Linoleum [CD-single] [EP]

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
"Linoleum" is the first EP from tweaker, aka Chris Vrenna, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, taken from the upcoming full-length Six Degrees CD, The Attraction To All Things Uncertain.

Featuring vocals from David Sylvian, "Linoleum" represents tweaker's incendiary and haunting collision of rock and otherworldly electronics.

The EP contains remixes from Josh Wink, Wamdue Project, King Britt and Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers. Over 50 minutes of music, with rare non-LP tracks

Linoleum,tweaker,Six Degrees,Alternative Pop/Rock,Electronic,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Tracks:

Linoleum (Radio Edit)
Linoleum (The Josh Wink Interpretation)
Linoleum (Wamdue 2-Step Vocal Experience)
Imperfections featuring Jennifer Folker (non LP track)
Linoleum (King Britt's Scuba Mix)
Imperfections (Lollipop Guild Remix)
Linoleum (Teargas & Plateglass Remix)
Linoleum (Paul Leary Remix)
Tiny Life (Live)

Album Description

"Linoleum" is the first EP from tweaker, aka Chris Vrenna, formerly of Nine Inch Nails, taken from the upcoming full-length Six Degrees CD, The Attraction To All Things Uncertain.

Featuring vocals from David Sylvian, "Linoleum" represents tweaker's incendiary and haunting collision of rock and otherworldly electronics.

The EP contains remixes from Josh Wink, Wamdue Project, King Britt and Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers. Over 50 minutes of music, with rare non-LP tracks

Customer Reviews:

Mixed........2005-08-03

Remix CDs are something of an enigma for me-- I generally find them extraneous as remixes typically go in one of two directions-- either the changes are subtle and not really additive, such as adding an extra drum loop or a few samples to a piece, or they totally reconstruct the piece, treating the original as a sample. Only rarely does something in between come forth, where the balance between too much and too little can be struck, but even in those cases, it's often that the remix is still inferior to the orignal.

Tweaker's "Linoleum" single contains six mixes of a title track, taken from "The Attraction to All Things Uncertain", including a radio edit, a vocal take on "Years from Now" from the album retitled "Imperfections", and one previously unreleased track ("Tiny Life").

"Linoleum" itself is a fine song, full of mystery developed by sparse electronica accompaniment before exploding after the chorus with a wash of industrial guitars. David Sylvian's superlative vocal helps further elevate the piece. The radio edit, chopping about forty seconds of exposition off the piece, adds nothing.

The remixes divide nicely into two camps with one sitting in between. The first two remixes, "The Josh Wink Interpretation" and the "Wamdue 2-Step Vocal Experience" fall into that treating the original as samples camp. Both meander on endlessly and probably are of more interest to people into ambient or dub music. The last two remixes are a bit more interesting to me. The "Tearglass & Plateglass remix" deconstructs the song, maintaining its structure, but replacing all the sounds-- a bass takes the place of the industrial guitars for example. Its fascinating, albeit not as gripping as the original. The "Paul Leary remix" falls in a similar mood, moving the vocal into a minimalist setting before exploding after the chorus. It's probably the best (and also is the briefest) remix on the record.

The other tracks are a pretty mixed bag-- "Imperfections", quite frankly, I can live wihtout, I much prefer the original without the irritating speak-singing vocal by Jennifer Folker. And quite frankly, remixing it isn't really going to do it for me as the source material wasn't to my liking at all and the remix does little but double the length. The live "Tiny Life" is fantastic however, explosive and exciting, full of energy, funky drums, great guitars and aggressive turntable scratches. A fine track and probably worht the cost of the single.

All in all, it's a decent EP, a bit too inconsistent, but for anyone who enjoyed the album, probably worth digging up.

Worth owning for one track..........2002-10-29

This single has only one track that made it worth owning, but since I like the track a great deal, and it's unavailable elsewhere (unless you find it on MP3), getting this single was not too bad of a deal.

