Search - Pigeonhed :: Pigeonhed

Is that all there is?

Lawson M. Key | Cody, WY | 03/24/2006

(2 out of 5 stars)

"This album has some decent elements on it...the incredible voice of Shawn Smith, and some of the songs have some funky beats, but its too primitive, sparse and monotonous. The beats sound like a guy who was up to his ears in the no-frills gunge scene got his hands on a drum machine and thought it would be cool to make a record. The beats are simply not great. It comes off kind of like sparse trip-hop (one song reminded me a little of Soul II Soul). Also, several songs keep the same beat throughout. There aren't 'parts' to the songs. Smith was probably still developing his vocal sound at that time, and spends much of his time in the falsetto range, which is treated with a strong reverb effect, causing him to sound light and ethereal. He doesn't dig into his dirty blues style here, and frankly, it probably wouldn't fit if he did, but I miss that facet of his voice I've grown to love through the bands Brad and Satchel. But the music and the vocals don't compliment each other. Shawn's voice floats above the dank sounding beats, and there never seemed to be much play between the two. It lacks the dynamics of the song "Battle Flag"; the only other Pigeonhed song I was familiar with before I got this CD.



The summary effect is an experimental sounding album. Maybe good for being introspective by yourself. THere's kind of a sensual vibe (mostly from the vocals), so some might like to be with their woman (or man) to this CD but I wouldn't pull it out at a party, unless you want people to go home."

Worth the effort

Huntsman | Austin, TX USA | 06/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shawn Smith is said to have discovered his voice singing along to Prince songs in the shower, a detail which seems very appropriate after hearing this album. Smith's voice is one that has kept me following him over the years across several different projects that he's worked on, and it doesn't hurt that he tends to work with other talented musicians. On this album you'll find producer Steve Fisk and a little bit o' guitar supplied by Kim Thayil of Soundgarden fame. The combination of Shawn Smith and Fisk is incredible. Fisk's production is very murky and is constantly tugging at the melody that Smith has laid down, and vice versa. The dynamic works so well for me that I have consistently pulled this album out over the last 7 years since I bought it, and I'm still almost as excited about it as I was then."

Straaaaaange

Huntsman | 10/05/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a stone in the church of music. You discover the marvellous voice of the great Shawn Smith and you can immagine what will arrive later.... Satchel, Brad, and more. Buy it and continue the discover of my favourite voice."