Customer Reviews

2 A.M. Wakeup Call

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

. . . and the best album I've heard in a long while.

"ruby" - sounds like an uncertain netherworld that lies between consciousness and sleep. Employs a style similar to my still favorite tweaker track ("linoleum") which involves punctuating a gorgeous song with roaring guitars. This one's a killer, and Will Oldham has such a haunting voice. ***** INCREDIBLE

"cauterized" - an ominous instrumental. Creating palpable atmospheres you can virtually slide into doesn't get any better than this album . . . *****

"worse than yesterday" - Chris Vrenna is so much more than a mere percussionist, but the electronic rhythms he creates are in a class of their own. This particular song is a real downer, but a beautiful one. ****1/2

"truth is" - this slinky track features Robert Smith in a somewhat tragicomic serial-seducer mode, like a misogynist buttering up his prey. Unlike some other reviewers here, I'm a HUGE Cure fan. Obviously Chris Vrenna is as well, and many of the excellent electronic sounds used here were pioneered by the Cure. I'll concede that The Cure's latest self-titled release was a disappointment (and the singing was harder than ever for Cure detractors to take), but Smith pulls off a luscious lower key register on "truth is." The track is loaded with dripping electronics and pounding drum muscle at the chorus - it's one of the coolest tracks I've heard Smith on in a while. ****1/2

"remorseless" - a jarring, infectious techno track. ****1/2

"pure genius" - is a further exploration of what is probably a diabolically psychotic mind. Or maybe it's about a master card shark . . . gotta say, I really love Vrenna's taste in music and/or guest singers - David Sylvian's discography is another one of my obsessions. "pure genius" has a really sexy lounge-jazz feel to it, but it's also kinda creepy . . . *****

"it's still happening" - this song is HIGH: it's my favorite track on 2 A.M. WAKEUP CALL. Worth the price of admission alone . . . the singer has an otherworldly, almost Middle-Eastern voice and the vibe is ecstatic. ***** TIPS THE GOD SCALE

"2 a.m." - what will really blow you away is the incredible musicianship all over the album. This particular track has tuneful, twinkling guitar and out-of-this-world orchestration. Peaceful and uplifting. *****

"movement of fear" - written in part by Daniel Ash and Kevin Haskins (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets - yet more artists I love). This song comes from the days they were together in Tones On Tail. The singer sounds like Daniel Ash, but he isn't credited (- who's singing?). Thundering atmosphere with synths that drip like hot glue, an excellent Spanish-tinged trumpet - this song is yet another highlight in an album of highlights. *****

"sleepwalking away" - sounds like it could've been a great Siouxsie B-side (some of her best songs are "downside up") - polyrhythms abound and the chorus is fantastically punky. But the singer is actually Nick Young - clearly a new voice to listen for. *****

"the house I grew up in" - we're getting deep into the night as indicated by some random network on T.V. signing off into the wires with "America the Beautiful," followed by static and Johnny Marr's expertly strummed acoustic guitar. Marr certainly proves he is still in the upper echelon of guitarists on this track. It's an extremely moving instrumental. *****

"crude sunlight" - a record needle repeating the rhythm of a run-out groove gets transformed into a sensuous snare drum, then guest singer Jennifer Charles uses her oh-so-sexy voice to slice open her heart for us and pour out her darkest recesses. This cut squeezes my soul - it's also the best track on the album. ***** TRIP-HOP IN SEVENTH HEAVEN ECSTASY

. . . destined to be an all-time favorite.

Chris Vrenna's Tweaker project has grown. Whereas "The Attraction to All Things Uncertain" was a decent album that showed a lot of good ideas but sometimes felt a bit too much like Vrenna's old employer, "2 a.m. Wakeup Call" is a step in the right direction. Inspired largely by his wife's insomnia, and joined this time by songwriting/construction partner Clint Walsh, vrenna delivers a much more varied and satisfying listen.

All in all, the album holds together nicely, with a dark and subdued tone, hinting at frustration, tension and impatience. It works significantly better as a statement, with the vocalist feeling additive rather than opposing as they often felt on the previous album. The music ranges from goofy and bouncey to subdued and minimalist to explosive, loud and aggressive. And while gues Robert Smith probably steals the show with his almost lazy sounding vocal on the constantly shifting "Truth Is", the whole record has got its moments, from the nearly Jane's Addiction energy of "It's Still Happening" to the delicate and plodding "Crude Sunlight" to the unnervingly haunting and brilliant Tones on Tail cover, "Movement of Fear".

It's not quite the masterpiece you'd like it to be, but its a rather good record, and its well worth the investment for fans of unique music. Recommended.

Former Nine Inch Nails collaborator/drummer Chris Vrenna is mostly known for production and remix work with an impressive array of artists including U2, David Bowie, Smashing Pumpkins, Lords of Acid, VAST, and Rob Zombie. Vrenna calls Tweaker his "quasi-solo project." 2 a.m. wakeup call is the follow-up to his 2001 debut the attraction of all things uncertain.

