Thievery Corporation – Versions

There’s something to be said for synchronicity. I wandered into the coffee shop near work Saturday morning to procure some caffeine after an ill-advised evening emptying the fridge of beer. While the barista was assembling a drink for me, I was relaxing and enjoying the music playing over the stereo. It was pretty tripped-out, dubby stuff, and I was thoroughly digging it.

When I got my drink, I asked what was playing and she said “It’s Thievery Corporation. You should really check them out.” I agreed heartily, and made a mental note to do so… which of course slipped my mind totally.

Later that afternoon, after I’ve gotten home, the wife goes out to check the mail. Lo and behold, there’s a box from Eighteenth Street Lounge, and what’s in it but the newest Thievery Corporation cd, Versions. How very fucking odd. Needless to say, it got thrown right into the cd player and I gave it a listen.

The album consists entirely of remixed versions of other artists’ music (as opposed to their own original music). There’s stuff by the Doors, Nouvelle Vague (who I only recently discovered, as well), Fear of pop, and Herb Alpert. All top-notch shit, and given a nicely laid-back, Jamaica by way of a 50s cocktail lounge revamp.

All of the original material peeks through to let you know whence came all the foundations for this. However, it’s built upon to such an extent that it becomes a new song in and of itself. That, to me, is the essence of a cover song, which is what some of these tracks become. There’s something in the nature of remixes that they either become the original with added beats (which is frightfully dull) or are twisted to the point of something new and entertaining, with the original sticking around enough to be recognized (which is fantastic).

Thievery Corporation has done the latter, and fantastically well. With added strings, beats, and mellowed-out pacing, Versions creates a sonic template that makes me yearn for a cool dark room, cigarettes, and a nicely chilled cocktail.

“Nouvelle Vague – Not A Love Song