May I speak freely? Okay then. Before I wrote reviews for this fantastic rag, I used to buy CDs. Still do, sometimes, but I hardly ever buy remix CDs. Don't know why? Well, I'd estimate conservatively that 90% of the remix collections out there are absolute shit that even the die- hard fans of a group would turn their noses up at.

Which brings us to Spahn Ranch's Retrofit. What could be a better move than following the critically acclaimed Architecture with a remix disc of tracks found therein? Seems like a good idea. And, it doesn't work too badly in real life. "Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys" is resurrected for two more cuts, as are "Monochrome" and "Aftermath." Retrofit's remixers indulge Spahn Ranch's goth- industrial roots (they're on Cleopatra, fer chrissakes) as a shade of flavoring over these ten above- average tracks that could only be described as techno. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everybody's doing it. Remixes are supposed to be hard, repetitive and uninspired, right? It's the strobes. Does something to the brain.

Retrofit is better than most, offering a crust of originality to the glut of remixes that crowd Sam Greedy's shelves these days. But, as mah granpappy used to say, "Ain't no honor to bein' the smelliest piece of shit on the compost heap." I'd agree. Retrofit is not the techno release to get excited about this week. Take a nap. Think about it. Maybe.

-James P. Wisdom