Filter Remixes for the Damned Album Review
By: Mr. Censored
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Filter mastermind Richard Patrick
While Anthems for the Damned wasn’t the comeback album Filter mastermind Richard Patrick may have been banking on, the subsequent remix album, appropriately titled Remixes for the Damned, manages to re-integrate some of the industrial influences prevalent in the band’s previous releases, but which were lacking in said album. A digital release only (perhaps due to the underperformance of the album it’s based on), the fifteen tracks that pad out the album remix and re-arrange some key songs, in turn, making for some material that is surprisingly equal to or greater than its source.
For fans who felt left in the cold by the creative direction of Anthems for the Damned, you may be happy to find somewhat of an accidental return to form for the band. Some remixes call back to the past, while others take the material into previously uncharted territory. The “Love’s Labour’s Lost” remix of “I Keep Flowers Around,” in particular, spins the grungy tune on its head, giving it a trip-hop twist that fits the lyrical tone even more appropriately. Conversely, one of the heavier songs, “The Take,” gets completely different treatment. With a bassline and a slow-burning pace that echoes back to the band’s signature hit, “Hey Man, Nice Shot,” the track feels more like classic Filter than anything else. The Justin Eyerly remix of “Soldiers of Misfortune,” while not straying too far from the original, manages to strip the song down to an even more powerful and emotional setting, opting for a subdued acoustic guitar rather than the slick sheen and distorted guitars of the original. “In Dreams” manages to be even trippier than the original, and while Wes Borland’s chunky riffs are all but deleted, it’s an improvement.
Unfortunately, though, there’s some fat that could have been trimmed from the album. In particular, the remaining two remixes of “Soldiers of Misfortune” are throwaways and pale in comparison to the previously mentioned version. There are also too many remixes for the same song at times, which ruins the flow of the album and makes it tough to sit through. Did we really need three remixes of “Kill the Day?” No, not really. Some other tracks from “Anthems of the Damned” would have been appreciated. How about “The Wake” or the instrumental “Can Stop This,” two songs in particular that could have benefited from a makeover? It seems a waste to revisit the same tracks over and over again, while omitting others. But I digress.
Overall, though, Remixes for the Damned is one of the few remix albums worth the time. While it can get a bit redundant at times, it manages to bring back some nostalgic feelings for older Filter fans while taking the time to make a few songs just that much better. Plus, it caps off with two acoustic tracks, which are always a treat, and this time is no exception. If you felt Anthems for the Damned left something to be desired, this album might be enough to fill that void.
Is that the Mercury Lounge show Darius left school for?
Carla – Yes! I actually added the video to Andy’s review for that very reason. He didn’t leave school. He told his parents not to fly in and left the graduation early to attend the show. And what an awesome show it was.
I also want to say that I thought Anthems was an excellent album. Remixes is worth a listen. My favorite track on Remixes is the “Cold” remix. It’s very electronica, but still awesome.
I’m unsure why I’m showing up as AUTHOR in this section and the TKATS section. I thought this was fixed when I learned of this after commenting on one of Darius’ posts. It will be worked on.
The album was not promoted properly. I didn’t know Anthems was out until 6 months later. I’m also in the radio business.
The Amalgamut is their best CD. Short Bus broke them, and Title was excellent. But as a collective unit, The Amalgamut reigns supreme. I will not listen to this remixes CD solely on principle.
1942,
What principle are you not listening to this album on? The fact that you don’t think they can top “The Amalgamut?” Honestly, it’s worth a chance, but it’s a lot more enjoyable after hearing “Anthems for the Damned.”
I think 1942 would have been better of just saying he doesn’t listen to remix albums as opposed to giving what seems to me to be a shitty reason. The Amalgamut was promoted poorly but I was a fan so I bought it and loved it. For any one to say that its their top album has to be a hardcore fan and thus would have listened to Remixes just 1x. Something doesn’t make sense. Don’t be naive.
I LISTENED TO AN INTERVIEW RICHARD DID AND WHY UR ALL CHILDREN IS BC HE SPOKE ABOUT THE FILTER SOUND AND EVEN THO ALL THE CDS ARE DIFFRENT IN THERE OWN WAY THEY STILL HAVE THE FILTER SOUND SO STOP DEBATING USE LESS SHIT
A little perspective wouldn’t hurt.
Short Bus was a mid 90′s CD.
Anthems for the Damned was a 2008 CD.
Alot happened in between both those albums and they are all relevant in their own way. The Remixes release was fitting because RP experimented with this sound on many tracks. I agree with Andy that there was alot of filler on it.
My comment was lost in translation, Censored. I’m just not one for Remix albums or concept albums based on an already-released album. I did seek out some of the tracks and hate it.
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