Search - Merzbow, Jim O'Rourke, Panasonic :: Scumtron - Merzbow (Remixes & Original Recordings) - Limited Edition 8 track mini album CD

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03/11/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a disc of Merzbow remixes and a couple of brief, traditional Merzbow tracks. The remixes are generally minimal in nature, and, for the most part, are fairly interesting. Autechre actually creates techno out of their Merzbow selection, and this was the thing I was most looking forward too -- but the result isn't really all that big of a deal. It just sounds like a mediocre Autechre track, which isn't really all that bad a thing, but it also goes on for 4-5 minutes too long. It's actually one of my least favorite tracks on the disc. O' Rourke's is interesting at first but then gets tedious. The three tracks in the middle (Panasonic and two people I've never heard of) are the highlight -- "Micromedley" is particularly interesting. The two Merzbow tracks are typical Merzbow, which is fine, but it feels like they're there just for the hell of it. Still, although this disc isn't all it could've been and more, it's still generally interesting, and worthwhile if you're a Merzbow fan."

A weaker Merzbow release due to inconsistancy

Phylo Brag | New York, NY | 12/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Someone might say that they're looking for a Merzbow release with more variety. This is it, and it's a nice change of pace. Jim O'Rourke actually does a fine job remixing Spiral Honey in a way that you listen to it and go "hey. thats Spiral Honey!". This is the sort of Merzbow remix that I like. Merzbow's filler on this disc is killer.
The Eat Beat Eat tracks are about as fun as the Tint single (reccomended for the 6-7 dollars).
Panasonic's remix is the best using the Merzbow wall o noise into a minimal dance track - the end result is something similar to the more intense moments of Aube's later work.
The Antimonument "an.mon" remix is as solid as O'Rourk's track.
"Micromedly" by Russel Haswell is made up of a lot of Merzbow vinyl and cd tracks being played simultanously. At a mere four minutes, it doesn't outstay its welcome by much.
At last the Autechre track, and as other reviewers have said. It's Autechre. Having examined this track in slow motion, the samples used from this track are simply some of the only drum beats you will ever find in Merzbow's catalogue. In some ways it's a real disappointment if it weren't such an interesting thing to listen to. This shouldn't have the name "Merzbow" on it, however.
The last track is a problem. Its mastered so low that you don't know weather to turn it up or what... I have only *heard* this track once, and I think it's the most graceful way to close such a difficult album - an equally difficult track that is the "photo negative" of the other material on this disc.This is a refreshing listen mostly for the long-time or serious Merzbow collector."