2 a.m is a concept album based on dreams, nightmares and insomnia-anything and everything that keeps us up at night. Vrenna, and co-conspirator Clint Walsh (formerly of Jack Off Jill) drew inspiration for the project from the time when the world is fast asleep-a time when Vrenna's wife suffers insomnia, bolting awake every night at the same time-2 a.m.

I was prepared for the same programmed noises that characterized Tweaker's debut, but then, Vrenna pulled the rug out from under my ears. In these songs, he reveals a more skillful arrangement that exploits the best of his collaborations with varied guest performers Robert Smith (The Cure), Johnny Marr (The Smiths), wunderkind Jonathan Bates (aka Mellowdrone), musician/actor Will Oldham, Hamilton Leithauser (The Walkmen), Nick Young (1/2 of the Young brothers who form 2/3 of the group A.I. that also happens to feature Pablo Manzarek, son of The Doors' Ray Manzarek), David Sylvian (Japan) and Jennifer Charles (Elysian Fields). Each collaborator was asked "What keeps you up at night? What do you dream about?" The result was each singer's interpretation of their answers in lyrical form. Vrenna took great pains to include live drums, acoustic guitar, piano, and glockenspiel, capturing an emotional, organic performance.

2 a.m. is a masterful work, an incredible array of layers and textures that takes a third, a fifth and a twentieth listen to catch. But the listen is well worth it.

01. Ruby
((slow song that gets heavy toward the end))
02. Cauterized
((spooky instrumental))
03. Worse Than Yesterday
((catchy depressing song))
04. Truth Is
((uplifting song))
05. Remorseless
((an eerie instrumental))
06. Pure Genius
((slow "hippish" kind of song))
07. It's Happening Again
((another slow yet uplifting song))
08. 2 A.M.
((acoustic eerie/spooky instrumental))
09. Movement Of Fear
((slow haunting song))
10. Sleepwalking Away
((another catchy slow song))
11. The House I Grew Up In
((another eerie instrumental))
12. Crude Sunlight
((a long depressing song with the album's only female vocals))

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy both Tweaker albums, but this one to me just isn't as strong musically or lyrically. The production of Attraction featured a number of guest vocalists who wrote the lyrics as well; the album didn't have a specific topic if you will, while this one which I guess was meant to have such a thing, but the guest-written vocals steer pretty clear from thoughts of insomnia/paranoia.

Some of the same vocalists are back, while others are less welcomed in my opinion; Robert Smith in all of my honesty is a complete moron, and his childish lyrics and cheesy vocals don't make me think otherwise; he ruins a really great song for me.

Sylvian is back, and does some awesome work on 'Pure Genius'; these two tracks between Sylvian and Smith are the extremes of best/worst vocal pieces, with the rest reaching closer to Sylvian's, if that makes sense.

The music goes along the heavily-produced electronic/trip-hop/industrial feel of the first album, while at times a little messy or lacking. There's a bit more range in the style though, with a bit more ambience.

But the one thing that just kind of gets to me is how similar the albums are arranged; each album begins with a slow atmospheric vocal track that hits off later with heavy guitars; I think it worked much better with Linoleum than Ruby. Many of the song structures are similar on both albums, and fall into a narrow and predictable range.

There are also fewer instrumentals, which is a little turn-off for me, and as I said before most of the lyrical content distracts from what Vrenna was obviously attempting.

Still, this album has some awesome material, really awesome (my favorites include Crude Sunlight, Pure Genious, Cauterized, and It's Still Happening, which is one of the few 'on-topic' vocal tracks). I just feel like I can't give it more than 3 stars.

2 A.M. Wakeup Call is the second album from producer, remixer, ex former Nine Inch Nails drummer Chris Vrenna under the name Tweaker. Continuing his fondness for conceptual works, 2 A.M. is a journey through a variety of nocturnal disturbances. Warm tones of piano and acoustic guitar moderate the electronic flourishes, taking the chill off songs exploring insomnia-inducing subjects like deep depression ("Worse Than Yesterday"), the manic mind ("Pure Genius") and somnambulism ("Sleepwalking Away"). 2 A.M. also finds the composer crafting tunes for interpretation by other voices, though Vrenna had guest vocalists (including David Sylvian, Robert Smith and Will Oldham) write their unique lyrical visions for his mini-soundtracks.I was disappointed with the first album but 2 A.M Wakeup Call is a brillant work from Chris Vrenna.

I was super-psyched when Chris Vrenna released "The Attraction to All Things Uncertain." My CD collection is basically the "X-Degree of Trent Reznor", so I ran out and got it right away. While TATATU showed signs of promise, I wasn't overly thrilled with it. While songs like "The Drive-Bye" and "Microsize Boy" really stood out, and "Swamp" showed the influence of Vrenna on NIN and vice versa, the disc as a whole felt really, REALLY disjointed.

