Wooden Smoke

Mike Keneally | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 15, 2002)
• Original Release Date: January 15, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Exowax
• ASIN: B00005Q3RJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,057 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Mike Keneally's tenth album contains some of the pop innovator’s most elegantly adventurous music, set in a largely acoustic soundscape. A multi-instrumentalist with an unmatched pop cunning and an unrelenting gift for ear-twisting harmony, Keneally first rose to prominence as Frank Zappa's "stunt guitarist." His previous album, the critically acclaimed "Dancing," debuted on three Billboard charts in 2000. "Wooden Smoke" combines Keneally's own multi-tracked virtuoso performances with several of his catchiest tunes.

"At the end of last year," reports Keneally, " I started playing a whole lot of acoustic guitar, sitting on the floor in the living room. The sound of the instrument and the physical sensation of playing it formed the bedrock of "Wooden Smoke;" it's not your typical acoustic album, though there is a lot of interesting sound happening, generated in some fairly unorthodox ways,"

In a characteristic departure from his previous releases, Mike has crafted a work that's courageous, yet soothing and evocative. A number of songs on "Wooden Smoke" feature dramatic and highly precise vocal arrangements, but the remaining material showcases Keneally on a variety of surprisingly unusual instruments, particularly for a record which sounds as familiar and fittingly accessible even as it challenges the listener.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite Keneally disc. Buy it, you'll love it., February 20, 2002

By 

Christopher Ingalls (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wooden Smoke (Audio CD)

Mike Keneally's music is hard to pin down. As a multi-instrumentalist with Frank Zappa's 1988 touring band, he definitely has an eclectic sound that leans toward 70s prog rock, but there's much more to it than that. An admitted fan of artists ranging from Yes to Bjork to XTC to Radiohead, Keneally's music covers a huge amount of sonic territory. Not surprisingly, this makes for a discography in which nearly every release is different. Mike can be drastically experimental ("Nonkertompf") or unusually accessible ("Dancing").

"Wooden Smoke" definitely has its experimental side, but also a warmth that is curiously inviting. Largely acoustic, the disc draws you in with intimacy. But don't be fooled...there are some startlingly complex musical passages, in tracks like "Dee'n'A." There's a quasi-Radiohead incoherence to "Nanny-Ass Crow." The gorgeous "2001" sounds like Steely Dan meets Joe Jackson meets Todd Rundgren. Keneally played most of the instruments himself, juggling acoustic guitar, keyboards, bass, kalimba, mulilayered vocals and more to make a unique sound.

This is not your typical Keneally album...or is it? Keneally's calling card is his ever-changing style. So if that's the case, this is quite a typical release after all. It's soothing and jarring at the same time. It's folky, but a little noisy too. It has large chunks of instrumental splendor, but the lyrics (sparse as they are) are both revealing and a little mystical.

Confused yet? Intrigued? Buy this disc. I guarantee you there's nothing else quite like it in your collection.

One more thing...if you love music and love to hear it played well, SEE THIS MAN LIVE. Without major label support, his tours aren't too extensive, but those who are lucky enough to witness Keneally on stage are always satisfied. The music sounds great, and you can tell just by looking at him that he's having a blast performing it. Mike's also unusually accessible to his fans and loves to talk to them before or after a show. In a world of lip-syncing and choreography over musical ability, Mike is a breath of fresh air.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like a comfortable pair of pants, September 28, 2002

By 

North Idaho Dad "chalkhorse" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Wooden Smoke (Audio CD)

The music on this CD just seems to fit whatever it is you might be doing while listening. It's warm and inviting, clever and melodic. This is my first Keneally disc, and I am definitely hooked. As I approach the age of 40, I look for music that challenges my mind but not my eardrums. Wooden Smoke fits the bill perfectly.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stay away from neo prog bull and listen to the real stuff, February 3, 2003

By 

miguel hiraldo (miami, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wooden Smoke (Audio CD)

this really surprised me because even though Dancing is quite good i felt that Keneally was starting to get into more comercial kinda stuff, which is sad because he is such a gifted and original writter...but thank god i was wrong...It is harder and harder to find creative music these days where Ricky Martin and Eminem are supposed to be the must creative exponent in music...So, if you are craving for good imaginative compositions and excellent playing from talented musicians, this comes highly recommended! It even has bits that sound like Albert Marcoeur! and That is saying a lot!