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Electrifying! Sounds of Remixed-Retrofuturism

I’m talking about Cindy Byrdsong! The hit song that isn’t a hit song that you probably don’t know about! The original song was composed in 1959 using a new device invented by Raymond Scott (also the composer), called the Electronium. It was a synthesizer of sorts that could create musical patterns and modulate them to create its own music, as well as program music. That version was called Cindy Electronium, but was remixed and added to in 2014 by other artists to make this version.

I single out this version in particular because I think it is better. It keeps the strange novelty of the original recordings' sound which was so revolutionary at the time, while also filling it out and making it something that can truly stick in the mind as a full song. Raymond scott was a composer and songwriter yes, but many of his Electronium pieces come across more as sound experiments than full songs. I still enjoy and listen to these, but they are lacking something.

In 2014, Raymond Scott Rewired, came out as a collaboration between The Bran Flakes, The Evolution Control Committee, and Go Home Productions who worked to remix, record with, and polish original Raymond Scott pieces from his large and often experimental repertoire. This song in particular features Go Home Productions and they added guitar, drums, and keyboard parts.

I really like this version because it gives the song a real groove and the remixing they did to the structure of the song remains somewhat faithful to the original while keeping things entertaining and not one-note. The guitar melody is truly one of the defining features of the song as it duels back and forth with a synth line from the original. They take turns during the first half of the song and work best together. 

Around the halfway point, the groove shifts and feels slower as the groove becomes heavier and droning sounds begin to enter the background. This shift remains within the confines of the first part of the original song, but changes things up enough to truly keep me engaged.

Then, the song takes on the coda of the original: an arpeggiated synth line which soon gets accompanied by a new guitar part. Here, the drums pick up again and make for a good end to the song. Finally, the arpeggiated synth (a feature in the original) stands on its own as it dissonantly ends the song with odd notes.

Overall, I really enjoy this song, along with this entire album. It truly revitalizes the work of Raymond Scott to be more engaging to a wider audience, and I appreciate that. That being said, I think the spirit of all of these songs remained unbroken by this remixing process. Some other tracks I enjoy off of this album are Very Very Very Pretty Petticoat and Ripples on an Evaporated Lake. Check it out!!!!!