lambchops's Full Review: Pacifier [PA] by Pacifier
Pacifier has been around for eighteen years, but it is only recently that the New Zealand band finally broke through to America. Christened Exit in 1985, the metal/rock outfit became Shihad by 1988.
The four-man band released their first EP in 1991. Devolve was a relatively instantaneous hit, and allowed Shihad to return to the studio and polish off their 1993 debut LP Churn. Throughout the 1990’s, the band released a number of albums and EP’s, none of which ever broke through the walls that surround the American music scene.
But in September 2001 the band set out to take Los Angeles by storm. Changing their name from Shihad (they deemed it too similar to the word “jihad”) the band became the more palatable Pacifier. Phil Knight (guitar), Johnny Toogood (vocals, guitar), Karl Kippenberger (bass), and Tom Larkin (drums) then were fortunate enough to meet with producer Josh Abraham, the man in part responsible for albums from bands like Limp Bizkit, Korn, Staind, and many others. Abraham was impressed by the Kiwis and soon agreed to work on the band’s stockpile of songs. Pacifier was soon signed to a major label deal…the rest is pretty much history.
Pacifier has finally made a minor splash stateside, but with that said they have a ways to go before they become famous. But if their 2002 self-titled crossover album is any indication of future successes then the sky really is the limit. Not to say the album is perfect, but if nothing else it is a good old fashioned rock outing. Pacifier manages to put together an impressive hard rock album, something that all too few bands seem capable of today. Adding to the grinding, at times memorable, tracks is mix master Ryan Williams. Williams has worked in the past with acts like Stone Temple Pilots, an association that nicely explains Scott Weiland’s backing vocals and co-writing credits on the final track Coming Down.
Kicking off with leadoff single Bullitproof, Pacifier makes an immediate and lasting impression. First struck with the enthusiastic, melodic, yet unrelenting rock style of the song, it continues nicely. MTV2 picked up on the song with good reason; it is video- and radio-friendly. Nothing about Bullitproof doesn’t strike as brilliant, but it is entertaining. And entertainment value is something that has been severely lacking from much of the music scene today. Pacifier rocks, what more needs to be said?
Semi-Normal is a fair follow-up. Toogood’s vocals are impressive, but the most notable aspects of the track are the unrelenting guitars. Pacifier’s sound is something that is wonderfully refreshing, yet absolutely reminiscent to the rock scene immediately prior to the breaking of grunge. Comfort Me is also a fairly decent track. Toogood yelps beneath layers of guitars and the occasional industrial element with feverish passion. The song works well.
Pacifier puts down the thick electric guitars and instead picks up their acoustic instruments on the heartfelt Walls. While not a rock n’ roll track song by definition, it is however an immediately appealing track that could easily be played on top 40 stations just as rock stations. It is easy to enjoy the song, but somehow the band seems more at home with heavier songs. Other tracks like Everything and Home offer similar levels of radio-friendly appeal.
Stranger returns to the rock equation, but this time the band comes off as more emotional. Because of this characteristic, the song resonates much more nicely. I greatly appreciate that Pacifier knows what they are doing. They are conscious of the fact that above all other things they are rock and roll. But where their real talent lies is in the varied tempos and melodies. Every song on this disc is just different enough to keep listeners wanting more. Run isn’t the best song here, yet it does occupy the space nicely without sounding like mere filler. The most problematic thing about the track is that is just doesn’t seem to go anywhere in particular.
Pounding guitars and Toogood’s boyish yet angered vocals mark the start of Nothing. As far as songs here go, Nothing is probably one of the best. Pacifier’s energy and apparent zest for life ooze from every guitar lick, strike of the drums, and word. To add to the overall appeal of the track, it also features a number of pace changes along with the occasionally light, melodic chorus. Just as Bullitproof has become a decently popular single, I see the same fate for Nothing.
Earlier in their career, Pacifier experimented in industrial soundscapes. They return to that form with the thunderous, thick, and crazed My Mind Sedate. On some levels the song is enjoyable, but its brevity (less than three minutes) exhibits the fact that the band was pretty much unable to do much with it. And that is too bad because, My Mind Sedate could have been better. Fortunately, Just a Shadow is better. Toogood enunciates with a punk sneer while the semi-muffled guitars and drums nicely facet the track. A unique element of Pacifier is that the other three members also act as backing vocalists. On tracks like Just a Shadow, they chant, yelp, or yowl lines just behind Toogood.
Wrapping the album up, Coming Down has a lot of great aspects. Once again returning to the melodic, light, semi-acoustic rock equation Pacifier this time shines brilliantly. While Coming Down isn’t the most representative work of the New Zealanders, it is undoubtedly the most wonderful. Toogood’s silky, young voice is perfectly suited to the rather upbeat feel of the track. And then of course Weiland’s distinctive chords also help to lead the song to perfection.
Overall, Pacifier is a better-than-average album. In the world of rock music today however, it is a refreshing and absolutely worthy purchase. It probably won’t appeal quite as much to the younger crowd weaned on nü rock/metal, but to people who remember the early 1990’s and before Pacifier should certainly please. Definitely recommended.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. Bullitproof
02. Semi-Normal
03. Comfort Me
04. Walls
05. Stranger
06. Everything
07. Run
08. Nothing
09. Home
10. My Mind’s Sedate
11. Just a Shadow
12. Coming Down
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