Phantom Phorce

For the most part, the team of remixers--including everyone from the semi-famous (Beastie Boys decksman Mario Caldato Jnr, the High Llamas) to the obscure (Welsh dub maestros Llwybr Llaethog, melancholic laptop tinkerer Zan Lyons)--leave Gruff's vocals and the basic song structure intact, choosing instead to tinker with the arrangements. Killa Kella reworks the galloping "Golden Retriever" as a nervous twitch of human beatbox rhythms; Four Tet takes on "The Piccolo Snare" with a sonic arsenal of screeching saxophones, tapped cymbals and dense percussion; and Weevil turn "Hello Sunshine" into a woozy, ethereal sunrise of atmospheric dronetronica. Sadly, the fake deadpan narration--courtesy of the album's so-called "executive producer" Kurt Stern--is an unnecessary irritant. All the same, it probably won't spoil your enjoyment of this brave, entertaining work of artistic reinvention. -- Louis Pattison