In summary:

Deconstructed is the sound of a band searching for their identity but not finding it. The main positive here is the killer remix of Mouth, and the fact that this brief experiementation with electronic music may have started the band on the path which ultimately led to 1998’s much-improved The Science Of Things.

Deconstructed receives 2/11.
★ ★

Arriving in late 1997, Deconstructed is a collection of remixes taken from the band’s second album, Razorblade Suitcase.

It was a blatant attempt by Gavin Rossdale and co. to diversify their sound in order to shake off the endless Nirvana comparisons which had dogged them since their debut LP.

Unfortunately it fails to deliver on all fronts.

The main problem with Deconstructed is that fans of dance and electronica music will find much of the material rather dull, whereas fans of Bush will find the material utter nonsense, so it doesn’t really have an audience to appeal to, making it nothing more than a waste of time.

The one bright spot from this collection is the killer remix of Mouth, which spent an impressive 23 weeks on the Billboard Alternative Airplay Chart, peaking at #5. It’s the only song on Deconstructed which doesn’t stray too far from the source material, and the heftier production it receives here actually goes a long way to address the biggest issue that most fans had with Bush’s ultra-raw second album. You could also make a case that this brief experimentation with electronic music may have carried over into the recording sessions for their next proper album, the much-improved The Science Of Things.

In summary:

Deconstructed is the sound of a band searching for their identity but not finding it. The main positive here is the killer remix of Mouth, and the fact that this brief experiementation with electronic music may have started the band on the path which ultimately led to 1998’s much-improved The Science Of Things.

Deconstructed receives 2/11.
★ ★