Search - Chris Connelly :: Private Education

Scorpio does it again!

wankel13b | Amherst, NY USA | 10/25/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is beautiful, but sad; so deeply melancholic. Even the upbeat songs, Lipstick in Labyrinth Park, and The Last Hitman in Heaven, seem tinged with the "black bile". Which is not a bad thing!!!
It is more hopeful in spirit than Phenobarb, not (quite) as dark or brooding. It is sonically economic (just Chris, an electric/acoustic guitar, few backing vocals, and his trusty ol' drum machine), as compared to Shipwreck, which was so big and heavily layered. It is a more um, mature? recording than Whiplash Boychild.
To the things that kept it from getting the full five stars: the afore mentioned drum machine: use of the device didn't bother me, but the insectile chirping and buzzing was at times intrusive, I felt. Some of the distortion he had on the guitar, and to a lesser extent, his voice; the phazing and warbling detracted from the crispness and purity that I felt would have lent itself better to the music. Chris has a beautiful voice, it doesn't need augmentation. Maybe I am missing the point, and he is maintaining his Industrial ethos, however subtly. One last thing, and, if you're still reading this, it's blatantly hypocritical, heh, is that Chris is cramming too many lyrics into each song. He is a spectacular writer, and, even though I hate the word, a great poet. there's nothing self-conscious or pretentious in his words. There's just too many of them... The phrase "economy of words" comes to mind. It's like he has so much to say, but maybe feels there's not enough time left to say it. Maybe this comes from the passing of one of his best friends, William Tucker (RIP).
Well, I hope you found this review to be helpful, not too wordy (suuuuuure). This really is something you should pick up, another great hit from Chris.
If you like this album, you should pick up Largo, with Chris and Bill Rieflin. It is PHENOMINAL. It is more classical sounding, and more natural, without all the "special effects".
Thanks for reading, and enjoy!"