Tweaker, aka Chris Vrenna, is probably still best known for his former occupation as drummer of Nine Inch Nails - a job he left in 1996, just after the release of "Further Down the Spiral", (the remix project of the landmark album "The Downward Spiral") - however, step by step, this is set to change.

After years of producing and remixing a plethora of familiar names (Hole, Marilyn Manson, Megadeth, Metallica and U2; to name a few), Vrenna released a debut "solo" album under the guise of Tweaker - called "The Attraction To All Things Uncertain", which could best be described as a moody showcase of alternative electronica with occasional vocals performed by guest artists.

On the 2004 sophomore effort, Tweaker delves a little deeper into the varying substance of each song, resulting in a more engaging album; still chock-full of moody and industrial electronica, but wrapped in more instrumental work.  Comparisons are always going to be made to Nine Inch Nails, but a listen from start to finish raises the question: Does Tweaker draw from NIN, or was Vrenna a stronger influence on Trent Rezner from the beginning?

2 a.m. Wakeup Call re-employs guest vocalists Will Oldham (aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy), and David Sylvian; (both lent vocals on the debut album) and a few new names including Hamilton Leithauser on "It's Still Happening" (probably the most impressive track on the album), and the Cure's Robert Smith, on "Truth Is".

Although the vocal inclusions on both Tweaker albums seem to be among the more memorable tracks, "The House I Grew Up In" (featuring guitarist Johnny Marr); the spooky, egyption-sounding "Movement Of Fear"; and the dark-industrial track "Cauterized" are a reminder of the quality Tweaker achieves on his own.  (See also "Swamp" off the debut album).

For those Industrial music fans not interested in the more brutal metal the genre has to offer, Tweaker is well worth exploring while waiting for the next Nine Inch Nails release.