately, "Satanic Twins" butchers these songs to the extent that they don't even sound like Of Montreal anymore. Even for the hardcore Of Montreal fans, like myself, who thoroughly enjoy their older, more-difficult, indie pop sound, this record just comes off as too difficult and too blasphemous to accept as a legitimate addition to the Of Montreal collection.

To Of Montreal fans, by all means, check it out. For everyone else, this album doesn't exist...

Recommended for Of Montreal fans, but only those who are desperately seeking for a reason to hate the band (Note: This can be can be accomplished by pretending that this is not a remix album, but a brand new Of Montreal album).

Key Tracks:
1. "Forecast Fascist Future"
2. "My British Tour Diary"
3. "The Party's Crashing Us"

2 out of 5 Stars