Customer Reviews

Burner

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This CD may be the greatest 20 minutes of instrumental progressive/metal/jazz/rock ever released. It is stunning. I have a serious case of breadwinneritis, I cannot stop listening to it. And the recording is fabulous. But the guitar, bass, and drums are amazing, that's what we're talking about here. Long ago, this used to be called "fusion." (I'm 41 so I go back a ways, not that it really matters). Back to the point, if you like this type of music, this cd will give you bloody conniptions. You will not be able to control yourself, and that's a good thing. This is not rock. This is not metal. This is not jazz. Check my terribly long description above. That's my guess as to what it is. If that' s what you like, BUY THIS. But remember, it's instrumental, no vocs.

I guess Amazon's distributor doesn't stock this anymore, but you can still order it direct from the label. (EDIT 5/1/07: Back in stock!)

This is awesome stuff. I've always suspected that they were one of the first bands to be influenced by Helmet. Helmet's first record was the Born Annoying 7 inch single, released in 1989. Breadwinner's debut 7 inch was released in 1990, and to me they sound similar. Similar start/stop staccato style (which was actually unique fifteen years ago when Helmet debuted but has since been imitated by countless wannabe bands in their wake) and abrasive tone. Same drum sound. But where Helmet kept things simple and were structurally "pop," Breadwinner were more complex and progressive. Come to think of it, I guess they sound a lot more like Blind Idiot God than Helmet. You know what, forget what I said about them sounding like Helmet. I was on crack at the time. I say again: awesome stuff.

In a perfect world, these guys would have stuck together and kept writing this amazing music. And maybe the world might have gotten to see and hear them while they were together. But since they only ever put out two ep's and as far as i know never played out beyond their native North Carolina, we only get to consider them in hindsight.

But better late than never! If you enjoy heavy grooves in odd time signatures, then this is a must-have. Imagine King Crimson c. 73-74, played at about double-speed. No solos to speak of here; they would only clutter the sound and distract you from the riffs, which are utterly brilliant. This was truly a power trio, with all three instruments sharing equal billing. Plus, like Don Caballero, these guys knew how to come up with hilarious, bizarre song titles. "Kisses Men on the Mouth on the Mountain"?

The sound is brilliant - lots of crackling energy, but the music is always played with deft precision. I particularly love how the drummer uses the technique of striking a cymbal and immediately "choking" it by grabbing it with his hand, creating a very short splash.

Yes, this is math rock, but it's the best kind - you don't HAVE to be able to identify the warped time signatures they are using, but the more you analyze it, the funkier it gets!

This is the best "math rock" I've ever heard. Some I talked to said that seeing them live struck them dumb for weeks. Sadly I never got the chance to see them. Breadwinner took it to a new level that nobody I've heard has matched since. (thats 6 years now). Burner should be required listening for all "metal" and "math rock" musicians and aficianados.

One of the more complicated records to come out of the South - Richmond's Breadwinner. This band spawned the likes of Butterglove, Ladyfinger, Human Thurma, and a host of other bands in the late 80's/early '90's, but no one came close to the complexity and power of Breadwinner. An absolute staple for any fan of experimental rock music.

Released in 1990 this compilation of all of Breadwinner's singles is still highly relevant in 2005 and simply refuses to budge out of my CD changer.

Seems simple at first, maybe a little discordant, a little too "clever" for its own good. Then, slowly, you realize, no no, it's just clever enough -- to be ****ing brilliant! So much subtlety, so much mathy goodness, so much plain old glorious !ROCK! to be had in these nine tracks. I'm still trying to get to the point where I can tap along to just *one* of the more complex songs perfectly, and still loving it every time I mess up because the song surprised me once again. The drumming is particularly enjoyable. That symbol "choking" technique mentioned in another review never fails to put a smile on my face.

I can only stare into space dreamily and imagine a world where these guys stayed together and released several albums of this stuff. Only the F**king Champs approach (and admittedly, may indeed surpass) this level of excellence. Buy this now and it'll keep you entertained and inspired for countless years to come.

exceptionaly good mathy rock and roll with a metal slant (which, in all honesty, would probably not appeal to most metalheads). these songs draw out alot of frustrated knotty chords and weird time signatures but all is pulled off with class and a slight smirk. the production is lean and crisp and there's actually quite a few melodic lines that get stuck in your head. an influential band/record and one of the reasons for the outbreak of so many sub standard "math rock" bands in later years after it's release. ugh. at least Breadwinner didn't forget to write songs. a recommended cd.

First off, I'm surprised that no one mentioned that this CD is short: only 20 minutes. It's a very small collection of two EPs, and some that didn't make the cut those EPs. But make no mistake, it packs a punch. Breadwinner knows (knew) how to lay it out and get to the point. The songs are short, powerful, and masterfully executed. One of the more aggressive tracks, Exploder, is only 25 seconds long. But what they do in those few seconds is totally undiluted and real.

I suppose this is math rock, but it doesn't feel forced. Like Don Caballero, Breadwinner knew when to steer back in the middle of the lane and keep things steady for a while. It's not all about showing off, though there is certainly a bit of that. As impossible as it sounds, some of the two-minute songs are quite varied compositionally, and manage to introduce some succinct moments of calm before bludgeoning onward.

It is a shame that we won't be hearing more from Breadwinner.

Math Metal, Math Rock, meaningless words. This album has inspired more progress in progressive hardcore, "urban fusion", and whatever else you want to call rhythmically dense music that most people will suspect. Listening to this album and then working through more contemporary albums by groups like Candiria, Dillinger Escape Plan, and so on show you where the roots were, and why so many drummers love this album. Met Chris Farmer in a buddy's health food bodega on Broad Street in Richmond and about jumped down and kissed his feet. This album changed my life and continues to make me laugh with joy. If you can't buy it, burn it. Get this music in your head before you miss out any longer.

Yes it's short, but secrets and mysteries are revealed with every listen. I listen to it and think to myself "how did human beings come up with something so complex and ...?" Sorry Lee, Doug Dobey coined the term "Math Rock" when Pen was telling us about his new side project, Butterglove.
Chip