Nine Inch Nails: Y34RZ3R3M1X3D (Year Zero Remixed)

Look, if you read this blog with any sort of consistency, you'd know that Shawn and I basically worship the ground Trent walks on. We're Nail-heads. We're in our 30's. NIN was the soundtrack of our young adult lives. NIN is just getting better and better. That's my opionion and I'm sticking to it. We're not even talking about the free downloads, Garageband files, interactive games and general connectivity to the fans here...

So instead of going on and on about how wonderful this official remix album is and type up a quasi-intellectual analysis on its virtues, just listen to the Mp3s and come to your own conclusion, 'kay? Cause really, I'm fucking tired this time of year (if I get another ABEND call from work, I'm going to shoot someone) and I'd rather just spend some quiet time listening to this album than trying to connect with the virtual world right now.

Listen to:
"My Violent Heart" (Pirate Robot Midget)
"Great Destroyer" (Mod Wheel Mood Remix)
"Another Version of the Truth" (Kronos Quartet and Enrique Gonzalez Muller)

Visit:
Nine Inch Nails Official Website
Remix Nin (cool remix site with downloadable toolset to mangle/enhance tracks by Nine Inch Nails)
Buy Year Zero Remixed at Amazon

On a slightly different note, enjoy:

Rasputina: On Perilous World

The first time I experienced Rasputina was in college back when they were touring with Marilyn Manson in the late 90's. Back then I would have classified the inscrutable cello playing Victorian garb clad ladies as industrial rock even though that title didn't quite fit. They were definitely dark, mysterious and oh-so-talented. Fast forward to only a few months ago at Austin's Parish night club where I saw them perform live again after several years and I say they were more folk rock, comprised of 2 cello players and a drummer, clad in...Cowboy vs. Indians garb???? But, still just as talented and wildly dynamic.

(As a total side note, a bunch of us could not figure out what the object in Melora's updo was exactly...taper candle, large crochet hook or worn feather? Anyone know?)

Point is, Rasputina is incredibly difficult to classify but always a joy to listen to.

On Perilous World marks the 6th full length album from this group and thematically it loosely follows world events. In the words of Melora Creager, the lead:

"I wrote the songs featured on Oh Perilous World over the last two years when I realized that current world events were more bizarre than anything I could scrounge up from the distant past," she says. "I obsessively read daily news on the Internet and copied words, phrases and whole stories that especially intrigued me and compiled a vast notebook of this material."

Intriguing lyrics aside, you'll find this album full of interesting harmonies, "rant" singing, ample use of recorder, cowbell and other odd instruments along with the expected cello and drums. Over the years Melora's voice has become more solid and sweet sounding and it really contrasts well with some of the not-so-uplifting subjects she sings about.

If you're one of those people out there who dig Apocolytica or sit around worshiping the likes of Nigel Kennedy, Mark Woods or Vanessa Mae...it's time to branch out a bit and experience some Rasputina.

Listen to:
"Cage "In a Cave"
"The Question of Time"

Visit:
Rasputina's Official Website
Rasputina's Myspace
Rasputina's Wiki Entry
Buy Oh Perilous World from Amazon

Polynya: Polynya

I was excited to receive my Polynya album in the mail today. With the gamut of industrial bands I've been listening to and reviewing lately (at this point I might as well have a sticker affixed to my forehead that says "Metropolis Records Whore" ) having a nice record that snuggles comfortably in the wide family of alt/indie rock is a welcome change of pace. Luke, who does guitars and "twinkles" for the group was kind enough to provide the disk for review and I must say it was a worthwhile listen.

The first band that popped into my mind as a comparison was the Czech Republic's Miou-Miou as they share a lot of similar traits: toe tapping rhythms and sweet vocals enhanced by interesting guitar work. If Miou-Miou is too obscure of a reference then Moonbabies or Mazzy Star might serve as a good comparison as well. If you like their sound, then I think you'd really enjoy Polynya. With its friendly keyboard, guitar and bass composition, these guys produce good-mood tunes that could easily cater to a myriad of musical tastes. Perfect "hang out" music, in my opinion. The added plinky-sounding electronic elements (which I'm assuming are the "twinkles") apparent on each track provide just enough support to keep the songs interesting without overwhelming the overall sound which feels very acoustic at times, interestingly. In fact, the thing that struck me the most about this album is the engineering---it doesn't exhibit the tinny over-processed frequencies that many new albums seem to possess these days and this is a good thing!

CD packaging is clean and simple with handwritten font and interesting cover art that resembles primary pigment watercolor splotches. There aren't separate liner notes containing lyrics, but its not a huge issue since vocalists Amelia and Andrea are easy to understand.

Listen to:
"Without a Trace"
"Where am I?"

Watch (live version of "Sweatshop"):


Visit:
Polynya's Official Website
Polynya's Myspace

Garbage: Garbage

Look what I found!

Since my dad passed away recently, my mom has decided to move out of the house I grew up in. That's 21 years that she's lived in that house. Weekends lately have been spent cleaning, flensing and reminiscing. The last visit turned up this lovely jewel, Garbage's first album (self titled), sitting beneath a pile of discarded homecoming mums in my closet.

1995 was when this one came out. Back then I was still in marching band, musing over whether or not I should retake my SATs and writing scholarship essays. This was back when Shirley Manson was still a redhead (side note, I had no idea the gal was teased in school for her looks. I've always thought that she was really hot...and she's aged incredibly well, I must say.)

Anyhow, this album has aged well too. It's definitely alt rock/pop yet doesn't sound dated at all. Had I heard this album today, I would have still purchased it due to the catchy tunes and clever lyrics. I would dare say that this'll be placed in my "classic" pile...

Listen to:
"Queer"
"Stupid Girl"

Visit:
Garbage's Official Website
Garbage's MySpace
Garbage Wiki Entry
Purchase Garbage from Amazon


(photo courtesy of very cool)