PIEBALD are one of those bands of whom I’ve heard of and known about for ages just never really got round to checking out. So prior to listening to their latest effort and reading the accompanying press sheet all I could say about them is they have a cult following and are often pigeon-holed as ‘emo’. The latter is so far from the truth on this release it’s not even funny but it’s obvious that the blend of genre bending apparent would create an opportunity to acquire a legion of adoring fans; it’s certainly one of the most different records I’ve heard in a long time. Anyways, enough of the small talk, let’s analyse this puppy.
The prospect of intensively listening to a 15 track album can sometimes be quite a challenge, fortunately the tracks on this album are short and sweet and that age old expression is really quite fitting when describing this CD as it’s full of lush, bouncy melodies thus making it an instantaneously happy record. Essentially I would have to agree with the press release and call it pop-rock but there’s a hell of a lot more going on that here; track 2, ‘Present Tense’ has a big-band cabaret sort of thing happening in the chorus, not something I’ll expect from, say, you’re average Drive Thru band. The production, on the other hand, (by Paul Q. Kolderie) is just as slick and perfect as anything you’ll find.
Mixing up genres and as a result creating something really unique appears to be a constant aim PIEBALD achieve on just about every track on this release and you can tell from even the first listen a hell of a lot has gone into the songwriting. I’ll be blunt and say I didn’t like it at first, but a few listens it has grown on me, weather it’s the cheesy piano licks matched with BEATLES-esque choruses ‘Haven’t Tried It’ or the rockier moments; ‘Get Old Or Die Trying‘ something has crept up on me leading me to appreciate it for what it is and not just dismiss it as the creation of a bunch of PIXIES fans in a car crash with THE BEATLES whilst MERCURY REV are playing on the stereo, which was my first misguided impression.
Overall I haven’t decided what to make of this in terms of whether I actually like it or not. It’s grown on me as I’ve said and it’s easy on the ears but I think it’s maybe just a bit too different for my taste. However it would be poor journalism to base a review on my humble preferences. In short, if you want something different and haven’t checked out PIEBALD I think this may be a very good place to start indeed. It’s certainly not going to sound like much else released this year and it’s been executed in a polished and thoughtful manner.
Mike
Released on Side One Dummy Records