17 May 2010
entertainment-focus.comGreg
Read full review HERE
William Fitzsimmons has followed the success of his folk album The Sparrow and the Crow with Derivatives, a collection of remixes, alternative versions and a cover. It's an interesting departure for the usually-introspective, melancholic and acoustic singer-songwriter. At first glance, electronic mixes of his songs may seem as incongruous as you can get, but the new sounds surrounding favourite melodies retain the core ethos of the songs, providing a different angle on them rather than an entirely new canvas. I Don't Feel It Anymore kicks off the collection, and it's a longer version than original, slowly built around an electronic beat redolent of New Order, which periodically carries the song in the absence of vocals. It's remixed by George Raquet and features Brooke Fraser's vocals. The collection ends with what's bound to be the biggest talking point of the collection - a cover version of Katy Perry's catchy pop song I Kissed A Girl, which is the second seemingly-incongruous aspect of the album. It works well acoustically, without the electronic sound of much of the rest of the album. Keeping the melody the same, Fitzsimmons creates a level of introspection with his gentle, thoughtful vocals.
The songs on Derivatives aren't better or worse than the originals, but they will offer Fitzsimmons' fans something new, which they are sure to enjoy.