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Free Tibet is the newest release by the well-known neofolk project Death in June. It consists of a collection of (remixes of) older songs, where musical mastermind Douglas P. collaborated with David Tibet of Current 93. The 'CD' is downloadable for free from the the official Death in June website. Free Tibet contains three remixes of "Lifebooks", a version of "Jerusalem the Black" (both from Rose Clouds of Holocaust), two remixes of "This Is Not Paradise" and an alternative version of "Daedalus Rising" (both from But What Ends When The Symbols Shatter?).
I can be rather short about Free Tibet. There isn't a song on it that really manages to captivate me. Don't expect the calm acoustic guitar songs that we're used to hear from Death in June, most of the songs are purely electronic. In itself this isn't problem, of course, but the remixes are all pretty boring.
The three dance-like remixes of "Lifebooks" all sound exactly alike and are also rather monotonous by themselves. I did like the original song, a succesful mix of different voices and obscure instrumentation, so I expected something more from these remixes. "Jerusalem the Black" sounds (practically) the same as the original version, and while it is a good song, it isn't an interesting addition for people who are familiar with the band. "This is Paradise" I and II are up-tempo songs with an electronic beat. There isn't really going on very much in these songs, and as such these are quite uninteresting as well. The two remixes are again very similar, with as the most significant difference that the second one lasts more than twice as long, which is definately superfluous. "Daedalus Falling" is an alternative version of the original song, which now features an echo of the lyrics in French. Not annoying, but it doesn't really add anything to the song, which was quite good without it.
All in all, I think this is a very meagre release. I'm used to more quality from Death in June and am put off by the lack of songs that can really touch me. "Daedalus Falling" and "Jerusalem the Black" are nice songs to get for free for people who are unfamiliar with the band. Additionally, these songs are quite representative for the later Death in June sound, and therefore a nice introduction. Besides that, this collection of songs isn't worth your while. But, one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, so this release makes the grade, though just barely.
D.M.K.
I can be rather short about Free Tibet. There isn't a song on it that really manages to captivate me. Don't expect the calm acoustic guitar songs that we're used to hear from Death in June, most of the songs are purely electronic. In itself this isn't problem, of course, but the remixes are all pretty boring.
The three dance-like remixes of "Lifebooks" all sound exactly alike and are also rather monotonous by themselves. I did like the original song, a succesful mix of different voices and obscure instrumentation, so I expected something more from these remixes. "Jerusalem the Black" sounds (practically) the same as the original version, and while it is a good song, it isn't an interesting addition for people who are familiar with the band. "This is Paradise" I and II are up-tempo songs with an electronic beat. There isn't really going on very much in these songs, and as such these are quite uninteresting as well. The two remixes are again very similar, with as the most significant difference that the second one lasts more than twice as long, which is definately superfluous. "Daedalus Falling" is an alternative version of the original song, which now features an echo of the lyrics in French. Not annoying, but it doesn't really add anything to the song, which was quite good without it.
All in all, I think this is a very meagre release. I'm used to more quality from Death in June and am put off by the lack of songs that can really touch me. "Daedalus Falling" and "Jerusalem the Black" are nice songs to get for free for people who are unfamiliar with the band. Additionally, these songs are quite representative for the later Death in June sound, and therefore a nice introduction. Besides that, this collection of songs isn't worth your while. But, one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth, so this release makes the grade, though just barely.
D.M.K.