ReVamped

Chronique

Albums of remixes are seldom assembled with the casual listener in mind. They usually cater to hardcore fans -- the sort of completists who insist on owning anything and everything that the artist has recorded. People who acquire remix albums are, in many cases, the sort of true believers who will make a point of buying an artist's new album as soon as it comes out. This is true in urban contemporary and rap; it is true in everything from hi-NRG and house to industrial and EBM. Whether or not you need to own Re Vamped, a collection of Nosferatu remixes, depends on how much of a fan you are. If you have only a casual interest in the British goth rock outfit, you should stick to their more essential albums. However, seasoned Nosferatu enthusiasts will enjoy this disc, which contains mostly songs that were originally heard on Lord of the Flies or Prince of Darkness. Remixes of Bauhaus-influenced tunes like "The Gauntlet," "Witching Hour," and "Graveyard Shift" won't convert anyone who isn't an admirer of the original versions; however, they are interesting and enjoyable if you are a seasoned Nosferatu addict who can't get enough of the band. Like so many other remix albums -- the artist could be anyone from Bobby Brown and Bell Biv DeVoe to Berlin -- Re Vamped preaches to the choir and caters to those who have already been converted. Not recommended to casual listeners, Re Vamped is strictly for collectors, completists, and hardcore fans.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo