The If You Were / Bleed For You maxi by Acumen Nation is a 8 track CD featuring remixes, radio versions, and unreleased tracks by a band that has solwly evolved through time.  Between their first CD release (1994's Transmissions From Eville) and this release Acumen Nation have not only revamped their name by tacking on the "Nation" part, but they seemed to have reworked their sound as well, becoming a more rock orientated project.  The first two tracks, If You Were and Bleed For You are Radio Edits, meaning that they really aren't too different from the album versions, only shorter in length.  From The Acucrack Remix of If You Were is where this CD starts to become very interesting.  In case you've been living under a rock in Upper Mongolia DJ Acucrack is the techno side project of Acumen Nation.  On this mix they take their own track and give it a nice edge by first omitting most of the guitar sounds in favor of bigger beats and jumpy tech sequences.  As the track progresses the guitars are brought back into the mix giving the listener a chance to hear what both "Acu" projects sound like when melded together.  I found it both surprising and refreshing to hear an updated and remixed version of Gun Lover, possibly Acumen's biggest hit to date.  Once again utilizing their Acucrack project, the Novak brothers inject this once hard and cold electro piece with several techno elements while at the same time keeping the infectious beat and rap-stlyed vocal delivery in place.  On the Verbal Mix of Ventilator a turbulent break beat acts as the backbone of the track, with the raw vocals and deep bass sequences laid on top.  The remaining pieces (Bleed For You [Verbal Mix], Cowboy GOD, and If You Weren't So Goddam Stupid….) are all equally as strong and will give the listener a good idea of what Acumen Nation is all about.  The Novak brothers stand as icons of the US electro scene and both Acumen Nation and DJ Acucrack should not be overlooked!
    
CONSCIENCE RECORDS
450 W. 15th Street
Suite 405
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USA
tel: (212) 627-4700
e-mail: info@conscience.com
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Acumen Nation is:
Jason Novak / Ethan Novak / Jamie Duffy /
Gregory A. Lopez
Contact Acumen Nation @
e-mail: acucrack@suba.com
Acumen Nation homepage:
http://www.mangus.com/acumennation/