What A Textbook
William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 05/19/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This remix album was a revelation for me for several reasons. Andy Votel has created a CD for record collectors that works on many levels:
First, Votel captures the eclectic spirit that hypercharged Vertigo Records, and for that matter, rock and roll, in the late 60s and early 70s. In the first few minutes of the hour plus CD, you get the horn rock of Lighthouse, Nirvana's--no, not them-- keyborad jam, and the steriod blues of Collumeum's "The Kettle." All of this happens in an eye blink, and is only a trailer for the movie to come.
Second, this is a gift to the record collector. Not only does Votel-in the booklet- talk about Vertigo being an important label to collect, but his CD presents just one of millions of possibilites. Students of blues and jazz and folk and prog and 70s slop rock and worldwide retro soundtracks will love this album. Votel lines up the music with no bounderies, and winks at you, as if to say "there are thousands of albums I could have made, but here is a little taste." Amazing.
Third-He also inserts neat little soundbytes where you least expect them, talking about Vertigo being brought into the modern age. I think that these are not comments about the Vertigo Label, but comments about the Hitchcock Film that Votel superimposed onto the mix. But it is applicable, and works like a charm
Fourth- He uses many soundbytes here by many bands-from big dudes like Black Sabbath to bands I can't find, like Brave New World.
BE WARNED-IF YOU LIKE SOMETHING YOU HEAR AND WANT TO BUY IT, CHECK THE SONG TITLES ON THIS ALBUM ON AMAZON FIRST. Not everything Votel used is listed on the back of the booklet. Amazon does have a more comprephensive track list.
That said, get it, get it now. It will open hundreds of doors, to both novice and expert.
Thank you, Andy.
From the Kettle,
Bill"
Dense bombastic soundbites that flow au naturale
attentive listener | Joysey | 07/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whether it's chunks of proto metal, glam, heavy jazz, funk (but really lots o' proto metal) or whatever other odd detours this mix presents, they all have an element of swaggering bombast. Moreover, it all flows like a wild party, and there's something in the punch. It can get a little weird, at times, but never monotonous as there's something fresh around each corner and they come fast and furious. Welcome to the funhouse. Shaggy, baby. This could easily make any mother, and I mean this in the best possible way, quite nervous. Cheers, Birmingham !"
Track Listings (52) - Disc #1