Mindless Self Indulgence- Straight to Video

Artist: Mindless Self Indulgence
CD Title: Straight To Video: The Remixes
Label: Metropolis Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 4/16/06

Fifteen remixes of one song seems like overkill. Is there any way that this CD could be anything but exhausting, especially given the fact that Mindless Self Indulgence singer Jimmy Urine, an acquired taste at best, has perhaps the single most grating voice in the history of rock music? The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Although a few of these remixes, like Funker Vogt's futuristic EBM and Assemblage 23's melancholy synthesizers, seem a little unsuited to the original's blend of irreverent punk rock and samplers, there are also quite a few gems on this extended EP. Some of the best incorporate elements of hip-hop in a surprising but gloriously chaotic amalgam of styles. Haujobb's mix adds sampled raps to a minimalist hip-hop interpretation, while Greg "Bro Peezy" Poole's original rhymes fit seamlessly with the original vocals on his version. A number of artists simply add their own signature sounds to the original vocals, like The Birthday Massacre's modern goth pop, KMFDM's funky hard rock attitude, and Combichrist's pounding techno noise, but the most uncharacteristic versions are some of the most interesting. Front Line Assembly side project Noise Unit depart from the dark atmospheres of their recent album Voyeur in favor of frantic beats and vocal glitches, while EBM legends Front 242 retain the guitars of the original track while adding more electronic interludes. KHZ's mix picks an unlikely route, turning the song into a mournful piano ballad, but somehow it works. Clocking in at well over an hour, this is still a lot of "Straight To Video" unless you're a real fanatic for Mindless Self Indulgence, but if you find yourself inspired rather than worn out, the band has also included an a capella track and an instrumental version in case you'd like to try your hand at making your own remix. And even if you find things getting repetitive, it's hard to argue about getting this much music for the price of a single.

Visit Mindless Self Indulgence on the Web at www.mindlessselfindulgence.com.