What track is that? "Imperfections," the alternate version of the album track "Years from now." "Imperfections" has lyrics by a female vocalist named Jennifer Folker. Done in an almost spoken word form (but not quite), the vocals fit the musical structure so well that they seem meant for each other. It's interesting how this track has a tendency to bury the original because of this. When listening to the full album's instrumental version ("Years from now"), I really miss the vocals.

So if you want this track on CD ... then grab this disc.

With the exception of the live track at the end (which is an okay instrumental, but not as memorable as anything on the full album), the rest of the tracks are bland remixes that, while not being downright horrible, were just not very artistic or creative, in my opinion. Then again, I'm a fan of the "reinterpretation" of a song, more than simple re-mixings or techno-ification. So, hey, if you are more easy-going than I, maybe you will like the remixes too.

"Imperfections" is a worthy track to own and enjoy daily.

Yowza!.......2002-03-07

I heard about this collaboration on... the David Sylvian fan club site, and unlike Zero Landmine (not my cup of tea - Do they know it's Christmas? anyone?) this track is by far one of the best Sylvian songs EVER! Better than most of the 'rockin' tracks on 'The First Day' and most of DBOAC, I'm on my 9th consecutive listen as I write this. I am a big fan of Sylvian but can also separate the wheat from the chaff; and there is the occasional duffer!
But ... this is a cracking single - BUY IT(... download it, whatever)! ... now I'm off to get the Tweaker album!

Blew my mind..........2001-12-20

I had heard little about Chris and this cd before I purchased it. It was absolutely amazing! It blew my mind. It deserves as much respect as any of the recent Radiohead albums. I was a skeptic when I put it into my cd player, I figured it would have one, maybe two songs that I would listen to, but the whole album is a must hear. Highlights include "Take Me Alive" with absolutely amazing vocals (from the guest who's name is slipping my mind at the moment) and Microsize boy, a track that if on a Radiohead CD would have been hailed as one of great songs of the year. If you are considering buying this cd, take it from me, it's worth it!

Excellent For A Rainy Day.......2001-11-16

The songs and remixes here are great to listen to while sitting alone, with a cup of coffee, staring outside over a bleak, overcast, and depressing landscape....it's easy to drift away in the haunting vocals and all-over-the-place instrumentation and melodies, until a sudden drum beat or harsh sample jerks you back to reality. Fantastic!

On first listen you'll find nice electronic samples and great vocals on all tracks, but it's by the second and third listen that the album really grabs you and doesn't let you go. This record seems like it could have been a full release in it's own right since the remixes sound quite varied and interesting with nary a weak track to be found. A very eclectic and worthwhile companion to Tweaker's impressive debut "An Attraction To All Things Uncertain".

Tracks:

Marquis
Dissent
Dangerous Shoes
On A Tuesday
Stay Awhile
Restriction
Ray Liotta
She's Sick
Twisted
Beds
Unresolved
Smear
Ether
Bonus Track

Customer Reviews:

How did this get overlooked?.......2001-06-25

This is hot, there are five very good songs (Marquis, On A Tuesday, Restriction, Ray Liotta and Smear) that rock on out in the mode of maybe Magnapop or Letters to Cleo at their best. The female lead singer doesn't have a lot of range, pretty much spoken-voice type singing with a sneer, but it works with the music. Makes you stomp, it's great straight-forward nasty rock.

One of my favorite CD's.......1999-04-13

This isn't a really unique CD, or an incredibly creative one. Still though, it creates such perfect soundscapes to the lyric storys about all kinds of VU'ish sultriness. It's a very cokey record, and is filled with desperate clinging and casual insanity. Caroline Fitch's vocals are so perfectly sexy and dangerous and half there, and the guitars cut and thrust so angrily. If you like Garbage, Hole, or the Velvets you may like this.

