Customer Reviews

Lackluster

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

 

 

Aaron Spinkle's music is great Acoustic Folk/Rock that would be best appreciated by the alt-country, slowcore camp (Pete Yorn, Red House Painters, Pernice Brothers, ect...) This cd is a collection of previously released matieral along with one new song. A few of the tracks were remixed and the 2nd track even features re-recorded vocals. Truely, there is not a bad song on this record, but my personal favorites include: Sweeter Than Me, Solace, A friend I Had, and Pillbox. The latter is the only "new" song on the cd, and the only reason I bought the cd, since I own all of his other albums. I think it was worth it, Pillbox is an amazing song blending some elements of 80's pop with a more modern acoustic sound. This is a great place to start for new listeners, covers most of the highlights from his previous records, which are now pretty tough to find from what I understand.

To be fair, the above reviewer should have mentioned that this CD contains music from 3 different previous OOP Aaron Sprinkle CDs and a new song. His best work, though, is found in his work with Poor Old Lu. Star Studded Super Step, Mindsize, Sin, Straight Six, A Picture of the Eighth Wonder, and The Waiting Room.

It should also be noted that he's a highly regarded producer/engineer for some terrific bands:
Starflyer 59
Demon Hunter
Kutless
Joy Electric
Damien Jurado
Pedro the Lion
MxPx
Squad 5-O

For most people, Aaron Sprinkle is best known as a producer. Not just a producer, but the producer who worked with bands such as MxPx, Acceptance, Hawk Nelson, Eisley, Pedro The Lion, and Thousand Foot Krutch--just to name a few. Most people are not aware that he is also a very talanted musician and songwriter. His solo disc is not what one would expect from the producer of MxPx. It is indie rock at it's best, stipped down and raw. Songs like "Let Me In" and "Really Something" showcase a full band though all instruments are done by Mr. Sprinkle, whereas songs like "The Boy Who Stopped The World" and "A Friend I Had" are acoustic, though not in the same group as Chris Carrabba. Probably one of the best songs on the album is "Sweeter Than Me." It is a wholey acoustic song mostly, until the bridge when the drums kick in. There are a few songs that are dull such as "The Kindest Days," which seems to drone on. However, taking the CD as a whole, I believe is deserves five stars. It features music that demands respect and lyrics that would bring the coldest heart to tears.

if you don't own any aaron sprinkle albums, this is a great first one to buy - and it likely won't be the last one you buy, either.
aaron's solo work blows his previous bands out of the water. here we have a delcious mix of clever, honest songwriting, catchy hooks and solid vocals. its an uncommon blend these days, and a truly exellent one. the honesty of the songs will be what hooks you on aaron sprinkle's work - you're going to find something here that seems like your life, a song that expresses something you didn't have a way to say. this is one of the things great music does for us, and this album delivers it in spades. there's something for your joy, something for your heartbreak and anger, something for your amusement and edification, something to sing along or shout along or dance along with.

just buy it, already. and if your in the seattle area, try to catch him live as well - its well worth it.

With a new label, I think the music got even better than it was before. Lackluster is a collection of songs from his first three albums, which are hard to find. So if you want to hear his best music, definitely buy Lackluster.

You know 3 stars may be a bit harsh because there are glimpses of absolute genius spread out across this CD. "Sweeter than me" is one of the coolest songs I've heard in a long, long time....and is easily worth the price of the CD alone. "Colorblind" is another piece of brilliance....it reminds me a bit of Lindsay Buckingham. "Not All Bad" is also wonderful. Aaron strikes me as one of those kinds of guys that could break out at any moment and be an American pop superstar. He makes writing catchy pop tunes seem almost effortless.

But having said this, there are several songs on here that are melodically forgetable....which is unfortunate because Aaron has a really cool musical sound and has a great knack for writing interesting lyrics.

One last thing....the lack of lyrics in the cd booklet is a little disappointing. All in all this CD is definately worth a listen.