Customer Reviews

Faces & Names

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Die-hard fans of Soul Asylum may find this solo disc from frontman Dave Pirner a little tough to digest, at least at first. With the exception of the title track very few of the 11 tracks on "Face and Names" would fit on a Soul Asylum record. Anyone expecting the fury of "Somebody To Shove" or even the acoustic touches of "Runaway Train" will have to keep looking. Instead, Pirner and friends create a soulful, cleanly produced set of tracks that, for the most part, work very well. What makes it special is that, while Pirner has changed the sonic nature of his work, his insighful, personal lyrics remain. When he sings that he will "Never Recover", you believe him. Highlights include "Someday Love", "Teach Me To Breath", and "Start Treating People Right". Last but not least there is the title track which, honestly, is among the best songs I've heard this year. Similar to Soul Asylum's "String Of Pearls", the song "Faces and Names" is about as close to perfect as you can imagine and worth the price of the disc in and of itself. I still long for new Soul Asylum music but, if Pirner chooses to do stuff like this in their off-time or even for the rest of his career, I'll be the first in line to check it out.

As a Soul Asylum diehard, the 1st listen to this album was some kind of a shock, since the 2 extracts "Faces and Names" and "Never Recover" don't show Dave Pirner's "new sound". RnB Songs like "364" or "Feel The Need" have NOTHING in common with the band, be it Say What You Will or Grave Dancers Union era. But after 2-3 listenings you see the same attitude, same honesty, same talent as every Soul Asylum release. Pirner is now skillful enough to cross genres and still "lookin' good". And, after all this is another Dave Pirner album, the new influences don't make him sound like Blues Brothers!

I always liked Soul Asylum, but the only reason I got this is because I found it for a few bucks. What a score. True, there's nothing on this disc that actually rocks, but I really like this new sound, and think Dave sounds as good as ever. I liken "Faces And Names" to the first solo albums from Chris Robinson and Chris Cornell, not as great as their former bands, but still very good, and a must for the real fans. "Teach Me To Breathe" must have been the single from this, but I also like "Feel The Need", "Someday Love", and honestly the whole thing is good. Sorry to see this is currently out of print, and no other news from Dave. If you find it, grab it.

It is more than obvious Mr. Pirner has spent time walking the streets of New Orleans. His heartbroken, sometimes off-key voice is at the front like never before. If Soul Asylum is your band, this CD will fit in well with your collection. Nice solo debut from a man who knows to nod and wink at his surroundings. Nice jazz and soul takes throughout this offering. Well thought out lyrics. The cream has risen to the top.

A departure from his work with Soul Asylum, Faces and Names is still a solid effort from Dave Pirner. He's taken his ability to tell stories and put a jazzy feel to these songs. His lyrical ability is at the forefront of this album, and anyone who enjoys excellent lyrics set to catchy music should purchase this album; you won't be disappointed. The man is an undiscovered gem. Songs to pay specific attention to: Teach Me to Breath, Never Recover, Faces and Names, and I'll Have My Day.

Soul Asylum was my favorite band for many years. Their output up through Hangtime holds up favorably compared with the best output from Minneapolis darlings The Replacements and Husker Du - bands that I also love. SA was never given their proper due by the media, and never were among the "cool kids" of the scene, it seems. It certainly didn't help that their rise to national prominence beyond the indie scene came with a sappy, weak song ( I can't stand "Runaway Train"). Well, maybe that's unfair, but Runaway Train IS NOT what I want from Soul Asylum. They are capable of much better.

But, anyway, a friend turned me on to this album and I wasn't expecting much, even though I'm a big fan of a lot of Pirner's other work. Well, as others have said, this album is surprisingly good and, at times, great. THis isn't full-energy rock or powerpop, much of it has more of a soul or R&B vibe - but not in a bad way. And by that I don't mean that Pirner is trying to be Wilson Pickett, just that the grooves are more relaxed and groovy, and he makes it work.

A very strong first solo album, and hopefully Dave will see fit to put out another one at some point.

David Pirner's solo effort, Faces & Names, is a record I'm fairly certain I would have disliked many years ago as a hardcore Soul Asylum fan. Erroroneously, I'd have failed to appreciate the juxtaposition of Pirner's honest, midwest vocals bouncing off a Hammond Organ, funky trumpet and beats. It all works.

Faces and Names places Pirner on a road recently travelled by Afghan Wigs "Rock King" Greg Duli leading to the Twilight Singers. Pirner's record exits somewhere musically closer to New Orleans. And it's a damn fine ride.

Let's just hope Dave doesn't make us wait another ten years for something this worthy. Amen.

Great record. Dave get's the soul out of the asylum and puts it on his new record. You'll hate it if you want a return to 1984. You'll hate it if you didn't understand "Grave Dancer's Union" or the brilliant "Let Your Dim Light Shine." You'll love it if you've been a fan of Dave's lyric twists midwestern funky rhythm. You'll love it if you think back to the days when you were trying to explain Soul Asylum to your friends in California. Remember, he's from a band that was mixing Motown medleys into "Made to be Broken" mayhem back in '88. Props out to the new 'Good Natured Sidekick" Dan Murphy, Mr. Pat Sansone! 'I'll Have My Day', 'Tea', 'Levitation' all very cool songs. 'Start treating people right' That is the sprit.

Wow. Its been four years since Soul Asylum has had a release with new material (CANDY FROM A STRANGER '98), and I thought that they were history. Later I heard that Dave Pirner had a solo album coming out and its finally here. I picked it up the day it came out, gave it a spin, and thought "Hey, this is pretty good but he'll never top Soul Asylum, I give it 4 stars." But I started listening to it more and the song "Faces and Names" is worth the price of admission alone. Its been a long time since I've connected with a song so strongly, but then like that book CATCHER IN THE RYE I'm probably not the only one that feels that way (by the way I found that book out first).
"Much too Easy" is a song that shows the SA spirit is still alive and getting better.
Look for the line on "Teach Me to Breathe" that's a throwback to a Replacements song. Just as well, Pirner was apart of that movement in Minneapolis.
The rest of the songs all have an R&B vibe that is something new, but just listen to the CD.
By the way, Soul Asylum is recording some new material.

this is horrible. i think dave pirner last wrote something good in 1981. time to move on folks. you dont listen to dennis de young any longer do you?