"2 A.M. Wakeup Call", a concept album about the wee hours of the morning, kicks the living snot out of TATATU. I've actually listened to this disc during some all-nighters, and it made the all-nighters SO much more bearable. "Ruby", the opening track, starts off slowly enough, but builds up with an agressive chrous and guitar work. "Cauterized" is an excellent, NIN-like eerie instrumental with these half-hummed, indiscernable "voices" in the background. Most excellent. "Worse than Yesterday", featuring up-and-coming artist Mellowdrone, is another slow piano-and-synth piece. Very mellow, how appropriate (note to self: find more stuff from Mellowdrone).

"Truth Is" has THE Robert Smith, from THE Cure. Now, call me crazy, but I don't see what the big deal about the Cure is. I don't care for their style. I don't care for his singing. The music on this track, along with the chorus, is catchy enough for me to listen to it, though. "Remorseless" is another little instrumental, electronic ditty. It's neat, it fits the theme, and segues nicely into "Pure Genius." David Sylvian, back from the first record, gives us one of the best tracks on the CD, hands down. It has this really slinky, late-night smoke-filled-bar or casino feel to it, and has SO much character to it. It rocks. "It's Still Happening" feels like it could have been right at home on TATATU, with an upbeat electric rhythm.

"2 A.M." really captures the feel of a sleepy summer evening. Slow guitar, with a mellow ambient droning... wow, this song is making me sleepy. Moving on! "Movement of Fear" changes the tone of the CD, with a sinister ambient vibe to it, but the tone goes right back with "Sleepwalking Away". This track, along with the last two, almost feel like a three-part outro; they flow together that well. All three are calming, and the guitar work and the National Anthem on "The House I Grew Up In" is just spectacular, making it my favorite track from the CD.

This CD is easily in my top five favorite albums, especially because I wasn't sure what to expect with it. The guests on the CD really enhance it as well; it's as diverse a set of songs as you'll ever find. You don't have to be a fan of NIN or their ilk to like this CD, you just have to like good music with a concept. I can have the worst of days, pop this CD in when I get home, and by the time "Crude Sunlight" closes, things aren't so bad.

An excellent follow up to an excellent debut from Chris Vrenna, Tweaker - 2 A.M. Wakeup Call is a much more focused and mature album than its predecessor, The Attraction To All Things Uncertain. The concept this time out are dreams, nightmares, insomia, the things that keep us up at night. Guest vocalists making a return from the previous album are Will Oldham singing on "Ruby" and David Sylvian singing on "Pure Genius." 2AMWUPC is more song driven than TATATU, featuring memorable tracks such as "Ruby", "Sleepwalking Away", "Truth is", and "It's Still happening." It's a wonderful trip through a nightime setting with different characters contributing to an overall theme, which is beautifully concluded in "Crude Sunlight." Definitely worth a buy, as is the debut album.

I have been listening to this record for a few months now and it still seems amazing. Chris Vrenna who used to be in Nine Inch Nails has made one of those highly collaborative records. When some in the past like Just Jack have not been so great, Tweaker turns out to be a great journey. The first song "Ruby" features Will Oldham and has the feel of a Nine Inch Nail track. "Worse Than Yesterday" is more melodic. "Truth Is" with Robert Smith is pretty good jazzy track. David Sylvian adds some ambient atmospherics on "Pure Genius." The best songs on the CD is probably "It's Still Happening" with Hamilton Leithauser (of The Walkmen). It's has all the best dynamics of rock and electronic music and how Leithauser could be a pretty good singer in any type of band. Johnny Marr and Jennifer Charles make some minor contributions as well. Jennifer Charles pulls off the Hope Sandoval/Dot Allison bit on the final song "Crude Sunlight." It is a diverse record but it comes together. It's not a goth affair. It's more like UNKLE or Death in Vegas when all is said and done. Live they are generic.

First I would like to say that it is exceedingly rare for me to find an album I deem worthy of a 5 star rating, but this album fully deserves it! My suggestion to you, the first time you listen to the album, sit down and listen to the whole thing straight through. It will take you on a weird and wondrous journey through the twilight mind and imagination of our creator's twilight world, Chris Vrenna. With amazing bluesy saxes and the absolutely incredible synthetic talents of Tweaker, you will hear a style completely unique and completely groovin' ! With a host of guest appearances rivaling Pigface's, including the Cure's very own Robert Smith, the odd and ultimately genius synthesis the likes of which Ohgr himself would have a hard time keeping up with, a super groovy, and the oh so very listenable atmosphere the likes of The The, this is not an album you want to miss. Rarely does an album come out that is able to pull off such uniqueness, blend so many different elements, and at the same time be so darn good! My props to Tweaker! I wait with baited breath for your upcoming tour!