Bloom: Remix Album [Content/Copy-Protected CD] [Enhanced] [Import]

The album opens with the pounding Junkie XL remix of the second single to have been lifted from Sarah's "Afterglow" opus, "World on fire". Although perhaps not altogether suited to Sarah's vocals, Junkie XL delivers a sterling trance-infused remix which is included here in full length form.

The second track on the disc is the Dusted (aka Rollo and Mark Bates) remix of "Ice". Dusted did an awesome job when commissioned to rework Sarah's tear jerking single "Angel", and in the wake of that peerless remix their variation of "Ice" can only disappoint. This is arguably the weakest track on the album

Track 3 is the awesome Tom Middleton remix of the classic "Vox". Middleton's remix is an utterly inspired, genre-straddling affair the like of which i've not heard in a very long time. McLachlan's vocals melt into his exquisite production, rendering this track one of the highlights of this CD

Track four is "Dirty little secret", as lifted from "Afterglow", which has been remoulded in an ambient, even balearic fashion by the Thierry Corporation. Sarah's mournful vocals are entirely suited to their minimalistic remake, rendering this one of the highlights of "Bloom"

The Hyper remix of the 2004 single "Stupid" is up next, and is a very dark and devastating remake indeed. Sarah's vocals sound a tad malevolent even when pitched againgst the breaks-infused soundscape. A particularly hypnotic track which grabs you and refuses to let go

"Train wreck" is up next, again lifted from "Afterglow". This track has been given a very upbeat, extremely catchy makeover from scene stalwarts Sly & Robbie. A hugely idiosynchratic affair, "Train wreck" is undeniably superior to the remix work of many of the contemporary acts on this album

"Just like me" is another electic affair featuring Will I Am from the Black Eyed Peas and on remix duties, DMC from Run DMC fame. Predominately an r&b number, Sarah's vocals burst into with her singing an interpolation of "Cats in the cradle". Not one of the standout tracks but very interesting nonetheless

Track eight is the exquisite "Answer". Overhauled by Talvin Singh, "Answer" features breathtaking Indian instrumentation which compliments Sarah's pleading vocals immensely. Another standout track, slightly ambient in sound and again a highlight of the CD

"Fallen" is up next and is featured, at long last, in full length form, as remixed by Gabriel & Dresden. Criminally, G&D's remix of "Fallen" was omitted from the UK and US single release and has as such been in great demand ever since. A truly thunderous, roofraising club affair, "Fallen" is one of the finest Sarah McLachlan remixes ever, harking back to perhaps Tiesto's remake of "Sweet surrender" which was featured on her 2001 remix album "Remixed"

The last track is "Fumbling towards ecstasy", as remixed by the enigmatic Junior Boys (nothing to do with X-Press 2, Farley & Heller or Junior Vasquez apparently). Arguably the weakest track on the album, this is another downtempo affair which is nowhere near as masterful as the Thievvy Corporation remix of "Dirty little secret" or the Talvin Singh retouch of "Answer"