Search - Dave Pirner :: Faces & Names

Pirner Shows Another Side

jbksauls | 08/15/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Die-hard fans of Soul Asylum may find this solo disc from frontman Dave Pirner a little tough to digest, at least at first. With the exception of the title track very few of the 11 tracks on "Face and Names" would fit on a Soul Asylum record. Anyone expecting the fury of "Somebody To Shove" or even the acoustic touches of "Runaway Train" will have to keep looking. Instead, Pirner and friends create a soulful, cleanly produced set of tracks that, for the most part, work very well. What makes it special is that, while Pirner has changed the sonic nature of his work, his insighful, personal lyrics remain. When he sings that he will "Never Recover", you believe him. Highlights include "Someday Love", "Teach Me To Breath", and "Start Treating People Right". Last but not least there is the title track which, honestly, is among the best songs I've heard this year. Similar to Soul Asylum's "String Of Pearls", the song "Faces and Names" is about as close to perfect as you can imagine and worth the price of the disc in and of itself. I still long for new Soul Asylum music but, if Pirner chooses to do stuff like this in their off-time or even for the rest of his career, I'll be the first in line to check it out."

Different clothes, same attitude

laydownclown | Bologna, Italy | 12/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a Soul Asylum diehard, the 1st listen to this album was some kind of a shock, since the 2 extracts "Faces and Names" and "Never Recover" don't show Dave Pirner's "new sound". RnB Songs like "364" or "Feel The Need" have NOTHING in common with the band, be it Say What You Will or Grave Dancers Union era. But after 2-3 listenings you see the same attitude, same honesty, same talent as every Soul Asylum release. Pirner is now skillful enough to cross genres and still "lookin' good". And, after all this is another Dave Pirner album, the new influences don't make him sound like Blues Brothers!"

He still has "Soul".

H3@+h | VT | 04/12/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I always liked Soul Asylum, but the only reason I got this is because I found it for a few bucks. What a score. True, there's nothing on this disc that actually rocks, but I really like this new sound, and think Dave sounds as good as ever. I liken "Faces And Names" to the first solo albums from Chris Robinson and Chris Cornell, not as great as their former bands, but still very good, and a must for the real fans. "Teach Me To Breathe" must have been the single from this, but I also like "Feel The Need", "Someday Love", and honestly the whole thing is good. Sorry to see this is currently out of print, and no other news from Dave. If you find it, grab it."