Remix Record Revolution

I think maybe the next thing for Hilary Duff is a remix of her "greatest hits" album. Oh wait, she already included remixes of past hits on that record…Looks like she at least partially participated in one of the hottest trends in music this year: the remix record. As Pitchfork Media wrote yesterday, "Making one version of an album is so over."

Yesterday, Beck announced the forthcoming release of "Guerolito," a remix version of his last record. And last week, DFA 1979, who are currently on tour with Nine Inch Nails, announced a similar album due out in November. Vice Records (DFA 1979's label) have been helping push this trend, also releasing last month's well-received Bloc Party remix record. I've heard some criticise this whole idea as a sort of plea for attention, but I don't think that's the intention. The artists putting out remix records (50 Cent included), couldn't be hotter. I think it's a great idea, and I think it's going to grow stronger as a trend.

The remix record is a great way for an artist or band to shape their identity and even connect with a different fan base. Sure, a lot of people took Bloc Party as a rehashed Gang Of Four riding the coattails of Franz in the latest British invasion. So Bloc Party allowed their record to be remixed by some uber-credible artists like Four Tet and Nick Zinner, and all of a sudden they appear a lot more real, authentic and visionary. If all these great artists want to remix Bloc Party so much, they must be a great band.

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