Customer Reviews

V Is for Viagra: The Remixes

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

 

 

Puscifer defies categorization, but for the purpose of describing what this CD sounds like, I will say that the remixes are kind of darkwave industrial trip-hop. Meaning that if you like Tricky and Nine Inch Nails and have a healthy sense of humor, you'll probably like this CD. The sense of humor is necessary because just when you start taking yourself too seriously as a Puscifer listener, the CD wraps up with a disco single fit for a hoe-down in the form of 8mm's remix of "Country Boner".

While I like "V is for Vagina", I will say that I can listen to "V is for Viagra" again and again and hear something different every time. It is more dynamic and energetic--an excellent collaboration of artists. If I were some hot shot music critic I would probably brand this one of the best CDs of the year. For those who would say that Puscifer is less serious or less interesting than APC or Tool, I would respond that Puscifer successfully manages to do something very different, while retaining some of the same ideological sensibilities. Like Maynard's other projects, Puscifer really is something unique, with nothing lost in the quality of the music.

V is for Vagina was built of an array of such fun, accessible tunes that a remix album was inevitably going to be more complex and challenging than the original. And it is: Viagra is noisier and more dynamic, and can't be appreciated purely for the ingenious simplicity that Vagina exhibits. Fortunately Viagra taps into the energy of that noise and dynamism in almost every track, and the album flourishes. It's notable that two of the brightest gems in the collection, Cuntry Boner: "Dirty Robot" mix and Trekka "The Great Unwashed Mix," are noisy enough to hangout with some of the best Nine Inch Nails remixes. Sure, there are a few disappointments; the opening Indigo Children "JLE Dub" mix deviates from the original so little (other than extra background noise) that it fails to generate energy of its own. But these moments are painless at worst, and certainly don't take away from the pleasures that this solid remix album has to offer.

I say "I think" because I haven't heard the original album. I was at a CD store having a "going-out-of-business" sale, and picked this up on a whim. I knew nothing about the band aside from the fact that Maynard James Keenan from TOOL and A Perfect Circle was in it.

The main reason I decided to pick up the album was because of the impressive list of people doing the remixes. There are two remixes by Lustmord, who I was introduced to a few years ago when I got his fantastic collaboration with The Melvins. One track is remixed by Aaron Turner from of one of my favorite prog-metal band, Isis. Another track is by Danny Lohner from NIN, among other bands. Dave "Rave" Ogilvie, who produced all of the early Skinny Puppy albums, gets dusted off to tackle my favorite track up to this point, "Mamma Sed". Finally, Paul Barker (the "other half" of Ministry from 1986 to 2004) also comes out of storage to produce another great track.

Having not heard the originals, I don't know how these tracks stack up in comparison. That being said, I love this CD. The first thing to note is that those buying this to hear Maynard's amazing voice and lyrics will be disappointed. This is a remix album, so vocals are treated as secondary. In most tracks where vocals are noticeable, they are buried deep within the mix. The lyrics are barely discernable. What little Maynard you do get on this album is either a passing whisper, or a very similar vocal style as used on APC's "Counting Bodies Like Sheep To The Rhythm Of The War Drums". Given the producers he found for this album, it's easy to hear the influence that bands like Ministry and Skinny Puppy had on how Maynard treated his vocals on this album. The only exception is the final track, "Country Boner". A hilarious song that would sit just as well on a RevCo CD as it does here.

Anyone who is a fan of electro-remix albums would probably really like this CD. I surely do. Mr. Keenan rarely retreads familiar territory, so anyone expecting to hear the focused aggression and musical complexity of TOOL or the blissful beauty of APC is sure to be disappointed. On the other hand. anyone who is a fan of the many NIN, Ministry, and Frontline Assembly remixes would surely like this. It's not an industrial album, but it defiantly sits very nicely on the border of being one.

Now I have to go buy the non-remixed version...

As far as remixes go, this one is pretty good, but it is far from the original. If you were a big fan of 'V is for Vagina' then you will likely enjoy this.
If you have not heard the original, buy it first.

I am a TOOL fan but I also love all kids of music. I love this album I have the other Puscifer albums and this is one of the best the remixes are great if you like MJK/Puscifer you will like this.

There are songs on this album that I can enjoy over and over, all night long... A very good album that remains fresh to my ears and my vagina.

Loved almost every track. Great sounds all around. I definitely recommend for fans of Industrial, EBM, Industrial rock and fans of Tool.

I like Puscifer's original and creative take on industrial rock, but this remix album is not that good. Just a few god tracks but most of it is just way too reprtitive even for electronic music. I'm ready for another full length album to come fourth by this band. Not so excited about anymore remix albums.

Bought this CD just by seeing it at a Best Buy, I knew Maynard and his involvement with Puscifer and bought hands on since I am a HUGE Tool fan and I was amazed at how good this album is, its hypnotic and at the same time so raw.

this was the worst piece of music I have ever heard. I had to force myself to get through this mess. Not one second was enjoyable. Excuse me while I vomit.