Big Tobacco

Joe Pernice

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 9, 2001)
• Original Release Date: September 26, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ashmont Records
• ASIN: B00005R5MV
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #176,981 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of Joe's best work, June 1, 2001

By A Customer

I couldn't disagree more with the review by the music fan from Indianapolis. Since his/hers was the only review posted, I decided that I MUST provide a different perspective.

"Big Tobacco" is less energetic than the Pernice Brothers' "Overcome by Happiness," and perhaps this is what the other reviewer found disappointing. However, a closer listen to any of the tracks reveals a melodic sensibility that almost can't help itself: Pernice simply writes some of the most beautiful music out there today.

Various critics, always eager to classify music, have pigeonholed Joe Pernice's work in the "alt-country" genre. Though I am a fan of that genre myself, I don't feel that Pernice's music can be so easily classified. His achingly gorgeous songs and dark lyrics are extremely compelling. Sure, "Big Tobacco" doesn't rock very hard, but I find something new with every listen.

"Prince Valium" is an excellent introduction, a mid-tempo number with subdued drums. "The Pill" follows in a similar vein but with distinctly different rhythms; with "Bum Leg," however, Pernice anchors the album with a jangly masterpiece. A narrative vocal from the point of view of a derelict (or some similarly unsavory character), combined with lovely guitar work and a surprisingly simple but mean-sounding riff.

After "Bum Leg," the album slows down a bit--drums fade into the background or disappear altogether, and the tempos slow, but always there is Pernice's fabulously expressive voice, and his lyrics, which are surely among the best being written these days. The fairly lo-fi production only serves to highlight the genius of Pernice's work.

This is a hauntingly beautiful album and should not be missed. The only disappointment I felt was that it's only nine tracks long.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Is this healthy?, November 23, 2001

By A Customer

The question is not whether Joe Pernice is brilliant or not. The question is whether it is healthy listening to his music. Tempered with happier albums in between listenings, I'd say yes, my good friend.
This is his 6th album (the 7th and last in my collection because until recently only available as an expensive import). I give this one an easy four stars, although it's probably my least favorite of the 7. I give everything else he's done 5 stars, except the first Pernice Brothers album.
My slight problem with this one is the same as with that one. Half of the songs are absolute brilliant pop country masterpieces and then there are maybe 3 songs in there that are just so slow and depressing and and humorless and drag along that even if there are brilliant lyrics in there I can't bring myself to not hit the track forward button before having severely suicidal thoughts.
The contrast between the ultra-gorgeous pop songs and the ultra slow ones in these 2 records is just too much. Maybe menacing, slow moving dark clouds just seem too ugly when put next to super pretty, fluffy dark clouds.
Chappaquiddick Skyline, the one before this, all ultra-depressing as mentioned---somehow in it's uniform depressingness, in the end manages to be thoroughly uplifting to me.
Anyway, the first 4 tracks are utterly brilliant and might be the first thing I'd play for someone to convert them into a Joe Pernice fan.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a reverse "grower", July 31, 2004

By	Davy (Athens, GA) - See all my reviews

here's what i said then: "the album that's gonna make me have to change my year-end best of list...this guy puts out three albums a year it seems like, all under different names...this time he's simply gone with his own name. great rootsy record, it'll make my top five."

in retrospect, this album's second half kills it. the first six songs or so are great, but the momentum dies long before the album's over. don't get me wrong, i'm a huge joe pernice fan, as far back as the scud mountain boys' first albums, but this isn't his best work. it plays like a good solid EP with a few throwaway bonus tracks.