From the Burnpile

Bonfire Madigan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 9, 1998)
• Original Release Date: June 9, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Kill Rock Stars
• ASIN: B000006OKB
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #259,656 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #80 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Riot Grrl

Track Listings

1. Anthemic Amendments

2. Smoke Signals from the Burnpile

3. Snowfell Summer

4. For Life Songt (Scars)

5. Backseat Buoy (Revisited)

6. Dishes and Spoons

7. Zamora, Ca

8. Promised

9. Junebug

10. Tinkling on a Tightrope

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars play another heartstring, May 7, 2002

By 

Alanna Stewart (memphis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From the Burnpile (Audio CD)

I have always thought that cello rock is an extremely interesting and bizarre genre of music. After discovering its existance with bands like Rasputina, I was hooked. Bonfire Madigan's first full-length album, From The Burnpile, not only has a cello, but has, unlike Rasputina, guitars, drums, organ, contrabass, and turntables. Bonfire Madigan has a indie rock kind of accessibility, also unlike Rasputina with their strange humor. Lead singer/songwriter/cellist Madigan Shive's voice is not only gorgeous, but distinct, expressive, and emotional, like the cello itself, in fact. Shive's voice, in songs like "Snowfell Summer," jump from sweet to fiery to delicate and papery. In "For Life Long" she is hyperactive, voice range jumping all over the scale. Just before the song's climactic finish, after Shive first coaxes us with her original spirt, building steadily out of a soft, barely-there bridge, she falls into an urgent whisper which almost immediately shifts into a cat-like shriek. This alternates back to an even softer whisper before the sound becomes huge and full with Madigan Shive's vibrant command - "Don't you go away from me!" Madigan Shive does write beautiful lyrics, which compliment her voice tremendously. Whether fierce ("I refuse to be a window display today") or sweet ("I'm trying to write you a love song because I know it's time you heard one") or amusing ("Junebug, get outta my cello") or just poetically and visually interesting ("We were burned by that brand new snow"), Shive's voice and lyrics are always tied beautifully with the music. This album proves that the cello is indeed appropriate and welcome for all moods. It weeps in "Promised" and dances in "Backseat Buoy" and laughs in "Junebug." Songs like "Anthemic Amendments" make appropriate use of the turntables and sampling. Even with only ten tracks, Bonfire Madigan's From The Burnpile proves not only to be amazing and beautiful, but defiantly eclectic. Anyone who appreciates the cello or an intriguing voice will enjoy this album. This amazing recording proves true "Tinikling On A Tightrope"'s repeated sampling that "change is good, necessay, and inevitable."

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars burned by the brand-new snow., October 26, 2000

By 

"tarot1234" - See all my reviews

This review is from: From the Burnpile (Audio CD)

possibly the most stunning piece of contemplative, universal art-folk since Drake's _Pink Moon_, Bonfire Madigan's Kill Rock Stars debut _...From The Burnpile_ paints a bitter, hopeful, and unusually danceable view of modern queer life. The sort of disc you'd want to hear in the vintage shop on the other side of town that you never get a chance to go to until finally you do and find the perfect $10 shirt. Highly reccomended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Impressed, September 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Burnpile (Audio CD)

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first unwrapped this CD. At the time, all I knew of Madigan's music were two songs from an earlier recording that a friend of mine included on a comp tape he had given me. Both of which I liked. So I decided I should check out "...from the Burnpile". After listening to it twice (back to back), I have to say that not only was I glad I bought it, but that I was and continue to be truly impressed. It's raw, dynamic and full of feeling. Sheri Ozeki's upright bass and the backbeats--provided by Tomas and Sunshine Haire--create a groove that immediately makes you tap your foot and bop your head up and down. I don't understand what the "music fan from Michigan (below)" means by her lyrics "don't make any sense." What's nonsensical about "Over my dead body / You'll touch me or her" (Anthemic Amendments) or, "Everything that's real seems to be illegal / Hunger, homelessness / Living high on your dreams" (Backseat Buoy)? I don't know who Jen Wood is, but I'm a music fan as well and I really really like this record.