ReDickUlous Review

Well, I went ahead and ordered the long awaited Slick Idiot remix disc, which came in a cardboard box direct from itchy records and didn't even take a week to arrive! Because I'd heard of other people having the inside of their boxes signed, I carefully peeked in mine, and sure enough, after carefully cutting the edges with a rusty exacto blade, I found that "Lord Esch" had indeed left his mark on my box as well. I mean the cardboard box. Ahem.

Here's a scan of my box. :) I can't tell you how cool it is that an actual artist would take the time to write my name on the inside and draw strange little cartoons for a fan he doesn't even know! This is the kind of thing that has the tendency to really earn a band respect outside of their music. A very nice gesture, and I hope it's something they continue to do...it's good to see musicians who care about their fans. In the past I have supported such bands as Sister Machine Gun and Razed IN Black for this very reason, and I will continue to do so.

Anyhow, onto the meat of the CD.

There's 13 tracks on here for you triskaidekaphobics, some done by artists from Clawfinger and Hanzel Und Gretyl, and others done by fans in response to the remix contest last year that was done through the official site. There is also a very cool video of Make Me Believe on here as well.

To start, the remix of Get Down was done by Clawfinger, which although I am not familiar with their style myself, I've been told they are kinda metal oriented. They definitely add a heaviness this this already brooding, slinky track. The chunk factor of the guitars is very high, and when I first heard the riffs I was reminded of Just One Fixx by Ministry somehow. not too many changes really, this mix sticks to the original pretty weel, with a few electronic manipulations here and there, but less electronics overall and very weighty.

There are 3 mixes of It Wont Do on here, my second favorite song to Make Me Believe. Track 2's remix by Terran Westbrook is a nice dancey version with lots of added electronics and a trancey drone in the background. Guenter's guitars have been roughened considerably and highlighted in other spots, and overall I sense an almost lord of acid sound from this track - which is not at all a problem as the danceability of this track is amazing. The original bassline has been quieted also, but there is considerable power in this song nonetheless. While staying fairly close to the original, some restructuring of lyrics and patterns, and additional synth makes this track what remixes should be - a new face to the original great track that should get played in clubs, and even those less into guitar industrial could enjoy.

The next one on Track 10 starts out slow and flowy at first with an altered, gulpy bassline. The guitars are still in there, but are more of a background element to the focus on Esch's gravely vocals and the minimal electronic bounciness. Not a harsh club track, but definitely influenced by dance music/trance. Nice use of dramatic pause and focus on the vocals. I like the cutting and shifting of vocals also.

Track 11, the final version of It Wont Do, starts out unlike with melodic blips and the title vocals, melting into a wonderful relaxed, trancey version. Beautifully done with world drum sounds, spiraling electronics, and an airy backround. The song sheds its heavy skin and becomes sensual instead, urged on by Esch's growls. This is another example of what a great remix should be. It's like taking a gem and refaceting it to make a different face shine. Very rich and smooth. Beautiful layering of sound as well.

I Feel Fine was remixed twice on this CD, the later "mix" on the disc (track 13) is not so much a remix as a cover by Al 9er. Lemme tell you, you are in for a surprise when you hear this one. The remixer has taken the song into an entirely different genre. And it works...if you played this for anyone who wasn't into industrial/electro at all, they'd probably like it. Think Bob Dillion/Folk Rock folks. Acoustic guitar and harmonica are rampant here allong with piano and raw vocals. Damn amazing. While this genre is not my taste, I am quite impressed and amused by this track. And I thought only Pig was good at taking music from different genres and toying with it. The only problem with this track is it feels a little repetitive for me, but that could just be my feeling about the genre. Very original !

Track 3's version of I Feel Fine starts out more electronically enhanced than the original with a grinding whine and a tapping rhythm, then adding some guitars. The first vocals we hear are the chorus, then we wander into some spacey noises before finally kicking into a heavier beat. This song was restructured nicely, vocals cut and pasted here and there, although the guitars are original and not Guenter's. Nice beats and variety throughout, but not too dancey. I kept anticipating more though...it felt like it was building up some but it was as if it leveled out too soon. Good track though.

