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Celldweller
Take It & Break It Volume 3 - Switchback Remixes

FIXT Music

Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009
By: Claire Morrison

For Take It & Break It Vol. 3, fans were given the opportunity to remix the beloved song "Switchback." The 45 tracks that span these three discs were hand-picked by Klayton for this compilation, each remix on the set guiding "Switchback" on a tour of genres and giving it a taste of sound that it hadn't explored before. It builds, regresses, and by the last track, "Switchback"'s groove has been stretched in many different ways.

An extremely clever version is the Circa 00 remix by the 11 O'clock Band, in which they blend swing and rock & roll with the technology-circuited audio of the original song. The combination of analog and digital sound, old and new, is very original, but for this version, the two molded together like barbeque chicken and guacamole. Both taste great, but the two together don't work. Nevertheless, the attempt is admirable. Gibraltur's Cirque Du Solace mix is one of the most unique versions within the series. It draws from Canada's Cirque Du Soleil shows and slinks around the acrobatic poles as gracefully as the performers who twist around them. The ambience is seeping of the acts of aerial art: dimmed lights, beautiful vocals, worldly vibes, and incredible movements of body-strength. This remix is a personal favorite for this writer.

On the flipside of the CD set, the MaxXiantu edit is one of the more disappointing songs featured on the album. It's jumbled and scrambled jerkiness sounds like flies buzzing in front of one's face repeatedly and won't leave the person alone. While the goal may have been to provide the listener with a sense of chaotic energy, this track nudges the wrong way. One last fun track is the Razorblade remix by Neuroticfish. Many dance-aholics would be thoroughly pleased with its club-going pulse; it's a toe-tapping piece accompanied with European techno and synth. This bubbly song is well equipped to energize the most lethargic of club-goers.

Take It & Break It Vol. 3 encompasses extreme levels of originality and style. Some tracks lose grasp of how "Switchback" sounds, as the track dissolves with other styles of music. Typically this can be an interesting and brave approach, but in some circumstances, it misses the mark. Other tracks are quite wonderful. For the most part, each DJ featured on this lengthy album series does a superb job.