Search - Leaether Strip :: Yes: I'm Limited, Vol. 3

Hot on the heels of volume 2 comes the third in this remix series from Denmark's Claus Larsen, a.k.a. Leaether Strip. Unlike volume 2, it's not that the songs are bad this time around--indeed, over a two-disc set we're treated to some inventive takes on both early as well as more recent LS material--but the same question applies here as it did on volume 2: Do you really need this if you're not a die-hard fan? Probably not, especially if you've been keeping up with most of the original albums. But you could do worse than this collection if you're a dabbler in the industrial-dance genre. Disc 1--three songs taken exclusively from LS's 1997 album, Self-Inflicted, and remixed ad nauseam--features some great takes on "Coming Up for Air" (especially Ravenous's symphonic mix) and "Hate Me!" (particularly Birmingham 6's rhythmic tweaking). Other remixers include Funker Vogt and synth-poppers Dark Illumination. Disc 2 is a mixed bag of refurbished older material, live tracks, demos, and an unreleased song, "Murder." Most fascinating are a couple of primitive two-track demos Larsen did in the early '80s--they possess a charming, cheesy, early-Depeche Mode quality sure to bring a smile to your face. Claus, you've come a long way, baby. --Steve Landau