Lazy was reworked by En Esch, starting out with a gorgeous ambient soundscape and coming in with his in your face vocals and attitiude. Very trancey at the beginning and then stepping into the rap with nice sharp guitars. The guitars in general are much more emphasized than in the original, this version is heavier by far, and if its possible, it has more attitude and presence. I love the way the electronics and ambient noises weave back in part way through the song. En Esch does a great job of layering and melding of sound. The variety in this track is very fresh, and it's been made far more clubable. I believe the original has most definitely been improved on. A great example of cross genre blending, rap, guitar driven music, and trance. One of the best tracks on here. Love it.

Blast was first remixed by Great Mutant Skywheel. The flowy female vocals lead us into an aural salad of sounds from clips of En Esch's voice, guitars, as well as original vocals and god knows what else. Some serious genetic alteration of this song was done. It's slower, somewhat menacing and very interesting to listen to. Very complicated and thickly layered with sounds and messages.

The second version on track 12 serves us yet another bowl of aural salad, and without a doubt is the most experimental track on here. Once again, the flowy female vocals are prominent, and make more of an appearance than any of the other original elements. Whoever wrote this must also be a Skinny Puppy fan for all I can figure. It's a kind of harsh soundscape that few people can achieve and do well. Spooky, dark, electronically mangled. Imagine a dog's head welded onto an old sewing machine that's been hooked up to various car parts, electrodes and disembowled kitchen appliances, half buried in a pile of vnitage shoes, dolls parts and feathers. That would be this song. It's a whole new animal. Not for the weak of heart or those who expect it to sound anything like the original.

Merci Beaucoup was redone twice. Track 7 was redone by a member of Hanzel Und Gretel definitely has a slinky funk aspect to it. This song would drive a pimp mobile if it had arms and feet. Prominently sampled are the female vocals "I like to funk and I like to screw", with a few female orgasm noises thrown in for good measure. Simple, quick and dirty, just like a ride in a pimp mobile should be.

The second version on track 8 has been playfully rewired, the voice samples and guitars scattered about a bit amidst some bleeps and wibbles, then leading into Esch's vocals which are minimally backed at first until a nice "thub" starts in and the stripped down guitars come back. In general, a more synthesized and pared down version of the original track.

Idiot was done once again by Hanzel Und Gretyl. It starts out bleak and dark, with a whining hum and haunting voices, the repetition of "War" and Peace" vocals by En Esch. Like a walk through purgatory sonically, until the guitar whine extends into chunks and a nice beat sets in. Very sinister and brooding bass, with interesting ethnic vocals added. Quite possibly the darkest track on here. A nicely done and very intimidating track.

You'll need quicktime for the video, which was very nicely done, a lot of images inside images. Plenty of En Esch to go around, we see him getting pushed around by a tall woman in black vinyl with bondage on her mind. Esch doesn't seem to mind at all. We also see En Esch's classic stare and we get plenty of tongue whether we want it or not. Guenter is a shadow of sorts throughout most of this video, as he seems to be in general, although we do see him a few times with his son (what a little cutie!) and looking placid as En Esch is whispering roughly into his ear. The effects are great and go well with the music. It's a fun, fun thing! Plus, you get to see a few cute outtakes from the filming, as En Esch and his bondage queen go from serious knifepoint stares to doing a little dance.

This disc was a mere $14 I believe, as they were shipping them for free and it was well worth the price. As always, the cover photos were done by Guenter. There's a great variety of talent on here, and although some tracks weren't quite as strong as some others, it's most certainly an enjoyable package. I find it very cool that the band was willing to let its own fans try their hand at remixing their work, and then getting some of them exposure by using them on this disc. It's a keeper folks. Go get it.