S'good.......1999-01-26

To be fair, some of what the review above says is true. This is a fairly dark album, and is very angst filled. However, much alternative music with female vocals seems to follow that kind of pattern.

I love this, I think that some of the songs are very beautifully sung and the voice of Caroline Finch is ideally suited to the angsty lyrics.

A night on the lino.......1998-07-08

I first heard this band on a Session's Mag Cover CD (the track that was labelled 'Dangerous Shoes' appears on Dissent as 'Ways to Escape') and have been searching for their stuff ever since.

Why? Well, firstly the lead's voice is very sultry, even when she speak in French. And it captures a rough around the edges pub gig feel that appeals in it's striving and imperfections.

Tracks:

Ain't No Place To Pee On Mardi Gras Day
Iko Iko/All On A Mardi Gras Day
Do Whatcha Wanna
The Wild Linoleum (Part II)
Carnival Time
Mardi Gras Mambo
All Them Parades
Go To The Mardi Gras
Ain't No Place To Pee On Mardi Gras Day (Second Line Version)
The Wild Linoleum
Over By Your Mama'n Nem

Average customer rating:

Supanaturalz
Natural Chaos
Manufacturer: Linoleum Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAFCFQ
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Tracks:

Rebel Yell
Renegade Style
Focus
Skeletons
Old School Battle Rhymes
Numb
Bedlam
Art of Life
Teenage Tragedy
Keep It Underground

Average customer rating:

Linoleum Years

Manufacturer: Modulus Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CA7CLS
Release Date: 2001-05-15

Average customer rating:

Linoleum
Crown Jewels
Manufacturer: Thunderdog Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000256N8
Release Date: 2001-10-09

Tracks:

Lovers on Earth
Toughest Girl in the Neighborhood
Last Confession
Believe Me, Camille
He's So Zen
Strawberryvelvetfiftycentshoes
Heart Shaped Glasses
Peace

Average customer rating:

Linoleum

Manufacturer: Odor
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000007YNY
Release Date: 2007-07-24

Average customer rating:

Exceptional Lyrics + Great Music = An Awesome CD
Exceptional Lyrics + Great Music = An Awesome CD

Linoleum
Crown Jewels
Manufacturer: Thunderdog Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000IQ7A
Release Date: 2000-04-21

Tracks:

Lovers On Earth
Toughest Girl In The Neighborhood
Last Confession
Believe Me Camille
He's So Zen
Strawberry Velvet Fifty Cent Shoes
Heart Shaped Glasses
Peace

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Lyrics + Great Music = An Awesome CD.......1999-06-03

Take one listen to the Crown Jewels' sophomore album and you'll be hooked.

The brothers Conte, singer/guitarist Steve and bassist John, know how to deliver a great album. Early '90s rock fans may remember the Conte boys from the New York City-based Company of Wolves - originally signed to Mercury Records.

After the group split, the Contes formed Crown Jewels and released the debut album, "Spitshine," a few years back (check it out). However, their new Linoleum CD is well worth the wait!

The standout track is "Last Confession," with a rockin' sound and catchy hooks. You'll dig the slow grooves of "Strawberryvelvetfiftycentshoes." And you might relate to loving the "Toughest Girl in the Neighborhood."

If you think the songs sound awesome on CD, they sound even better played live. Pick up a copy of Linoleum and see the Jewels perform when they come to your town!

Exceptional Lyrics + Great Music = An Awesome CD.......1999-06-03

Take one listen to the Crown Jewels' sophomore album and you'll be hooked.

After the group split, the Contes formed Crown Jewels and released the debut album, "Spitshine," a few years back (check it out). However, their new Linoleum CD is well worth the wait!

If you think the songs sound awesome on CD, they sound even better played live. Pick up a copy of Linoleum and see the Jewels perform when they come to your town!

Smear / Tired / Cellophane
Average customer rating:
Smear / Tired / Cellophane
Linoleum
Manufacturer: Lino
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000QYH80K