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Versus

by Kings of Convenience

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Given that remixers' recourse to acoustica is the next logical link to down-tempo electronica, it's no surprise that the Kings of Convenience's beguiling debut has undergone this treatment. Versus sees the winsome, lovelorn ditties of Quiet is the New Loud reinterpreted by the likes of fellow Norwegians Royksopp (whose lovely remix of "I Don't Know What to Save You From" appeared on the "Failure" single), Four Tet, Ladytron, and Alfie, among others. Apart from Ladytron, who opt for their characteristic warped synth-pop, on the whole the assembled cast gently tweaks the songs, rather than offering any radical reworking of them. Evil Tordivel update "Leaning Against the Wall" with sprightly horns and keyboards, leaving the song less introspective, but still recognizable. Wayward folksters Alfie remake "Failure" (also included on the single), but are less successful, as their skewed lo-fi tends to overbear much of the all-important melody. Riton's remix of "The Girl from Back Then" adds gentle sprinkles of nonchalant, shuffling beats, but the highlight is the "Weight of My Words" remix by Kieran Hebden, a.k.a. Four Tet. As showcased on his glorious Pause album, he melds bubbling electronica with an organic, folky ambience, perfectly demonstrating the premise of Versus. --Suzannah Brown