If you haven’t noticed by now, most things in our lifetimes run in cycles. I’m positive that many of you have since most of our readers are in the fashion, or music, or just art worlds period, and even if you aren’t you have been taught, told, or have come to the realization on your own that trends are cyclical in nearly everything. Bell bottoms come back into fashion much like certain types of sounds or genres are adjusted ever so often into what gets classified as “new” music, but why?
My inclination is that repetition only continues to happen because people are afraid to push the limits to test or find new boundaries. They are simply afraid to try something new and non-traditional so they practice regurgitation in the name of innovation. These old formulas have a proven track history, so what would be a creative process is downgraded to minor revisions. You now have a product that not only contains familiarity but also bits & pieces of various proven and successful formulas wrapped up and presented as something new. But, every once in blue, someone comes along who decides to test the boundaries, restrictions, and limitations of life, law, textbooks, and every other institution in existence and create something unique. Something that although the world may not be ready for, they are not afraid to showcase…
This is what I find in Sleigh Bells and their sonically rebellious tunes. I find a group that isn’t afraid to test the sonic restrictions placed upon us by some form of higher authority. A band that represents revolution in their own form using their own tools to go against the grain and provide an abstract way of expressing and dictating the foundation for a new wave of music, or at least attempting to. Sleigh Bells represents that for me to the fullest and it wasn’t until a conversation with Hector early this morning that I was able to begin to see that this group and it’s mass appeal are not only well deserved. Whether you understand their sound or not, whether you like it, appreciate it or don’t, you should at least respect the fact that they are not succumbing to the norm.
Fast Forward now to this Club Clique “NewTrends Rill Rill Remix” blasting in my headphones, I find an extremely enjoyable and incredibly vibrant sounding remix by the Manchester crew of re-mixers, DJ’s, and what appears to be – the absolute musical lawlessness of the Club Clique DJ’s. I instantaneously get sucked into this crazy energy filled ride and immediately find my body involuntarily moving to the the awesome masterpiece of live sounds and dance-pop flow that the Club Clique mix masters supply us with here. Filled with shakers that sit well right above ear level, equally airy and strong claps, some super sick ass live guitar and guitar rifts alongside a very well researched, very well formulated, and meticulously executed masterpiece of a remix, I fall in love with the vocals the second they blast off!
Have a heart, have a heart, have a heart Sixteen six six six and I know the part You are the river flow And we can never know We’re just a weatherman You make the wind blow…”
Because of the magic that Clique provides on this remix, the same vocals taken from the original piece suddenly seem to take on an entire new life making Lady Krauus seem, to me, like an entirely different entity. Her vocals sit melodically throughout the entire life span of this remix, showcasing great placement of her vocals by Clique from the amazing job that already stems from the actual original vocals of this song provided by Alexis’s windpipes. They were able to show off her naturally warm and clean vocals by stripping down the original completely and recreating an entirely new vibe and direction for Alexis, which for me provides a higher energy and slightly clearer execution of the emotions within the lyrics themselves, written also by Miller.
So this is it then? You’re here to win friend Click click saddle up see you on the moon then You’re all alone friend? Pick up the phone then Rill rill call them up Tell them about the new trends…”
After a couple of hours of vigorous research on this Brooklyn duo, and listening to the original version of Rill Rill I can unequivocally say that I enjoy this Clique version slightly more than the original. The Clique guys studied a formula, broke it down, and applied it their own way to come out with a winning equation. Their version not only boasts a cleaner and less distorted sound for me, but it also provides some type of natural groove, which the original lacks somewhat, as well as propelling her warm and nicely executed vocals into a space that showcases her unique vocal swag, for me, a little stronger that the original allows. Having just been introduced myself to Imogen Heap’s masterpiece – Hide and Seek – by a very cool new friend of mine, I can appreciate the build up around Ms. Krauss’s vocals on this remix as quite visionary to say the least, since I honestly feel that listening to the original first would not have made me a total fan of this song. I get the same vibe from the execution of her “Have a hearts” and “this is it thens” that Imogen Heap refers to as the inspiration for Hide and Seek which she claims is based on dealing with an emotionless former love interest, yet I would have NEVER felt that vibe or feeling on the slightly bland, and at moments, imperceptibly inaudible vocals of the original.
Original aside, this Club Clique remix featuring Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells is WINNING in my book off of arrangement and sounds alone and will be featured on several of our future play-lists and events to come!
- cp’11
Sleigh Bells – Rill Rill (Clique NewTrends Remix)
keep up the good work!
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