Decent Hits Collection with Plenty of Goodies
Posted November 06, 2009
By LampaFan,
After five hit albums and mega chart-topping singles like "In My Arms" and "Cut", Plumb returns to the music scene with her new greatest hits album "Beautiful History: A Hits Collection". But it's more than just your regular greatest hits collection. The album features 2 brand new songs, 3 re-recorded songs and 8 dance remixes, plus totally sick cover art!
The album starts off with "Stranded (2010)" a redo from her 1999 album candycoatedwaterdrops. The re-record doesn't do much to the song, but I have totally fallen in love with the song all over again! It makes it a little more rock-oriented and of course Plumb's vocals are more seasoned than they were in 1999, but it's still a winner. "Here With Me" gets a similar revamp that is absolutely superb, while the extended cut of "Damaged" was actually released in 2006 on Chaotic Resolve. The 1999 hit is made longer, with more lyrics and heartfelt vocals. Fantastic!
"God-shaped Hole (2010)" gets a more upbeat rock makeover that suits the song well. "Real" is unfortunately the only song to represent the 2003 album Beautiful Lumps of Coal. I would have liked to see "Sink N' Swim" and "Boys Don't Cry" on this collection as well.
The 2006 ground-breaker Chaotic Resolve gets four slots on the collection with the sophisticated rock anthem "I Can't Do This", the tender piano-driven "Cut, the melancholic rock ballad "Better" and the stars-in-your-eyes love song "Blush (Only You)".
Like Beautiful Lumps of Coal, Plumb's newest release, the 2007 lullaby album Blink, is also only represented by one song, the mega hit "In My Arms". At least the song "Always" could have made it, considering it's remixes are on the second disc, but the original is left off. Oh well.
The two new songs end the first disc. "Hang On" is powerful rock ballad that lets Plumb's fantastic vocal prowess soar. The title track is a flawless final track that really speaks to me. Reminiscent of the album Blink.
I was a little disappointed with the first disc. I felt like there could have been more hits, but I guess you can't include everything. The redos make up for it though. It was a truly brilliant idea, and it makes the songs sound more current so they fit better with the more recent hits.
The second disc features eight remixes of four of Plumb's biggest hits. Bimbo Jones turns "In My Arms" into a thumping dance track, while "Cut" is remixed by Bronleewe & Bose. The song keeps its charm, but gives it an upbeat danceable undertone. "Hang On" features sizzling synthesizers, while "Always" gets a laidback electronic makeover.
"In My Arms" is remixed again by Bronleewe & Bose, with great beats and interesting sound effects, though I think I like Bimbo Jones' remix better. The Digital Dog remix of "Cut" isn't too over-the-top, but adds just enough style to the song. David Aude gives "Hang On" a darker tone, and Bimbo Jones ends the party with an energized version of "Always". If you got the iTunes version of the album, you also got 3 more remixes.
Overall, the first disc, though it could have had more songs, will tide fans over with great re-recorded hits and new songs, and the second disc is the perfect CD for fans of mainstream dance artists like Lady GaGa, Britney Spears or Black Eyed Peas. These two discs make for a collection well-worth buying that will satisfy the long-time fans and give new listeners plenty to explore.
Oh yeah, and kudos to the art direction for the album! The pictures and settings are absolutely stunning and Plumb is gorgeous! The art direction and photography is the best I have ever seen. A+ :D View All Music And Book Reviews By LampaFan | View LampaFan's Profile
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