Deadbeat: Preliminary Findings
~scape

Deadbeat's Preliminary Findings EP presents two diametrically opposed spins on New World Observer's “Abu Ghraib” and sweetens the deal with a Mike Shannon overhaul of “Texas Tea.” Though its opening moments hint at dancehall, “Abu Ghraib (Rage Mix)” quickly dives into a jacking techno swamp propelled by broiling burble and driving bass lines; oddly, the treatment not only seems less consumed by rage than joy but also omits the distorted harangue of the right-wing radio announcer that forms the intro to the album version. That element is re-instated in “Abu Ghraib (Tension Dub)” where drum brush patterns, organ accents, and scarred guitar twang foster a brooding character whose spirit is entirely unlike the first version. “Texas Tea (Mike Shannon Remix)” hijacks the proceedings out of the Middle East for a straight-up rolling club mix that skips and sways for a blissful nine minutes. Interestingly, there's more techno in “Abu Ghraib (Rage Mix)” and the Shannon mix combined than there is on New World Observer in its entirety.

June 2005