CD reviews: Pacification
07 December 2003
By GRANT SMITHIES
Overwrought and flabby, weighed down by self-pitying lyrics and pompous choruses, pumped full of expensive studio steroids in order to impress US rock radio programmers, Pacifier's self-titled 2002 album was its weakest since the band emerged from Wellington 13 years ago, and especially disappointing after 1999's sensational The General Electric.
No matter. Recorded during their recent New Zealand tour, the Pacifier Live two-CD set is a lean, loud and monstrous punk-metal energy rush, a white-knuckle downhill race with buggered brakes and the car stereo wound up to 11. Even songs from the last album sound superb given a rougher mix and exultant home crowds, and old favourites from Churn, Shihad, Killjoy and The General Electric combust like a bonfire in a fireworks factory. Apply your ears to the coronary-inducing version of "My Mind's Sedate" and you'll agree that live, on a good day, this band annihilates all competition.
Yeah thats one big BAAAD review - so harsh. If I was in the band - I'd be crying.
Signing with a major is like being raped
Signing with an indie is like being date raped.
Both indie's and majors enjoy and manipulate the fact that musicians (On the whole) do not care and have no interest in contracts and the tedious jargon which surrounds a recording deal.
This is how bands keep getting fucked - And yes it is their fault and responsiblty but it is not 'Fair'.
That is not to say there aren't people in both indie's and majors who care about music and want to do right by the artists but they are the exception rather than the rule.