"Just as a caution, don't be mislead if you've heard any form of Manson & Rasputina's song "Transylvanian Concubine". The band Rasputina is not a guitar rocking, keyboard slamming manifestation of sounds. They're are composed of simple cellos and soft, female vocals. Melora does a brilliant cover of Melanie's "Brand New Key". "Howard Hughs", "Rusty The Skatemaker", & the real "Transylvanian Concubine" done without Manson & Twiggy are sweet-n-simple, nostalgic melodies with the tiniest tinges of creepyness in the voice. Melora has great vocals that work so very well with Manson's talent on the keyboard and Twiggy's brilliant craft on guitar & bass. Think of this EP as an introduction to Rasputina with 2 opening songs that will blow your mind with what they could be, but aren't. "Transylvanian Concubine" is a spectacular song with great sound & lyrics. If you like it, you most likely won't like Rasputina's real songs unless your musical taste is ripped wide open from dark gloom rock to uplifting poplike singalongs ....as like mine is, but hey, give it a try. Chances are you'll like one of the two."
Nothing special.
Bighairydoofus | Brooklyn Park, MN United States | 06/09/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I love Rasputina and own everything they've put out, and I consider all of their albums essential listening. Except this. The only "original" material are the two remixes, but they're of the same song and sound disappointingly similar. The other four tracks are from their first album, so if you already have that there just isn't much here. If the remixes were better, or of different songs, or if there was an unreleased song on the disc, it'd be a must buy. But it's not.I think this was released by the label to squeeze a few more bucks out of a new band using the then popular Marilyn Manson. Rasputina puts Marilyn Manson to shame lyrically and musically, and to have MM remixing Rasputina's music is truly ironic and sad.My advice - buy everything else from Rasputina, pass on this."
From a highly addicted new Rasputina fanatic :
Beth | 07/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The simplicity of three cellos mixed into a fantastic concoction of harmonic melodies is what sets Rasputina's thought provoking music apart from the highly uninteresting and synthetic music that the great percentage of people are listening to today....With songs like "Rusty the Skatemaker" ( one of the most beautifully crafted songs I have heard in ages)and Transylvanian Concubine (a delicate mixture of beautiful melodies and piercing lyrics), this is a must have selection for any CD collection....If only the rest of the world would grab onto Rasputina the way I have....If you are an eclectic with musical interests including classical, gothic music, rock, or your just interested in beautiful music, hand crafted from the strings and hands of three cellists and their cellos then this CD will bring you nothing but joy...."
A truly wonderful 18 minutes
Bighairydoofus | 08/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You must own this EP. I'm not going to dock stars from it because it's too short, because it IS an EP we're talking about. Comparing it to a full-length album is an apples and oranges thing. Anyway, Transylvanian Concubine is one of the best songs I've heard in years(originally and remixed...Marilyn Manson did a surprisingly good job remixing it with Twiggy), Howard Hughes holds that whole kinda atonal/creepy vibe really well, and the other two(Rusty the Skatemaker and Brand New Key) capture the warm melodic side of this wonderful band. If you're looking for an original and eclectic little chunk of music to listen to when everything else sounds boring, this is the CD to get."
Hmm...Umm...
Jess | Connecticut, USA | 06/05/2007
(2 out of 5 stars)
"I am a tremendous Rasputina fan, but sadly I cannot recommend this puzzling album to anyone. I say puzzling because I'm not sure what they were thinking when they released it. Four out of the six songs are just the same tracks from their debut "Thanks for the Ether." And the other two tracks are *bad*, and almost *identical*, yet separate renditions of Translyvanian Concubine. And while it is a great song, we don't need to hear it Three Times. The first mix was horribly altered by Marilyn Manson, who, although a Rasputina fan himself, should have kept his hands off of the original song. Any true Rasputina fan most likely wouldn't appreciate Manson's mix, since it clashes so with Rasputina's aesthetic. His aesthetic is distinctly different from Rasputina's, and it's like he was trying to twist it into "something better" by making it sound something more like he would create.. but that doesn't make it better. It's just not fitting. As for the other mix, honestly, I can't tell much of a difference. The first two tracks are a waste. The rest are just repeats from the first CD. I can't believe I'm saying this, but don't waste your money on this CD from Rasputina. :("