Customer Reviews

Snow

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Curt Kirkwood has always given us a unique vernacular in his brand of songwriting, since the early '80's country-punk of the Meat Puppets (something that Kurt Cobain recognized & promoted). If you enjoyed the acoustic side of the Pups in "Coming Down" or "Shine" (from the Too High To Die LP) then you'll like this. Snow is a very gentle, poetic, even sweet, country-acoustic mix. Some of the songs have a very light touch, while "Box of Limes" stands out as a more aggressive toe-tapper. All the songs seem to have their own internal momentum that gathers force and releases energy, however subdued. And there's always little surprises in the lyrics. My only criticism is that Curt's voice sometimes sounds flat or off-key, but if you look past that you'll enjoy every song on the album as I do.

I love this album. Curt's rootsy sound produced by Pete Anderson has got all the right sounds at all the right times. The Americana Roots sound fits this Meat Puppet nicely. The man who once inspired the likes of Kurt Cobain will now inspire young musicians to pick up an acoustic guitar and play roots music. This is where music is going and Kirkwood, as usual, is ahead of the curve. Thanks Curt and Pete...keep the good tunes coming. NOT A SINGLE TRACK I WANTED TO HIT SKIP ON!

the album is amazing, and I was not disapointed when I bought it, but a few months ago when I found out about thisalbum, on his website he had two song that were supposedly to be released on the album, most noticeably a track called Enemy Love Song, which did not appear on this album. I was confused as to why this track was not included. Besides that, the album was a work of amazing art.

From the Meat Puppets, to Eyes Adrift, to Volcano, Curt's always written great music. The same holds true for "Snow". Produced by Pete Anderson, there's a bluegrass/country feel on most of the songs. Those looking for the loud guitars Curt's sometimes known for won't find it here. This is a gentler, more relaxed album, raw and beautiful at the same time. "Beautiful Weapon", "Light Bulb", and "In Bone" really stand out to me, but in a few more listens, as in any Curt Kirkwood related project, every song eventually jumps to the front at one time or another. Fans of the Puppets' mellower songs will love this cd. Hope Curt continues to put out music for years to come, whether solo or in a band.

MIRAGE realy showed us where the heart and soul was. this new record continues the focus on the elements: rain, wind, fire,water, all elemental organic magic movers in kurt's world of wonderful stuff. !!! a beautiful and hearty, earthy and magical mixture! it just FEELS really good, and the musicianship is coming from that special place that gave us Buffalo Springfield's first album and Gene Clark's best moments. a true jem of poetry and spirit. every track is special. they GROW on you!!! one day you have a favorite song that haunts you . then it's replaced by another. the songs play over and over in your head , and you know the magic is real. this is folk-country roots performed with ease of accoustic and gentle electronics, with mandolin, peddle steel, soft drums, other sounds from instruments unworldly ,and wonderful guitar and beautiful harmony vocals. i tried to edit my original 4 star review to a 5 star, but , anyway , it's a 5 star. the 4 star was because i wanted MORE peddle-steel. now, i realise that this cd is so good, that it doesn't matter.

This is a hard review to write. Not because I don't know what to think about the album. I do: it's amazing. Rather, there's the question of who the review is for. Presumably long-term Puppets fans knew they were going to buy this record before they'd heard a note of it. I'm in that camp. But most likely, the vast majority of folks who've never heard the band (or only know Backwater from the heady days of "grunge rock") won't even know it's been released. So rah rah my brothers and sisters. You're spending your money wisely.

Opinions are like twigs in the fur of a dancing chimp. Just remember that.

However abrasive his presentation Pearl Jam's 'Lion' does have a point, all the tunes on this album are pretty homogenous. Despite Kirkwood's status as a guitar hero, largely deserved in my not so humble opinion, I think it should be acknowledged that his truest talent is in writing poety of the surrealistic variety. On that level he succeeds admirably with this alubm and as such it is worth a shekel or so. In addition, the album cover features llamas which those in the know understand are the coolest species to inhabit the earth.

Some of the catchiest melodies and harmonies ever from Curt. Lots of cool instrumentation. Pete Anderson did a great job with the production. This hasn't left my CD player since I got it 4 days ago.

I am a long time Meat Puppets fan, so the most noticable thing about this album is that it is *not* the Meat Puppets, but it is Curt Kirkwood. SNOW is much like the sparsity of the Arizona desert - the observant find the beauty when others find it dull.

Kirkwood's guitar playing continues to be inovative and progressive - at times absolutely beautiful ("Gold", "Box of Limes") with 2 georgeous guitar solos on "In Bone". His vocals and layered harmonies are much more natural than on Meat Puppet albums and producer Pete Anderson keeps those vocals predominant in the mix. This allows the listener to hear and understand the lyrics delivered by CK's lovely voice. Kirkwood's lyrics remain true to his brilliant but obscure use of imagery. There are even some horns in the mix - trumpet. That was a surprise! What I thought was a cello must be a bow used on an upright bass, as I do not see a cellist listed in the credits.

Some Meat Puppet fans have found this album boring, but if you take it for what it is - a predominantly accoustic album with lyrics that seem to be heartfelt and honest - it just may quickly become one of your favorite albums. It is now a favorite of mine.

Curt is absolutely AMAZING! Not a better songwriter in existence! Put together perfectly. Can't wait to hear the New Meat Puppets cd!