Chappaquiddick Skyline

Chappaquiddick Skyline

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 18, 2000)
• Original Release Date: January 18, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sub Pop
• ASIN: B000040O9M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,441 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
If there were ever a candidate for Zoloft, it would be Joe Pernice. His gloomy funk has persisted through three Scud Mountain Boys albums, one Pernice Brothers CD, and now it pervades his newest project, Chappaquiddick Skyline. "I hate my life," he croons in his broken wisp of a voice, just to set the record straight in the opener "Everyone Else Is Evolving." In case you don't get the message that he's a glass-half-empty person, he furthers his world-weary view on "Theme to an Endless Bummer" and the New Order cover "Leave Me Alone." On "Up in Michigan" he sings, "I'm going to break you down / you look so tired in your clothes." Bummer indeed. So, unless your bookshelf is stocked with Sylvia Plath and the gas in your oven is turned on, why bother listening to Chappaquiddick Skyline? Because Pernice's blue mood is equaled by his ability to write stunningly beautiful songs. His breathy voice is lovely, his melodies uplifting, his sparse arrangements evocative and haunting. Depression has never sounded so inviting. --Tod Nelson

Product Description
New from Joe Pernice. Very nice!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Joe's big, bright blues, May 31, 2000

By	Jonathan Bower (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

I've gotten a lot of flack for not pulling this album out of my cd player for days at a time. Frankly though, I've developed a deaf ear towards all the folks dubbing Mr.Pernice's songs as simply "depressing" or a "hangover waiting to happen." I feel like the guy behind such crafted songwork is more intelligent than your everyday depressed simpleton. I even detect some tongue in cheek to his crooning "I hate my life" over and over again on the opening cut.Instead of letting the narrator in "Breakneck Speed" steer you to the bar think of a less hyper, very mellow early Elvis Costello and maybe you'll catch my drift. Yes, on his latest outpouring, Joe gives us some more wrist-slitting lyrics alongside lush, pure-pop arrangements. However, after falling head over heels for his fine approach to songwriting back when he was with the Scuds, this time around I'm choosing to give him some much deserved credit in the "wit department." Don't get me wrong. These are sad songs. And, translated, that's pop music in a nutshell. Just don't leave it all at face value. I have to chuckle a little at the overall picture. It's either that or write the guy a prescription for Paxil, or Prozac, or something...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just exquisite., March 9, 2000

By	Jack McGuire (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This guys writes beautiful songs just like fallin off a chair. Acoustically based with somewhat of a C'n W tinge to it. When he starts the whole shebang off telling us how he hates his life, the tone is set-regretful, bitter and lonely. And then the chorus comes in like sun in the eye of a hurricane. "Courage Up," one of the albums highlights has an almost Bacharach laced with Bread feel that's amazing. To really make this uncommunicative, this guys poppier stuff has a sound reminiscent of Wire, particularly on the Pernice Bros. album. Which makes it less odd that there's a New Order cover. Actually, considering the tone, a Joy Division cover might be more appropriate. "Breakneck Speed,""Up in Michigan,""Hundred Dollar Pocket," and "Kidney Shaped Pool," are just further evidence that Pernice is definately one of the finest songwriters around. In fact, the highest compliment I can give is that alot of Pernice's songs have a "Sister Goldenhair" vibe going-just the best.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical Imagery, April 21, 2000

By	"jaylaporte" (Fairhaven, MA) - See all my reviews

Musical imagery is the best descrption for this album. Joe Pernice has the unique ability, somewhat similar to Lou Reed, to tell a story that could stand apart from the music and still resonate. Joe's carefully chosen lyrics paint vivid picture and give each song its own distinct feel, regardless of the music backing it. That's not to say that the music isn't good, because it's great. Don't let the sparse production on this album fool you, it only serves to magnify the overall tone of the recording. Joe Pernice is one of the finest young song writers on the scene today. It's a shame that he's no longer with Sub-Pop. Here's hoping there's still some records companies out there concerned with content instead of looks and packaging. Get this album so you can say you "knew him when..."