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Plumb
Beautiful History – A Hits Collection
Curb
23 tracks
www.plumbinfo.com

BEAUTIFUL HISTORY – A HITS COLLECTION is missing too many of Plumb’s best songs to succeed as a comprehensive ‘greatest hits’ album. Only one track from BEAUTIFUL LUMPS OF COAL appears (“Real”), one from her most recent release BLINK (and not the full song, either, but the radio edit of “In My Arms”), and zero from her hard-edged s/t release. The highlight is new recordings of three tracks from Miss Lee’s sophomore album, CANDYCOATEDWATERDROPS. “Stranded” and “Here With Me” are worthy updates, while the new version of “God-Shaped Hole” improves a weak-but-popular track significantly.

Tagging along with the trio of remakes is a remix of the powerful, sensitive “Damaged”, previously available as a bonus track on the fantastic CHAOTIC RESOLVE album, which itself receives four slots on the disc. “I Can’t Do This” and “Cut” are completely deserving of their spots but the inclusion “Blush” is disappointing when there are better songs like the upbeat “Real-Life Fairy Tale” or dance/rock “Motion” to choose from The inexplicable absence of either “Crazy” or “Sobering (Don’t Turn Around)” from the s/t is compounded by the lack of other great songs like “Sleep,” “Hold Me,” or “Go.” Granted, every fan has their favorites, but the song selection and album representation is woefully inadequate. The two new songs are quality Plumb tunes, particularly the moody, pleading Twilight-inspired “Hang On.”

Essential to note is the album’s second disc, which features 11 techno/club/trance remixes. Plumb has always transitioned well into the dance market and the remixes presented here are no exception. “Cut,” “Hang On,” “Always,” and “In My Arms” receive several remixes each from different artists including Bimbo Jones and long-time Plumb collaborator (and former Jars of Clay member) Matt Bronleewe.

As a hits collection, BEAUTIFUL HISTORY doesn’t make the cut. It doesn’t offer lapsed fans rediscovering the artist any real insight into the Plumb journey and doesn’t offer enough to fans who already have all these albums. The remixes are well worth the money if you’re into that side of Plumb, but listeners who missed out on her more recent works CHAOTIC RESOLVE and BLINK would be far better served to pick up the albums proper, and truly experience Plumb’s exceptionally ‘beautiful history.’

Tags: 2009 Releases, Plumb

This entry was posted on Monday, November 30th, 2009 at 6:41 PM and is filed under REVIEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.