Customer Reviews

Vertical Mixes

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

 

 

If you're a fan of Haujobb albums Vertical Theory and Solutions, you will almost definitely be enamoured of Vertical Mixes. The first five tracks are new songs or remixes by Haujobb. The remainder are touched by other hands.

Anyway, why did I mention Vertical Theory and Solutions? The Haujobb-only tracks would not have seemed out of place on Vertical Theory, but they strike me as being more sample-oriented in nature, a la Solutions For A Small Planet--as if band-member Dejan had his hands more deeply into the work than he did on Vertical Theory. In fact, I have read comments that the first track (one of two new songs on the disc) has a very Solutions feel to it.

Needless to say, I cannot play these first five tracks enough. They are masterful, and cover a variety of styles. For example, track 3, the other new song, is an enjoyable hybrid between Haujobb-style Industrial and Detroit Electro.

The other tracks... This Morn' Omina turns in a good tribal industrial effort. Glis and Seabound offer up some future pop. Hecq gives us a surprisingly gentle bass-heavy mix. Asche is, suitably, noize. The remaining mixes aren't bad, but the real gems, for me anyhow, are found in the first 2/3 of Vertical Mixes.

This CD is a very worthy addition to my Haujobb collection, and I think most all people who enjoy the newer Haujobb will enjoy this. For people who have never heard Haujobb before, this music is industrial in a danceable, electronic, melodic sort of way as opposed to the more hard-edged rocking sort of way; it's slightly edgy, but far from aggressive.

Longtime industrial/EBM duo Haujobb returns with a collection of remixes from previous full-length "Vertical Theory," as well as a handful of new tracks. The new tracks are the most interesting; they show a marked minimal techno influence, but with the trademark Haujobb dark synths and processed vocals. Coming from various artists, the remixes are a mixed bag - kind of like Haujobb albums, actually. There are by-the-numbers dancefloor stompers, slower futurepop numbers, and even a delightfully downtempo ambient piece. The variety here makes this album a disjointed listen, but it should tide over Haujobb fans until the next full-length.

Daniel Myer AKA Haujobb, has always been quite an expert with his electronic work. While Haujobb is his leading act, he has several other monikers that he produces music under (most notible being Architect and Destroid).

It has been 2 years since the world has seen new Haujobb. Daniel has been so busy with his other acts that it seemed like Haujobb got the boot. He seems to be simply throwing us a bone here to assure us that Haujobb still exists (he's infamous for starting a new act then abandoning it).

The best tracks here are 1 through 5. The first 3 remixes, which were done by Haujobb personally, are the best of the slew. And the 2 new tracks hopefully give us a clue as to what the new Haujobb album (whenever that may be) will sound like. These 2 new tracks seem to fuse the styles of Solutions with Vertical Theory. An interesting blend!

Bottom line:

If you are a Haujobb fan, get this. Fans of Vertical Theory will no doubt enjoy it.

...to let something grow on you.

I bought Vertical Mixes as soon as it was released, and skipped thru the songs a few times, and thought: eh..

Recently tho, I listened to Vertical Mixes while I was working, and it must have played end-to-end in my ears at least 10 times. These mixes are amazing I have to say! There's a lot of detail and different angles given to each mix. Much of the album is dancable, some of it is creapy...it's awesome!

Much like Vertical Theory, there's abundant pulsating bass lines, steady dance beats, mechanical bips & bleaps and catchy synth leads and arpegios...true EBM at work.

Give it a chance (or another chance), I'm sure it'll grow on you too!

This release is for serious fans of Haujobb only. The two new tracks are good (but not great), and the remixes themselves range from O.K. to serious darkwave-tainted crapola. I would not recommend this to the casual haujobb listener - pick up Vertical Theory if you haven't already. "Polarity", "Ninety-nine", and "Solutions for a Small Planet" are all highly recommended.