This is a strange way to look at it imho. It's like saying there's only one right way to say an idea. There's a variety of ways to convey an idea. There's a lot of decisions that were made between an idea's genesis and its finished product. There's a lot of places where an artist has to choose between "Is this better or is this way better" when there's no "right" answer. They must choose ONE way to make a finished song, and I don't see it as unreasonable that someone who hasn't felt like they're done with just one finished interpretation go back and revisit several of those earlier decisions and make a completely different finished product with the same core idea. That's just one way of looking at it too, there's way to subvert or change an idea in many ways. Maybe to create irony, or a sad reprise, or a happy reprise, and so fourth. Looking at things from different angles creates depth.
It's rare that a remix album/EP or remix-centric single consists entirely of an artist's remixes of their own tracks. They usually consist of commissioned remixes that are done by other artists.
Wht she said! Also I think reanimation was lightning in a bottle. Maybe more so than HT. So to try and do it again would be silly.
This is an awfully deep answer to give when discussing remixing 3 minute pop songs, but I suppose what you're saying isn't untrue. But what you're seeming to imply is that most artists aren't satisfied with their final songs. I would sincerely hope that that isn't true. You're right, there is more than one way to convey an idea. That's why you write more than one song. Sticking "original style like an 808 drum" on repeat over some EDM beat isn't giving anything depth, it's just change for the sake of change. But that's okay, because that was a different artist's take.
Often, songs are reworked to make them more accessible to a different crowd; for example, EDM producers might want to make a tune work better in their sets. In any case, putting a song's elements in a new context is what remixing is all about. You might not like DatsiK's rmx because he doesn't do much with the vocals but I think the approach works in creating a fun drumstep track which properly uses the conventions of that style (which can include minimal use of vocals).
I did phrase that rather abstractly, didn't I? I was trying to be more generic, but reinterpretations of ideas can include simple things like "making it easier to dance to" and such. I don't consider pop music entirely soulless. I think it has its moments. And I don't think something to dance or sing to is an inferior emotion than sitting quietly and thinking about it. Like how I don't consider comedy an inferior genre than other movies, even though nobody wants to give comedies any awards. I also did not want to imply that the first complete song was bad. I wanted to say that both the song and its remix can be complete, awesome things. There can be more than one awesome thing if the artist wants to do so. It doesn't say anything about the first song to want to make a different interpretation of it. Lighting in a bottle was a good metaphor. Makes me think of another point: LP already HAS a remix album in their discography. I think we could get something else instead of a second remix album. Like, for example, a more up-to-date DVD release of all the LP music videos. Hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint hint
1.- Totally agreed. 2.- I've wanted a videography DVD too, but it doesn't seem like the band or their surroundings have ever thought of it. They could easily have 30 videos to date (or something around that number).
A few years ago I popped this question in a LPU chat to Mike. He said something along the lines of this: 1. They've considered it. 2. They have a hard time deciding what time is a good time to release one. 3. If they released a collection of music videos, it would soon become out of date as they make more videos. 4. ?????????? 5. OK better not release one at all then. Of course I consider that total bullshit. This is like my pet issue. I will poke them as often as I can about it.
You could say this for just about anything they've done, though. They already have a studio album - or, you know, five - in their discography and that doesn't mean they shouldn't try for more. I agree that, at this point, a collection of all or most of their music videos to date would be awesome, especially if it means we get hi-res copies of older videos. And, then, after another two or three album cycles have passed, they could follow it up with a new collection encompassing those eras
Reanimation wasn't so much a remix album as it was a total re-working of Hybrid Theory (and b-sides). Most of the songs felt completely different from the originals, largely due to new vocals from new artists, and in some cases they improved upon the source material (P5hng Me A*wy, Krwlng, WTH>You). The LT remixes were so uninspired. I listened to each one once and then forgot they ever existed. I'm not sure if the band, and other artists, are willing to put in comparable effort to what it took to create Reanimation. Instead it appears the preference is to outsource the task to run-of-the-mill techno artists. I can say one thing though: I have loved every "Mike Shinoda Remix" of LP songs that I have heard. Would LOVE to see him take the reigns on another remix album.
Which annoys me to no end. I'm sure casual fans and the like would be much happier (and consequently their sales would be doing much better) if they put out Reanimation 2. I was just thinking about all this too, as I realized Reanimation is my most-played album on iTunes - like half of the songs are in my top 25.
I seriously DON'T hope they release another remix album. As Mark pointed out, there are some Reanimation remixes that were even better than the original songs. And now look at Living Things Remixes. There's not even one that felt REALLY convincing. I guess another remix album would be very disappointing because I seriously do not believe that Reanimation can be beaten. Imagine having a discography of Linkin Park and then look at the remix albums: 1. Reanimation, 2. crap
Casual fans aren't gonna give a shit about a remix album, let alone feel like they should spend any money on one.
I understand how they might like the singles that they've heard from "Hybrid Theory" and "Meteora" but, even so, I highly doubt "Reanimation" is on the casual fan's radar at all, especially not today. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that being open to listening to "Reanimation" means you've reached the point where you're no longer just a casual fan ;D
Why? because the band loved the LT remixes so much to the point that when they saw you guys hating on it, they said 'Screw you guys, we're never making a remix album until you LOVE these DOPE AWESOME remixez'
Everytime I see this thread I think of "WHY NOT ZOIDBERG?!".. Well I wouldn't mind another remix album. Reanimation 2.0 would be nice.
Indeed I didn't even know Reanimation existed for a long time. I think Collision Course would be much more something a casual fan would listen to.