Search - Papa M :: Live From A Shark Cage

The next "pink moon"?

Jonathan J. Casey | the twin cities | 11/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was stunned and amazed to catch part of "Plastic Energy Man" in a television commercial recently. It's subtle but it's there.My first encounter with Papa M was at a Stereolab show in December 1999...never heard of 'em, wasn't paying attention...until this song that had been going on and on caught my attention. I went in to get a closer look and stood transfixed for the remainder of their set. What I'd heard was "I Am Not Lonely With Cricket" which is a fifteen minute minimalist masterpiece (it takes up the entirety of the third side of the LP). I bought this record at the show and listened to it that night in a drunken haze, and have loved it ever since. This is wonderful, mostly instrumental indie-rock in the vein of Tortoise and Rachel's, deserving of a close listen but not bad as a backdrop to conversation, either. Never before has the electric guitar been treated so carefully and gently, as can be heard in the opening and closing "Arundel," which has a thick, metallic sound but still manages to work as a lullaby. Various electronic sounds weave in and out of the different guitar textures, not to mention the vocals of "Drunken Spree" and some answering machine messages, among other things. Beautiful and original sounds abound throughout, proving there is still life to guitar music. No- it isn't rock'n'roll- but it's much more organic than the digital-domain ambient music that's so popular with the kids these days...anyway, listen and enjoy...there's a lot to like here."

Genius

01/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is, simply put-one of the most incredible albums ever made. I first heard papa m when opening for stereolab. From the first notes of their set I stood transfixed, stunned, amazed, at the beatuy and simpicity of their music. David Pajo (who wrote and performed all the parts on this Cd) is truely a genius, one of the most original and intelligent guitar players in any style of music. Also check out the s/t Ariel M album, sort of a little brother to this album....Btw-this IS NOT a live album."

A slow burner

F. H. Payne | Chicago, IL United States | 07/18/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As soon as you put this one in your discman, you know it's not in a hurry to get anywhere. But for that very reason, it has become one of my favorites. It seems that any CD I immediately fall in love with tends to get old almost as fast. I was not immediately impressed with any track. So what's it all about? Mostly the basics, guitar, bass, and drums. Halfway through the cd you might start to think it's all sounding the same but that's not a bad thing! How many bands (and even some Dave Pajo stuff) throw in a bunch of extra garbage and "found sounds" just for the sole purpopse of making a song start differently from the last track? Sure, they throw in some non-traditional sounds here and there but they always lend something positive to the song instead of making you look behind your back because you think a truck is backing up. What you get here is honest music; guitar chords that make you want to read a music theory book. Drums that make you listen intently for every little hi-hat pulse. Every little reverb and echo takes me inside the studio, wondering if the floors were made of wood or carpet. Beautiful music."