My Brightest Diamond: "Tear It Down"

Ahh, the remix album. Clearly it's one of the most overdone, yet disappointing classifications an album can receive. Still, dozens of these albums are released every year, most of which serve as throwaway club bangers as opposed to actual music. Even fewer show respect for the artist's original work, opting rather to make the song something that is entirely their own, and entirely unlistenable in the process. So you can image my surprise when it was first revealed that My Brightest Diamond's stellar 2006 debut "Bring Me the Workhorse" was being reworked and remixed as 2007's "Tear It Down." You can also imagine my skepticism. However, the final result is far from what I'd expected.

"Tear It Down" is a really good remix album. The reason for this is simple. The artists who have participated in this project respected Shara Worden's original work. These songs are far different from what Worden originally presented to us several months ago, but the overall feel and themes of the album are not torn apart by someone else's careless remixing. Take, for example, Lusine's remix of "Workhorse." In many ways, it is very similar to the original version of the song. It feels like the same song, and keeps much of the original instrumentation. What it adds are really subtle drums, vocal effects, and minimal instrumentation. It really is a fantastic reinvention of what was already an awesome song.

Much less subtle is the Stakka remix of "Disappear," which features both commanding percussion and gentle strings. When the music drops out and Shara is left singing "I don't think we're meant to stay here" a capella in her upper registry, it is a beauty that we never got to experience in the song's original version. "Dragonfly" features an almost Dntel-ish feel, but remains just as haunting as ever, as is the now more-terrifying "Magic Rabbit." Both songs are prime examples of what a remix should be.

In actuality, most of the album follows this same idea. Much care and respect is given to the original music, and the experience is greater because of it. Even some of "Bring Me the Workhorse's" less appealing songs ("We Were Sparkling" or "The Good and the Bad Guy") have new life breathed into them here. With the exception of the two remixes of "Freak Out," both of which are club remixes, there's not a song on "Tear It Down" that would be incredibly difficult for any fan of My Brightest Diamond to find enjoyment in. Anyone who found "Bring Me the Workhorse" great, but short on lasting appeal should definitely look into purchasing this terrific reinvention of Shara Worden's 2006 masterpiece. If you're just not sure, however, I highly recommend you going over to Astmatic Kitty's website and streaming the album before you purchase it. (http://asthmatickitty.com/music.php?releaseID=70)

Recommended for fans of My Brightest Diamond and anyone who wants to hear what a remix album should sound like!

Key Tracks:
1. "Workhorse (Lusine)"
2. "Disappear (Stakka)"
3. "Dragonfly (Murcof)"
4. "Magic Rabbit (Alfred Brown)"
5. "We Were Sparkling (Haruki)"

7 out of 10 Stars