Search - tweaker :: Attraction to All Things Uncertain

Wow! This genreless album hits you in all the right places

Nowhereman | Boston, MA USA | 09/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At first I was somewhat skeptical, while I love Vrenna's remix work and am a big Six Degrees fan, I never would have guessed on a union between that particular artist and label. But my fears were quite unfounded. Certainly not techno, certainly not industrial, certainly not ambient or worldbeat, Tweaker's really made an album with a sound uniquely it's own while building upon foundations from many genres.While many of the songs are quite different in structure, one of the commonalities across songs is something I can only call "thickness". Each song has alot of things going on, and even the simple songs have multiple layers of sound, insturments moving in and out of the mix. Of course, this being Vrenna, the percussion (both live and programmed) throughout is wonderfully emotive, complex, and excellent. But what makes this album amazing for me is that instead of being a percussive-dominant album, the amazing rhythm work is merely one part of the collage, and the guitars, vocals, samples, and programming create a really addictive brew, somehow both challenging and hook-laden at the same time.The songs with guest vocalists feel like the most "traditional" songs on the disc (Craig Wedren's voice is just stellar on his two tracks), and while they are all excellent, I feel it's in the insturmentals where this disc really shines. "Swamp" rocks out like a great NIN insturmental with nice crunchy guitar and drum licks, while "Turned" could be mistaken for a spaced-out Orb tune with layers of reverb and chirping birds. "Drive-Bye" would be as at home on 4AD as Six Degrees, while "Microsize Boy" is a wonderful slice of vocoder and punchy drums. And while each song might have it's own unique sound, the "thickness" of the music allows the whole album to blend amazingly well, so instead of jumping all over the map it comes off as cohesive and connected.All in all, this one of my most pleasant surprises of the year. I was expecting a decent album to play a few times, then probably forget. Instead I found a genreless album that's guaranteed a spot in heavy rotation for quite a while. (The Beautiful packaging of the disc is an added bonus as well)"

A solid effort

Mike | Seymour, CT USA | 10/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well...being a big NIN fan i picked up Chris Vrenna's solo full length in hopes for some good music during the usual Trent Reznor four year drought. It is a good album, a little too electronic for my tastes in some parts, but it is growing on me. Definately far surpasses anything mtv plays these days. Original, organic blend of rock/electronic type stuff. Not a dissapointment at all. I'd recomend this to anyone who is in the modd for something different and atmospheric. Good music will always prevail..."

Phenomenal music

Captain Planet | Earth | 08/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"to start off, yes, christ vrenna was the drummer for NIN, and no, this cd does not sound like "the downward spiral" or "broken." it is a completely different sound. but that is probably to be expected, seeing as how when one does one's own solo project they can do whatever they please. it may not sound like NIN, but you can here a hint of influence in it. very electronic, featuring the voices of many other persons, other than himself. NIN is one of my favorite bands, and so is tweaker. i recommend that all of you buy this cd if you enjoy good music, which this most certainly is. it is always in my cd player. just check it out, you'll be happy"