Remix records tend to be a hit or miss proposition. For every good one (see Depeche Mode’s Remixes 81…04), there are a litany of ones not so highly regarded (see virtually every other remix album). So where on this continuum does that place Bloc Party’s Silent Alarm Remixed? Much closer to the former than the latter. What do they do right? Firstly, the track listing remains the same from the original, which makes it easy to compare and contrast. Also, as the running order is the same, it shows they remixed every track on the record, and not just the “hits” many times over by different remixers. Also in the good category: the quality of those handed the opportunity to reinterpret the London quartet’s spiky gems. Amongst the talent brought in for the job: Ladytron, Mogwai, Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner, Engineers, M83, and label mates Death From Above 1979. So why isn’t this the best remix record ever? First off, it’s hard to improve on the original, as Silent Alarm will most likely top this reviewer’s year-end top-10 album list. Also, some of the remixes are better on paper than in practice. That said, there are top tunes to be found here. Whitey’s remix of “Helicopter” strips down the punky jam, but keeps the vibe intact; DFA 1979’s heavy take on “Luno” is one for the keeper pile, and almost all are familiar with Phones’ brilliantly jazzercisetastic version of “Banquet”, originally found of the EP teaser that preceded the album last fall. Silent Alarm Remixed isn’t bound to rope in new fans, but it will definitely entice all who realize the inherent greatness in Bloc Party with new and exciting interpretations of already existing favorites.

Bloc Party
Vice Recordings

1. Silent Alarm
2. Bloc Party Announce Remix CD, North American Tour
3. Low Gets Remixed By Bob Mould
4. The Sea And Cake Set To Release Car Alarm
5. Brakes Get Their Remix On