Pidgin English: Pidgin English

Pidgin English, for their debut album asks us to: "Imagine for a moment that XTC became the backing band for David Bowie. No, wait -- let's say that members of Yes and Genesis decided to get together and re-learn the entire Dave Matthews Band catalog. Or, better yet, what if Robert Fripp had been kidnapped by Jason Falkner and Joe Jackson, who then decided to lead King Crimson on a pop-rock crusade?" (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pidginenglish, 2013).

That is a great description of what Christopher Sharron, vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, and drum programming; Aaron Pastula, vocals, basses, acoustic guitars, and keyboards; Will Diamond, on drums; and Mike Freitas, drums on "Sky Below", kick drums on "newf" have created with this debut album.

Interesting sounds and dimensions of rock, that will, with the initial track, "newf", have you hearing Bowie at times from Sharron. "Newf" is one of the best tracks on the album, not only for the echoing opening vocals but also the original sounding electric guitars, slick heavy bass and pulsating drums.

"Mint Soap" is another great track full of original inspirations and heavy guitar, power packed bass and smashing drums. This one slams right through the speaker as "newf" is beginning to fade. The curly bass chords will capture you immediately, but hang in there the song gets even better with Sharron's vocals and Diamond's drums. That guitar slicing sound that occurs and those smooth heavy bass chords will help you separate this band from the many striving to be heard.

Being from Cleveland, "Headwinn" was a natural favorite. This California band sings about the joys of visiting the farmlands of Ohio as if they were natives. "Where the land wears away, back in the land where your hands still remember the earth and stay free from this", sings Sharon. A fun story within a song, even if the story does not contain a happy ending. The rhythm and melody capture that feeling of summer running or driving through the fields of corn in the farmlands of Ohio that I remember well.

"Will We Ever Make It So Far?" is a vocal driven track that gives Sharron a broad chance to shine.

"Shipwreck" has some great keyboards and some very intricate acoustic guitar playing which set it apart from the other tracks on the album. Another of the best songs on the album.

"Sky Below" is the album's longest track full of inspired vocals from Sharron, with an interesting storyline, and some original lead electric and acoustic guitar soloing and drum work.

I am very comfortable recommending this debut album from Pidgin English with no reservations. A nice change from the usual music you hear on the radio.

Track Listing:

1. newf
2. Mint Soap
3. Headwinn
4. Will We Ever Make It So Far?
5. Shipwreck
6. Auspicious
7. Sky Below
8. Live on the Moon

Added: July 18th 2013
Reviewer: Mark Johnson
Score:
Related Link: www.facebook.com/PidginEnglishMusic
Hits: 2143
Language: english

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