Deconstructed (Bush album)
Encyclopedia
Deconstructed is a remix album
by British post-grunge
band Bush
. It did not feature any truly new material more so than it was a collaborative effort between the band and various producers working in the electronic genre of music which showcased complete remixes of the band's previous songs, including such hits as "Everything Zen," "Comedown," and "Swallowed." "Mouth (The Stingray Mix)" was released as a single in 1997 and became a minor hit, due largely in part to it being featured prominently in both the trailer and the 1997 film An American Werewolf in Paris
. Notably, the song was remixed by the members of Bush, under their "Stingray" alias.
Three tracks from this album, "Mouth (The Stingray Mix)," "Everything Zen (The Lhasa Fever Mix)," and "Swallowed (The Goldie/Both Sides Toasted Please Mix)," also appear on Bush's 2005 greatest hits compilation, The Best of: 1994-1999
.
In a 1997 interview with NY Rock
, Gavin Rossdale
noted the development of Deconstructed:
, Deconstructed often stands among the band's studio catalog and has been frequently cited regarding Bush's transformation from simple post-grunge to more experimental rock. It was followed two years later by their third studio album, The Science of Things
, which continued this incorporation of electronic elements
into hard rock. This decision brought upon mixed reviews throughout the music world.
Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine suggested that Deconstructed reflected Bush's need to diversify in the face of the fading post-grunge style. He also prospected that, while some remixes turned out well, Deconstructed would fail to satisfy either audience; Bush fans would allegedly "hate" several tracks because of the stray from the traditional grunge sound, and dance
/electronica
fans would find much of it "unimaginative."
Robert Levine of Rolling Stone
also showed skepticism in Bush's sudden decision to jump into electronic experimentation after long establishing themselves as a stripped down hard rock act. Nevertheless, he claimed, "they make the move more easily than one might expect." Levine complemented various tracks including the "eerie soundscape" of "Swallowed" and added that "amid that ominous din, Gavin Rossdale
's voice comes through only occasionally and faintly. Ironically, it's one of the strongest musical statements he's made yet."
Tracks 1, 9, and 10 are remixes of songs from the album Sixteen Stone
. Tracks 2-8 are remixes of songs from the album Razorblade Suitcase
. The eleventh track, "In a Lonely Place," was previously released on The Crow: City of Angels
soundtrack, with some of the other remixes being available as B-sides on the Bonedriven CD singles.
Remix album
A remix album is an album consisting mostly of remixes or re-recorded versions of a music artists' earlier released material.One of the earliest remix albums was 1971's Aerial Pandemonium Ballet by Harry Nilsson, which was released by Nilsson after the successes of Everybody's Talkin and The Point!...
by British post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
band Bush
Bush (band)
Bush are an alternative rock band formed in London in 1992 shortly after vocalist/guitarist Gavin Rossdale and guitarist Nigel Pulsford met in a London nightclub. Realising they shared a love for such diverse artists as the Pixies, Bob Marley, The Jesus Lizard, MC5, Nirvana, Hüsker Dü, and Big...
. It did not feature any truly new material more so than it was a collaborative effort between the band and various producers working in the electronic genre of music which showcased complete remixes of the band's previous songs, including such hits as "Everything Zen," "Comedown," and "Swallowed." "Mouth (The Stingray Mix)" was released as a single in 1997 and became a minor hit, due largely in part to it being featured prominently in both the trailer and the 1997 film An American Werewolf in Paris
An American Werewolf in Paris
An American Werewolf in Paris is a 1997 horror/comedy film about werewolves. It was directed by Anthony Waller and stars Tom Everett Scott and Julie Delpy...
. Notably, the song was remixed by the members of Bush, under their "Stingray" alias.
Three tracks from this album, "Mouth (The Stingray Mix)," "Everything Zen (The Lhasa Fever Mix)," and "Swallowed (The Goldie/Both Sides Toasted Please Mix)," also appear on Bush's 2005 greatest hits compilation, The Best of: 1994-1999
The Best of: 1994-1999
The Best of: 1994-1999 is a greatest hits double album by British post-grunge band Bush. Disc one consists of the band's hit songs, while disc two is their performance at Woodstock '99...
.
In a 1997 interview with NY Rock
NY Rock
NY Rock is a music website that covers the New York City music scene. Founded in 1996, it contains music and movie news, interviews, concert reviews, a gig guide, feature articles and blogs....
, Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
noted the development of Deconstructed:
- "It was an interesting idea, to try and mix two completely different genres, maybe influence the whole dance and technoTechnoTechno is a form of electronic dance music that emerged in Detroit, Michigan in the United States during the mid to late 1980s. The first recorded use of the word techno, in reference to a genre of music, was in 1988...
scene with some good old fashioned rock. In a way, they are the old singles, but remixed they’ve got a completely different slant which is certainly interesting."
Reception
While not a studio albumStudio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Deconstructed often stands among the band's studio catalog and has been frequently cited regarding Bush's transformation from simple post-grunge to more experimental rock. It was followed two years later by their third studio album, The Science of Things
The Science of Things
The Science Of Things is the third studio album by British post-grunge band Bush. Released in 1999, it was the last Bush album under Trauma Records...
, which continued this incorporation of electronic elements
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
into hard rock. This decision brought upon mixed reviews throughout the music world.
Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine suggested that Deconstructed reflected Bush's need to diversify in the face of the fading post-grunge style. He also prospected that, while some remixes turned out well, Deconstructed would fail to satisfy either audience; Bush fans would allegedly "hate" several tracks because of the stray from the traditional grunge sound, and dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
/electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
fans would find much of it "unimaginative."
Robert Levine of Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
also showed skepticism in Bush's sudden decision to jump into electronic experimentation after long establishing themselves as a stripped down hard rock act. Nevertheless, he claimed, "they make the move more easily than one might expect." Levine complemented various tracks including the "eerie soundscape" of "Swallowed" and added that "amid that ominous din, Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin McGregor Rossdale is an English musician, known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Bush as well as an actor. Following Bush's separation in 2002, which lasted for eight years, he was the lead singer and guitarist for Institute, and later began a solo career. He...
's voice comes through only occasionally and faintly. Ironically, it's one of the strongest musical statements he's made yet."
Track listing
- "Everything ZenEverything Zen"Everything Zen" is the debut single released by British alternative rock band Bush in early 1995 from their debut album Sixteen Stone.-Music video:...
" (The Lhasa Fever Mix)- 4:17 - "Mouth" (The Stingray Mix)- 4:32 (5:59 Europe album version)
- "SwallowedSwallowed (song)Swallowed is a song by British post-grunge band Bush. It was included on the 1996 album Razorblade Suitcase, which topped the Billboard 200 chart...
" (GoldieGoldieClifford Joseph Price, better known as Goldie is an English electronic music artist, disc jockey, visual artist and actor. He is well known for his innovations in the jungle and drum and bass music genres, having previously gained exposure for his work as a graffiti artist...
/Toasted Both Sides Please Mix)- 5:48 - "Synapse" (Philip SteirPhilip SteirPhilip Steir is a musician, remixer, composer and music producer.- Life and career :As a drummer, he played in the critically acclaimed band Consolidated he co-founded, which was signed to Nettwerk Records and later London Records. Consolidated released five albums between 1990-1996...
/My Ghost In The Bush Of Life Mix)- 6:29 - "History" (Dub PistolsDub PistolsDub Pistols are a London based dub music and big beat band, founded by ex-club promoter, Barry Ashworth, in 1996. The other members of the band were record producer and bassist Jason O'Bryan, Brooklyn producer and lyricist, T. K. Lawrence on vocals, Jap Slut guitarist John King, and turntablist DJ...
Mix)- 5:44 - "Personal Holloway" (Fabio Paras/Soundclash Republic Mix)- 6:21
- "BonedrivenBonedriven"Bonedriven" is the third single by post grunge band Bush from their 1996 second album Razorblade Suitcase. As a Bush single, it followed the hit singles "Swallowed" and "Greedy Fly." "Bonedriven" and "Cold Contagious" are the only Bush singles from 1994–1999 not to be included on the band's 2005...
" (Mekon/Beat Me Clever Mix)- 5:16 - "Insect Kin" (Jack DangersJack DangersJack Dangers is an electronic musician, DJ, producer, and remixer best known for his work as the primary member of Meat Beat Manifesto. He lives in San Francisco.-Career:...
/Drum and Bees Mix)- 7:05 - "ComedownComedown (song)"Comedown" is a single by British rock band Bush from their first album Sixteen Stone. It was released as the third single from the album in 1995.-Music video:The music video was directed by Jake Scott from the 19th to 21 June 1995 in Los Angeles...
" (Lunatic CalmLunatic CalmLunatic Calm were a UK-based electronic music group formed in 1996. Despite a wide-ranging sound palette, the group was best known for their high impact, industrial-tinged big beat compositions.-History:...
Mix)- 6:37 - "Everything ZenEverything Zen"Everything Zen" is the debut single released by British alternative rock band Bush in early 1995 from their debut album Sixteen Stone.-Music video:...
" (Derek DeLarge Mix)- 7:17 - "In a Lonely PlaceCeremony (song)"Ceremony" is a song by Joy Division, released as New Order's debut single in 1981. The song, as well as the B-side, "In a Lonely Place", were written as Joy Division prior to the death of Ian Curtis...
" (TrickyTrickyTricky is an English musician and actor. As a producer and a musician, he is noted for a dark, rich and layered sound and a whispering sprechgesang lyrical style. Culturally, Tricky encourages an intertwining of societies, particularly in his musical fusion of rock and hip hop, high art and pop...
Mix)- 5:57
Tracks 1, 9, and 10 are remixes of songs from the album Sixteen Stone
Sixteen Stone
Sixteen Stone is the debut album of British rock band Bush. Released in 1994 through Trauma Records, it boasted numerous successful singles and is widely regarded as the band's most popular album.-Title:...
. Tracks 2-8 are remixes of songs from the album Razorblade Suitcase
Razorblade Suitcase
Razorblade Suitcase is the second album by the British grunge band Bush, released in November 1996 by Trauma Records. The album is widely believed to have signaled the demise of the "grunge" genre, as it was one of the last widely-known albums released bearing a grunge-sound.-Album title:The...
. The eleventh track, "In a Lonely Place," was previously released on The Crow: City of Angels
The Crow: City of Angels
The Crow: City of Angels is a 1996 action film directed by Tim Pope. It is a sequel to the 1994 cult film The Crow.-Plot:The film is set in Los Angeles, where drug king Judah Earl controls it all...
soundtrack, with some of the other remixes being available as B-sides on the Bonedriven CD singles.