NSRGNTS RMXS

The remixed versions of Steven Wilson's first "proper" solo album are, at the time of this writing, online as free streaming tracks; that's good, because there was no way in the world I was going to shell out so much as a dime for this. Why the original album is highly regarded is, to be honest, beyond me, but I realize people esteem things for different reasons. I also balk at the sheer number of editions: Limited deluxe edition, retail editions (digipak and super jewel case versions), Japanese edition, limited vinyl edition, the single "Harmony Korine," a film, and then this compilation of remixes. Such extravagance is an exercise in marketing overkill, akin to how if something exists, there is a Monopoly board game for it. Rather than a dozen different versions full of the same generally boring and noisy stuff, there should have been a single version consisting of remarkable music. To make matters even more laughable, "Abandoner" is featured twice! The exception here is Pat Mastelotto's remix of "Salvaging," which took a dull work and made it a fair bit better. As this is merely the remix of five tracks from an album I have already reviewed, I will forgo a track by track description. Just take what I've already said in my initial review and add the phrases "electronic beats," "more noises," "additional effects," and "still stinks."