Customer Reviews

Propeller

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
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When the band 'Dog's Eye View' scored a AAA radio smash a few years ago with 'Everything Falls Apart,' much of the credit belonged to the snappy songwriting hooks and unique vocal stylings of lead Peter Stuart. When Peter made the decision to step out on his own and explore the possibilities, 'Propeller' apparently came quite naturally to his artistic sensibilities. 'Propeller' is a spacious, highly personal, hard-to-resist effort by an artist who is giving his own "upbeat-angst" spin on the pitfalls of love. The arrangements kick-start almost every song with an uptempo delight that belies the fact that Peter is often singing about romantic annihilation. That's what makes his brand of rock-folk-pop so rewarding: no one else seems to take such outward, giddy pleasure in singing about the ... we all face in the harrowing world of relationships. The tracks flow along seamlessly in both mood and concept...Stuart never loses focus here. His ear for a smart melody is well-tuned, particularly on lead single 'With My Heart in Your Hands' (a jaunty-yet-plaintive rockin' plea for relief from a hard-to-understand lover). Stuart speaks of ideals both bright and dark, recovered and lost on the track 'Innocence,' another highlight of this strong first solo effort. All in all, the effect of the record takes Peter in a highly individual new direction, but one that should have a far longer shelf-life than 'Dog's Eye View,' because he's spinning his own songcraft here, and speaking his mind with freedom. This record will sink-in deep. By the way...it's one of the best "driving" CDs you'll hear in awhile. Put the windows down, pop 'Propeller' into the CD player, and tap those fingers against the wheel. You'll be glad you did.

i didn't even know of Peter until i had the pleasure of hearing him live. i was at a mason jennings/jason mraz concert and Peter Stuart was the opening guy. which is a pity because i liked him a LOT more than jason mraz and mason jennings and it would've been awesome to hear a full set. while peter has that typical single-guy pop sometimes-out-of-tune voice, it's still great and i adore his lyrics. my best friend is obsessed with Dog's Eye View and from what i've heard, i think i like DEV better than Peter solo, but they are somewhat different sounds. i love this guy and i bought his CD right away at the concert i was at. DEFINITELY worth a listen!!!

Peter Stuart's freshman set sizzles on "Propeller." As the veteran of 2 CDs with Dog's Eye View, Stuart had experience that was augmented when he went solo opening for Live, Counting Crows & Paula Cole. His songs have also been recorded by Bon Jovi & Go-Go's. "Take Me Back" is a peppy driving midtempo rocker that sounds like a radio song. "Propeller Girl" has an unusual lyric about the girl that spins him around. Stuart's vocals are expressive and aching on the ballad "Innocence," "There's a preacher on the corner, I just walk away, he's throwing grace all around the place, am I too far gone to say I think I had good intentions." "Vertigo" mixed by Tom Lord Alge is a sweet midtempo track with crisp drums, "I will let you take me into thin air, take this fear called love, tell me that you're here & there & there's nothing to be scared of." The ballad "Let's Get Lost" is a great vocal performance with Mark Isham's trumpet giving the track a distinctive flavor. "Songs About You" written with Peter Case is a happy lighthearted track with a silly little chorus that puts a smile on your face. "The Real You" gets a good thumping groove going with an insistent bass line. The CD concludes with a string-laden weeper where Stuart's vocals resemble the trembling emotion of Glen Phillips from Toad the Wet Sprocket. "Propeller" is an extremely strong set with consistently strong material. This is one you don't want to let slip away. Enjoy!

all i have to say is that this cd is amazing!!! awesome rock ting to it!!!! i first heard peter stuart in the movie, "all over the guy." it had the songs "real you" and "bring you back," which i completley fell in love with...rite after the movie, i went and looked up his album and bought it!!!! i have no regrets whatsoever...oh, and yes, it is an awesome driving cd!!!!!

Propeller is the kind of record you'll pull out of your CD collection ten years from now and say, "Yeah, this is a great disk. I still love it." Great songs, hooks, lyrics, vocals etc. Just an all around enjoyable album in the singer songwriter vein.

I love this artist. He's been around for years and I have his all of his known cd's. He is a friend with the vocalist from The Counting Crows. He is very orginal and I love his style of writing and his music. I find it down to earth, refreshing, and just uplifting. I have never heard a song by him that I did not like and did not sit up and take notice. Even on movie soundtracks, from all over the guy, I immediately heard his songs played and knew who the songs were by. He is very original and not that widely known, but he should be.

OMG I MET this guy!! He was touring on a side stage at a Matchbox 20 concert, singing songs he wrote, and I swear he had a bigger crowd than Matchbox 20 did, lol. I remember thinking, "I've gotta keep this guy in mind..." and I looked him up about a year ago, and there wasn't anything on him, and then I found this, and saw the music video for With My Heart in My Hands, and it's the same guy!! (I even think he's wearing the same shirt... lol...)

Original songs, nice smooth voice... overall good cd :)

YAAAAY FOR PETER! Good for him.

I heard one of his songs in the movie "All Over The Guy" and I just had to buy the CD. I haven't really heard the other songs yet...

I was originally "introduced" to Peter Stuart for two of the songs, "Real You" and "Bring You Back," the former being the title song and the latter during two pivotal emotional scenes, utilized in the movie "All Over The Guy." I wasn't sure how well I would relate Mr. Stuart based on just two songs, but my hopes came true. I like Mr. Stuart's meandering singing style. He stumbles over some words from time to time, which adds to the tapestry of his unique singing style. He creates a wholly different dimension to the emotions he expresses in his songs that vibrantly come through to his listeners like very few other artists.

These eleven songs flow together very evenly as a great ensemble. "Innocence," (which has a religious overtone), "My Heart In Your Hands," and the opening song, "Take Me Back," which just jumps this CD "out of the gate" with a burst of energy, are some my other favorites. This collection of songs sends me on a see-saw of pensive, calming, anxious, and content emotions. As many times as I have listened to this disk since I bought, I have yet to have grown tired of it. If you are one of many people who express frustration with the songs and talent of many contemporary artists, I recommend you give "Propeller" a try. I believe you will find Peter Stuart and these selection of songs to be fresh and satisying.

Don't get me wrong there is some good songs on here, Innonence,With my heart in your hands,vertigo,and propeller girl is alright but I still like dog's eye view - Happy Nowhere better.This should not be missed