Together with "My Downfall" and "Rossz Csillag Alatt Született" is this 7 highlight in my musical collection. As it was written before, TBE is one of very few spinechilling tracks that can be compared to for example Amon Tobin`s godlike stuff of Permutation or Out From Outwere. I must admit that I`m not big fan of VS`s remaining insane stuff but I do have a respect for his work in general. Recommended 5/5.

I think this is an amazing 7" indeed. Calling 'This Bitter Earth' (as Ecuadorian_bass does above) "the pinnacle of Aaron Funk's output" may be a daring statement (considering the hugeness of that output) but without a doubt it is an absolutely splendid piece of music.
The track shows (without 'showing it off') Funk's musical erudition and maturity as well as his very own style, technique and mastery.
For those of you who like classical music: in "This Bitter Earth" Funk also samples a part of one of Franz Schubert's (1797-1828) most beautiful and moving string quartets: String Quartet No. 14 in D minor, called "Death and the Maiden". This well chosen sample contributes to what I would call the melancholic yet at the same time warm atmosphere of the track.
While I also really love his more "hardcore-f*cked-up-breakin'-pumpin'-deadly-stompin'" stuff, I think I love and respect Venetian Snares (and Funk's other pseudonyms) the most for releases like this one, and for instance the brilliant album 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Született'. Because in these works he combines digital & technical intricacy with humanity, rough edges and emotion. And after all, if there's something important for me in music... it is emotion (in one form or other).

Since I bought this 7" when it was first released, I think I've listened to 'Moonglow' a couple of times because 'This Bitter Earth' completely overshadows it.
For me 'This Bitter Earth' is the pinnacle of Aaron Funk's output as a prolific recording artist. Nothing previous to this release, or after for that matter, has come close to the perfection of this audio sculpture.
Drenched in emotion, this track is as restrained as anything Snares has released. Clipped snares and jazzy horns, Danny Elfman, Nina Simone and his unique programming make this a hugely enjoyable listening experience every single time I listen to it.
It's really a standout moment in his musical history. I can't compare it with anything else that Funk has produced because it's as though he was in a completely 'other' frame of mind when he made it. Every element used to create this heady brew can stand alone by itself, but when realised as a whole it really does verge on what I would call musical perfection.

Yeah, it doesn't get much more soulful than "This Bitter Earth". Just has kind of a meloncholy feeling to it, but happy at the same time. Don't ask me how that's possible, but that's what my ears tell me. He was right down to the heart of it when he made this one, for sure.

This 7" is quite good. I get the feeling that Funk is doing something interesting on the Addict label, and i like it. Definitely more blatantly jazz oriented than most of his other stuff.