DFA Compilation #2 [DFA]

• Artist: DFA
• Rating:
• Release Date: November 02, 2004
• Type: Collection (various artists)
• Genre: Electronica

Review

One of the most consistently creative indie labels gathers up more than enough tracks to necessitate a second compilation. DFA Compilation #2 is three times the size of #1, using the first two discs to compile tracks new and old, while providing a DJ mix on the third. Since the initial batch of 12" releases, the label has expanded its sound and roster at a steady pace. Two of the most notable tracks come from the Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom single released in early 2004; "El Monte" is trippy ambient that falls somewhere between Cluster and Manuel Göttsching, while the DFA mix of "Rise" lays electronic percolations and light whipcracks over a four-four disco beat. The terrifically obnoxious "Crass Mix" of LCD Soundsystem's "Yeah" begins as moderately absorbing disco-punk until working itself into a chaotic, screeching acid lather. Some older B-sides are dusted off as well, for both better and worse; sounding like an electro/dub version of a long-lost post-punk A-side, LCD's "Beat Connection" warrants more spins than the borderline novelty hit "Losing My Edge" (as heard on DFA Compilation #1), while the Rapture's Captain Sensible-quoting "Alabama Sunshine" scrawls and stammers for three shrill minutes. A handful of exclusives and future singles round out discs one and two. Beyond a trio of Juan Maclean tracks -- none of which happen to be as dancefloor-friendly as his three A-sides to date -- the most-anticipated track is a vibrant re-imagined version of "Bellhead" from innovative (and recently resuscitated) percussion troupe Liquid Liquid. On disc three, the label's Tim Goldsworthy and Tim Sweeney shrewdly mix several of the tracks heard on the first two, and include a few that aren't present -- such as the sparkling silicone disco-funk of the Juan Maclean's "Give Me Every Little Thing" and the DFA edit of the Rapture's "Echoes." This is the greatest attraction of the whole package. While the package's bulkiness is liable to yield complaints of hubristic overindulgence, it's priced far less than a typical three-disc set. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Casual Friday	Tim Goldsworthy, Christian Holstad, Gavin Russom, Delia Gonzalez	Black Leotard Front	(15:07)
Sunplus [DFA Remix]	Kan Takagi		(4:58)
I Robot	The Juan MacLean	The Juan MacLean	(6:12)
Alabama Sunshine		The Rapture	(2:46)
Rise [DFA Mix]	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, Gavin Russom	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom	(7:26)
Dance Hall Modulator Dub [Dub]	The Juan MacLean	The Juan MacLean	(4:07)
Get Up/Say What	Pixeltan	Pixeltan	(9:10)
Wasteder	Black Dice	Black Dice	(4:28)
Yeah [Pretentious Mix]	Tim Goldsworthy, James Murphy	LCD Soundsystem	(11:06)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Yeah [Crass Version]	Tim Goldsworthy, James Murphy	LCD Soundsystem	(9:23)
Endless Happiness [Eye Remix]	Black Dice	Black Dice	(7:41)
Sunplus	Kan Takagi		(4:58)
Beat Connection	James Murphy, Tim Goldsworthy	LCD Soundsystem	(8:04)
El Monte	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, Gavin Russom	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom	(14:14)
Bellhead	Liquid Liquid	Liquid Liquid	(5:39)
That's the Way I Like It	Pixeltan	Pixeltan	(4:45)
Sister Saviour [DFA Dub][Dub]	The DFA	The Rapture	(4:27)
Less Than Human	The Juan MacLean	The Juan MacLean	(4:14)

CD 3

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Get Up/Say What	Pixeltan	Pixeltan	(5:51)
Echoes [DFA Edit]		The Rapture	(1:20)
Bellhead	Liquid Liquid	Liquid Liquid	(2:40)
Sunplus [DFA Remix]	Kan Takagi		(4:51)
El Monte	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom, Gavin Russom	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom	(3:26)
Give Me Every Little Thing	The Juan MacLean, The DFA, Nancy Whang	The Juan MacLean	(4:42)
Sister Saviour [DFA Dub][Dub]	The DFA	The Rapture	(3:23)
Rise	Gavin Russom, Delia Gonzalez	Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom	(5:29)
I Robot	The Juan MacLean	The Juan MacLean	(4:56)
Endless Happiness [Eye Remix]	Black Dice	Black Dice	(7:35)
On Repeat [Dub][Mix]	James Murphy	LCD Soundsystem	(1:51)
Yeah (crass)/Beat Connection	Tim Goldsworthy, James Murphy	LCD Soundsystem	(10:16)

Credits

Danny Schmidt (Performer), The Eye (Remixing), Paul Gold (Mastering), Steve Revitte (Producer), Steve Revitte (Mixing), The Rapture (Producer), Kudo (Performer), Tim Goldsworthy (Arranger), Tim Goldsworthy (Programming), Tim Goldsworthy (Executive Producer), Tim Goldsworthy (Compilation), Tim Goldsworthy (Mixing), Tim Goldsworthy (Synthesizer Bass), The DFA (Programming), The DFA (Producer), The DFA (Engineer), The DFA (Performer), The DFA (Remixing), The DFA (Mixing), The DFA (Instrumentation), Kan Takagi (Performer), Andy Sarroff (Engineer), Yoshimi P We (Performer), Timothy Saccenti (Photography), Tim Sweeney (Compilation), Tim Sweeney (Mixing), Nancy Whang (Vocals), Nancy Whang (Performer), Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom (Arranger), Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom (Performer), James Murphy (Performer), James Murphy (Executive Producer), Jonathan Galkin (Executive Producer), Eric Broucek (Vocals), Eric Broucek (Producer), Eric Broucek (Assistant), Mandy Coon (Vocals), Christian Holstad (Arranger), Christian Holstad (Performer), Gavin Russom (Arranger), Gavin Russom (Performer), Mike Vadino (Cover Design), Black Leotard Front (Performer)