Customer Reviews

Attraction to All Things Uncertain

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

At first I was somewhat skeptical, while I love Vrenna's remix work and am a big Six Degrees fan, I never would have guessed on a union between that particular artist and label. But my fears were quite unfounded. Certainly not techno, certainly not industrial, certainly not ambient or worldbeat, Tweaker's really made an album with a sound uniquely it's own while building upon foundations from many genres.

While many of the songs are quite different in structure, one of the commonalities across songs is something I can only call "thickness". Each song has alot of things going on, and even the simple songs have multiple layers of sound, insturments moving in and out of the mix. Of course, this being Vrenna, the percussion (both live and programmed) throughout is wonderfully emotive, complex, and excellent. But what makes this album amazing for me is that instead of being a percussive-dominant album, the amazing rhythm work is merely one part of the collage, and the guitars, vocals, samples, and programming create a really addictive brew, somehow both challenging and hook-laden at the same time.

The songs with guest vocalists feel like the most "traditional" songs on the disc (Craig Wedren's voice is just stellar on his two tracks), and while they are all excellent, I feel it's in the insturmentals where this disc really shines. "Swamp" rocks out like a great NIN insturmental with nice crunchy guitar and drum licks, while "Turned" could be mistaken for a spaced-out Orb tune with layers of reverb and chirping birds. "Drive-Bye" would be as at home on 4AD as Six Degrees, while "Microsize Boy" is a wonderful slice of vocoder and punchy drums. And while each song might have it's own unique sound, the "thickness" of the music allows the whole album to blend amazingly well, so instead of jumping all over the map it comes off as cohesive and connected.

All in all, this one of my most pleasant surprises of the year. I was expecting a decent album to play a few times, then probably forget. Instead I found a genreless album that's guaranteed a spot in heavy rotation for quite a while. (The Beautiful packaging of the disc is an added bonus as well)

to start off, yes, christ vrenna was the drummer for NIN, and no, this cd does not sound like "the downward spiral" or "broken." it is a completely different sound. but that is probably to be expected, seeing as how when one does one's own solo project they can do whatever they please. it may not sound like NIN, but you can here a hint of influence in it. very electronic, featuring the voices of many other persons, other than himself. NIN is one of my favorite bands, and so is tweaker. i recommend that all of you buy this cd if you enjoy good music, which this most certainly is. it is always in my cd player. just check it out, you'll be happy

Well...being a big NIN fan i picked up Chris Vrenna's solo full length in hopes for some good music during the usual Trent Reznor four year drought. It is a good album, a little too electronic for my tastes in some parts, but it is growing on me. Definately far surpasses anything mtv plays these days. Original, organic blend of rock/electronic type stuff. Not a dissapointment at all. I'd recomend this to anyone who is in the modd for something different and atmospheric. Good music will always prevail...

I've found myself listening to TATATU a lot recently, gearing up in anticipation for Tweaker's upcoming second album, "2 a.m. Wakeup Call". This type of music is definitely not for everyone, but for those who decide to venture in, they won't be disappointed. This album is intended to be listened to on a rainy day, when you have plenty of time to just relax, have a few cups of coffee, and possibly just stare out a window or outside a patio into the bleak overcast.

On the 4 vocal tracks, the guest appearances by David Sylvian, Will Oldham, and Craig Wedren are all exceptionally well done, and fit nicely. The lyrics sung on "Microsize Boy" are entirely mechanic and go excellent with the mood at this point of the album. After this track, the pace slows down significantly, almost as if to reflect on the previous 9 tracks, most of which all pulse with intense drum beats and synths. It picks back up again for the final two tracks, "After All" and "Come Play".

All in all, a 4/5 star performance for me, with only a few minor weak points throughout the entire album, but easily forgivable ones at that. You really need to listen for yourself to understand the concept. After hearing the first released track, "Ruby", off the second Tweaker album, there is no doubt in my mind it will go above and beyond what TATATU did. Here, Vrenna was only scratching the surface...

Standout Tracks: Linoleum, Years From Now, Swamp, The Drive-bye, Take Me Alive, Microsize Boy

This compelling little record is mostly instrumental electronic music, although Vrenna does incorporate guitars and other instruments. It is appropriately trippy, sometimes rocking out quite a bit. The songs with vocals do stand out for obvious reasons (character, good lyrical content), especially the opener "Linoleum" with ghostly vocals by David Sylvian spiked with a roaring guitar. There's a song called "Microsize Boy" which employs a vocoder that's a lot of fun. This album is great for road trips.

I received this cd for christmas, and since then it has become one of my favorite cds. Each track is distinct and fascinating, with an often quirky sense of humor (track 9)as well as an extremely dark feel (track 5). The songs seem to pulse and breathe, and it is hard not to be moved by them. All in all an excellent cd.

My brain didn't quite catch everything on the first listen... I enjoyed it much more the second time around. Not quite the norm, and not quite Nine Inch Nails, Vrenna has a new take on techno that I like. Probably a good starter for someone not too into techno...

Most of the tracks are great ones. Swamp and Linoleum are perhaps the easiest ones to start on...

This album is VERY eclectic! Many different sounds and genres are combined. Industrial, trance, ambient, rock. I really enjoyed this album!
It's kinda stupid for these other reviewers to compare these guys to NIN. NIN is great but Tweaker definatley has merit. I think its unfair to compare the two because both have such different qualities.

P.S- Whoever the reviewer was that said this album had dance music breaks inbetween songs is INSANE. You wouldn't know real "dance" music if it bit you in the A$$.

Anyways... Please hear it for yourself.

I found this CD interesting but not as novel as "2 A.M. was. it had some very nice moments though.

I was looking for techno music, but more new age when I happened upon Tweaker. The music is crazy! I might like it for certain things, or certain moods, but it wasn't what I expected at all (based on the sound clips on the website). It is just my personal opinion. I'm sure there are plenty of people who would like the music. It is kind of a mish-mash of sounds put together.