Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Peter Ellis - Weird, Sordid, & Deadly But True Tales of America (1609 - 1906)

3/23/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Peter Ellis

Weird, Sordid, & Deadly But True Tales of America (1609 - 1906)
self-released; 2015

3.3 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

I give an A for effort and originality to Peter Ellis for his work on his recent release Weird, Sordid, & Deadly But True Tales of America (1609 - 1906). The title is descriptive of what this album entails. Peter Ellis doesn't sing on this album. He tells stories over sparse instrumentation mostly in the form of his acoustic guitar (although there is a good amount of variation). His spoken word pieces aren’t catchy, don’t contain choruses and won’t be anything that people will get stuck in their head.

To get any enjoyment out of this album it is best you follow along with the stories. Some of the music itself is mildly enjoyable but it is largely repetitive and simply serves as background for his stories.

His first story/song is from 1609 entitled “Powdered Wife,” which is supported by his acoustic guitar and an occasional block of distortion. The story isn’t exactly easy to follow and I am still confused about a number of lines. The next song “Led To The Slaughter “ leaps ahead 276 years to 1885 in which Ellis implements sounds effects such as shotgun blasts and the sound of trains to immerse you into the story.

“The Velvet Swing” tells a heartwarming story of Henry Thaw blowing Stanford White’s head off with a gun. Good stuff. “Westinghoused” is about the battle between AC and DC power. He mentions Edison but I was surprised he didn’t mention his student Tesla. For those who are interested in delving into this wonderful debacle check out The History Channel’s “The Men Who Built America.”

As the stories progresses I noticed that they weren’t all just weird, sordid and deadly but dark and depressing. Plus lots of guns are mentioned. A happier tale would have been appreciated but no worries. “Pullman Company Town” talks about a dystopian community while “Panaceas For All Complications” is about  a medicinal concoction that ends up paralyzing some kid.

Weird, Sordid, & Deadly But True Tales of America (1609 - 1906)
is an album I don't need to revisit very often. That’s not meant to be a bad thing. The album is interesting and I thought that some of the storytelling was well done. It’s just not something I’m going to be listening to on my way to work everyday. That being said, I recommend you take a listen to this album even if it’s only once.
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact