Customer Reviews

Body of Work

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard of Nitzer Ebb (is it nit-zer or night-zer ebb?) waaaaay back in '89 as a senior in high school (yes, I'm that old). I was introduced to them by a now-defunct show called VideoSpin on PBS. VideoSpin was playing a video from them called "Hearts And Minds". The video was frenetic and fast-paced with Bon Harris banging away on the drums and Doug McCarthy singing and looking his fiercest as the camera zoomed in and out on him. Fast and furious beats too! At the time, I was like, "Wow, these guys are interesting."

Back in college, I owned the Belief CD for awhile and even listened to the Showtime CD. Then I lost interest. However, within the last couple of years, watching their music videos online has sparked my interest in the band once again (see "Control I'm Here" and "Lightning Man" if you can). And so, when I found out that the Body Of Work compilation would be coming out, I knew I had to have it! The compilation does not disappoint in the least bit. You have nineteen tracks on the first disc and then thirteen remixes on the second one. Minimalist techno beats that happen to be both menacing and fast coupled with pulsating synth lines also happen to make addictive listening. And let's not forget Doug's hostile, urgent growling vocals too! This is definitely some of the best industrial music or EBM (electronic best music) (if you want to give it a label) in my opinion. In fact, I think Nitzer Ebb are definitely the pioneers of the music they've put out which I'm sure has inspired many other bands as well.

Nitzer Ebb is on tour right now as we speak. Will they put out another studio album? Let's hope so!

Standout tracks:

Disc 1

Murderous
Control I'm Here
Lightning Man
Getting Closer
Family Man

Disc 2

Control I'm Here (strategic dancefloor initiative mix)
Hearts And Minds (mix hypersonic)
Captivate (William Orbit mix)
Backlash (William Orbit mix)
Fun To Be Had (long mix - mixed by George Clinton himself!)

Although I enjoy the remastered sound, the song selection isn't perfect. Here are my gripes:
*The collection swaps the five minute album version of "Murderous" for the abrupt 7" version.
*The radio version of "Warsaw Ghetto" replaces the original 12" version.
*"So Bright, So Strong" (B-side of "Warsaw Ghetto") is curiously missing.
*Why would you choose to include "Let Your Body Learn" over "Smear Body", "Let Beauty Loose" or "Fitness to Purpose"?
*I know they couldn't put every track ever on this thing, but "K.I.A." from the "Control I'm Here" single (edition one) is a glaring omission.

Otherwise, this is a great collection for those whom can't find the vinyl or simply want a high-quality remastering of the classics.

First of all, this double disc does something most collections don't--it FILLS the CD with all the hits. Disc one is 78 minutes long, disc 2 is 76 minutes. The ULTIMATE reason to buy this disc for hardcore collectors of this industrial band is, at last, the full 5 and a half minute Phil Harding mix of "Join in the Chant" on CD. FINALLY! A disappointment on disc 1 is the EDIT of Murderous, one of their most popular tracks! But hey, since I have the original CD, I'd much rather have the long version of the "Join in the Chant" remix, so I can't complain much. Most of the other tracks on disc 1 run from about 4 minutes or less, except the original version of Come Alive, which runs over 6 minutes. Disc 2 is filled with remixes. While some are not the versions I would have chosen (a 3 disc set with ALL the remixes would have been even better) this definitely makes this compilation a must for Nitzer Ebb completists.

Track times for disc 2 remixes is:

1. Get Clean (5:17)
2. Join in the Chant (gold) (5:33)
3. Control I'm Here (strategic dancefloor initiative) (6:29)
4. hearts and minds (mix hypersonic) (6:06)
5. shame (mix two) (5:58)
6. captivate (William orbit mix) (6:18)
7. backlash (William orbit mix) (6:15)
8. fun to be had (long mix) (7:16)
9. out of mind (maitresse mix) (3:57)
10. ascend (flood remix) (6:01)
11. lakeside drive (flood remix) (5:21)
12. kick it (popular music mix) (3:54)
13. I thought (final sin) (8:25)

I have to say, I was flabbergasted when I saw that Mute was finally releasing a Nitzer Ebb "Best of". For me, this has been a long time coming. For anyone who wants to know why Nitzer Ebb are such underrated pioneers in the realm of EBM and industral dance, now's your chance to check them out!

The best thing about this compilation is that it includes pretty much everything I could have wanted, having made my own "best of" burned CDs for myself and my friends over the years. The second disc is a real special treat. It includes "Get Clean" "Heart and Minds (Mix Hypersonic)",William Orbit's super-mega-awesome remix of "Backlash" and other really cool remixes. The songs have all been remastered to great effect with clear bass and treble and a really nice volume boost. Nitzer's music never sounded better, and since I owned so much of this on vinyl, not having to suffer through scratches and pops is an added blessing.

My only (admittedly nerdy and nitpicky) complaint would be that the version of "Let Your Body Learn" on the first disc is the short Album Version which I think is different than the "Power of Voice Version" that was being advertised on the band's website. I figured the POV Version was the longer 6 minute mix, which I really was hoping to get on CD.

Here's hoping that remastered editions of the albums will follow...

This is something I've been waiting for the last 11 years, a singles collection from Nitzer Ebb. When I was 14 years old, I heard "That Total Age" for the first time. I was absolutely stunned by the sheer rawness of the sound. As the band evolved, I started to collect their records and attended all their gigs in Stockholm.

The first CD covers their best tracks, from the beautiful electronic body beat track "Isn't It Funny How Your Body Works" from 1985 to the guitar ridden "I Thought". The second CD is packed with remixes such as the beautiful remix of "Captivate" by William Orbit to the original B-side of "Let Your Body Learn" - "Get Clean", a powerful track which the fans regard as one of the best ever from Nitzer Ebb.

If you are an old fan, a new fan, a DJ specializing in EBM or just curious about what all the fuzz is about, buy this awesome collection! You won't be dissappointed.

Excellent compilation of Nitzer Ebb's hits.

Saw the Ebb at the House of Blues in Anaheim a few weeks ago. As a fan, hearing a band that had been officially disbanded for nearly a decade, the experience was surreal.

They played most of the tracks on this excellent compilation, and the renditions were awesome. Rumor has it that they have some new songs in the works (I hope they release a DVD to commemorate their recent tour) and hopefully they sound NOTHING like the underwhelming 'Big Hit'.....

I don't know what all the little Johnny Come Latelys are doing here, trying to find fault with this collection. I remember when trying to track down NE releases on vinyl was hard enough, and when I wore enough snap, crackles and pops in my vinyl, and still listened to it in all its glory in my Bundeswehr bdu's. Seeing NE live over and over, and still a fan to this day. Now we get this offering and these people find fault? Ridiculous.

Let me you give one reason to buy this collection: Warsaw Ghetto on cd. Finally. One of the greatest tracks to grace a NE single ever (I still have it), finally, finally, finally committed to a remaster. All the rest is icing on your cake. Get it now and get the "BODY REWORK - REMIXES" cd as well. Outside of various SPM "EBM" compilations, that Rework cd has the greatest all-in-one-place collection of newly remixed NE songs I've had the pleasure of finding.

An absolute treasure.

Great to find the 12" of "Join In The Chant." Unfortunately, no 12" of "Let Your Body Learn."

This is a great collection. All the great tracks in one place. The second disk is remixes. I honestly thought I owned all the remixes out there, but there are some great ones on here I had never herad before. If you are an ebbhead, get this collection.