Ulrich Schnauss – Missing Deadlines

I’m not the greatest at writing reviews, and try not to make a habit of it. But seeing as this is Ulrich Schnauss’ first release in quite a while (albeit a remix compilation), it’s a perfect time to talk about the man behind some of my favourite music ever produced, not to mention the inspiration for this blog.

The Ulrich fans out there will recognise that some of the remixes from ‘Missing Deadlines’ have been out for a while so may be a little disappointed at first look. But, with some of his biggest remixes missing from the compilation, you’ve got to wonder why he selected these lucky few for his first ever self orchestrated remix compilation? Here’s a little hint of what to expect…

1 Howling Bells: Setting Sun
Ulrich takes the western-style guitar licks from the original and wraps them in trademark style Schnauss beats. How to turn a track into classic shoegaze? This is how.

2 A Sunny Day In Glasgow: Ghost in the Graveyard
From the off, you’re hit with trademark Schnauss oscillating drums. Ulrich keeps close to the original and turns it into a growing, progressive monster similar to ‘Goodbye‘, with hints of ‘On My Own‘. I hadn’t heard this remix until now, and it’s definitely one of my favourites.

3 Katharina Franck: Faithful Friend
Starting with Katharina’s haunting atmospheric vocal,  Ulrich slowly turns the acoustic original into a synth led dream.  This is the kind of remix which amazes me when comparing the start to the end. How the hell did we get here? Oh right, that’s it, Ulrich remixed it.

4 Madrid: Out to Sea
Drums eased down, and the originals funk-like bass shown the door, Ulrich turns it wispy and ethereal.

5 Asobi Seksu: Strawberries
The original is just waiting to be stripped and rearranged. Like a master and his apprentice, Ulrich shows how. Tone down the guitars and emphasise the beautiful vocal with multi-layered synths.
Listen here

6 Dragons: Remembrance
A haunting, yet beautiful original, it would have been wrong to start adding a different textures or unnecessary melodies. Sometimes, just the smallest of touches are needed.

7 Aus: Halo
The climax of Ulrich’s isolatedmix, and one of the more ambient tracks on the compilation.  It’s not often Ulrich goes beat-less throughout. A structure similar to ‘Blumenthal‘ and the beauty of ‘Monday Paracetamol‘. That should do the trick.

8 Mahogany: Supervitesse
I love the polar opposite of the half-spoken male vocal and angelic female voice in the original. Here, Ulrich puts more emphasis on the separation, giving each part its own signature sound and atmosphere. Again a more chilled version than the original, the complementing sections progress together to form a beautiful remix.

9 Lunz (Roedelius & Tim Story): Lunz
Sounding similar to Ulrich’s remix of Chapterhouse’s ‘Love Forever’; the melody of the original is welcomed in from the cold and wrapped in Ulrich Schnauss drum world.
Listen here

10 Rachel Goswell: Coastline
When you’re remixing the vocalist for shoegaze pioneers Slowdive and Mojave 3, the original was always going to be close to perfect. Ulrich makes it perfection.
Listen here

11 High Violets: Chinese Letter
Improving on the original, Ulrich takes the High Violets even higher, adding ethereal layers and turning Chinese Letter in to electronic shoegaze heaven.
Listen here

12 Mark Gardener: Story of the eye
I’m not a massive fan of the vocal on this track and an instrumental version may have suited this compilation better. I kept expecting a break, or the track to slow down, allowing the melody to shine through, but unfortunately it never happens. But for those that do like the vocal, Ulrich builds around it in trademark style, making the original that little more dreamy.
Listen here.

13 I’m Not a Gun: Make Sense and Loose
This remix has been floating about for a long time, and wouldn’t be out-of-place on any of his previous albums. The original set the pace, and Ulrich just built and built, expanding on the melody and adding layer upon layer.
Listen here

14 Mojave 3: Bluebird of Happiness
Save the best until last. A beautiful original, but with extra Schnauss. Nothing much, but just enough. Gotta find a way back home.

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Missing Deadlines is a testament to Ulrich’s musical abilities, and unique talent to spot the most beautiful elements within tracks, accentuating them where necessary. Most remixes stay close to the original, with additional trademark drum patterns, ethereal synths and reverb-laden vocals. For those expecting telltale Schnauss, it’s there in all its glory, but so is the respect for the musical qualities which made the track special in the first place. The melody, the beautiful vocal, the atmospheric ambience, or the deep emotion.

Some of Ulrich’s best remixes aren’t included such Justin Robertson’s ‘Love Movement‘ and Chapterhouse’s ‘Love Forever‘, but i guess this isn’t a compilation celebrating his best remixes. Instead, the talented musicians he’s had the chance to work with…

”Essentially what makes me really happy about this album is the fact that it’s a selection of the – in my opinion – best mixes from a musical point of view, rather than a compilation of the commercially most successful ones, or the tracks that have the biggest names associated with them. In all cases, the original songs are already great in their own right – which made it really inspiring to work with them.” – Ulrich Schnauss

Missing Deadlines is out on March 22nd 2010 on Rocket Girl Records.

Ulrich’s next album is due some time this year…
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Listen to Ulrich Schnauss’ isolatedmix
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