 Smoke - Heaven on a Popsicle Stick |
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 | Smoke - Another Reason to Fast
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Average user rating:  | |
| For When It Rains | |
| These guys should be more well known. Ofcourse, there are a number of factors as to why they aren't. First off, they're no longer together since their raspy, eccentric frontman, Benjamin passed on. Secondly, they were never on a major or hip Indy label. Yet, their praises have been sung by such folks as REM's Micheal Stipe, Patti Smith & Vic Chesnutt. For my money, what The Velvet Underground did for the 60's, Smoke has done for the 90's in a sort of Americana way. Like VU they are raw, passionate, cutting edge & achingly beautiful. There's the usual drums & electric guitar and a touch of banjo. But it's all offset by the steady churn of Brian Halloran's cello & Bill Taft's soaring coronet. There aren't many acts around that use this combination so predominantly & so effectively. Cutting through it all, is lead singer Benjamin's gloriously gruff vocals. Tom Waits & Nick Cave are obvious comparisons. Lyrically, things seemed ripped out some long lost notebook by Hubert Selby Jr. or Flannery O'Connor. Standouts here include the harrowingly intense, "Clean White Bed" & the dark, driving,"Shadowbox". "Dream" is as heartbreaking as "Fatherland" is sparse & haunting. If you're a fan of Vic Chesnutt, Lambchop or the aformentioned Waits & Cave---this is for you. For the full story, check out Jem Cohen & Peter Sillen's award winning documentary, Benjamin Smoke. Without a doubt this is one of the most original bands I've heard in years. Wish there was more but their only other record is the similarly wonderful, Heaven On A Popsicle Stick. | |
| If you find it then grab it, take it home, & it will grab u! | |
| HIGHLY RECOMMENDED if you are a Tom Waits or Nick Cave fan. Or anyone who likes good music. When I was probably too young to get in a few of us snuck in to see Opal Foxx Quartet. We'd heard about The Impotent Sea Snakes so wanted to check out what was going on. I guess we ended up staying too late for our own good. But for reasons we didn't quite understand we loved l Foxx and then Smoke both were so unique. Sort of like the beauty of dirt. If you just glance you might get the wrong idea. Stay, stare and you'll realize how great the music really is. Benjamin was always great. I personally had the pleasure of meeting him on various occasions. In clubs, bars, or elsewhere. The few recordings that exists are a treasure of his work. Definitely shouldn't be missed. Another Reason To Fast strikes me sometimes as spooky, funny, personal...I could go on. Benjamin says himself in the film BENJAMIN SMOKE that it's best not to talk too much about the music. Because it can affect everyone in a different way. | |
| bill taft is [attractive] | |
| One of the greatest cds I've ever owned... pretty much only second to the first smoke record. From the ashes of the Opal Foxx Quartet, Smoke was formed. From the ashes of Smoke, Hubcap City was formed. You can order the reissued cds from cdbaby, or straight from the band, go to the Benjamin Remembered site. And look for Benjamin Smoke, coming out on DVD in January. |
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