steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Books On Tape / Various

"Mad Cow Variations" CD

Slide The Needle

Genres: electronica, experimental electronica

Slide The Nedle
1318 Maryland Drive
Ladson, South Carolina 29456

Nov 18 - 24 2002

Mad Cow Variations, a remix album based on Books On Tape's song "Bossy Cow," which appeared on Skylab Operations' "2088" compilation, is packed with a number of interesting electronic remixes.  While some parts are better than others, there is still a lot to enjoy here.

The album starts off with Headphone Science's "Conspicuous Parking Mix," which boasts some interesting IDM-esque rhythms and moves on from there.  The neat "Golden Arches Mix" by V.V. builds up and then sends out a bunch of powerful shotgun blasts of noisey beat, carrying you quickly over the edge.

Octagon Inc.'s "Teaser Mix," meanwhile, is a playful little piece that is fun the first time, but isn't structured enough for repeated listens.  Alternatively, Dick Richard's (HA HA HA DICK RICHARD) "Skinny Leather Tie Mix" is a moody rendition that brings to mind comparisons to Autechre and the calmer side of Plaid.  And Books on Tape's "Geek Revolution Version," meanwhile, has a funkified Prodigy vibe to it - it's specifically similar to the new "Baby's Got a Temper" single.

All in all, this is an enjoyable release from Books On Tape that bodes well for his upcoming full-length on Deathbomb Arc, due out in December.  On the minus side, though, like most remix albums, this suffers from a lack of structure.  The songs each work well alone, but as a collection there really isn't anything pulling them together.

75%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 8 tracks; distributed by the label; released 2002]