Pacifier (Nothingface album)
| Pacifier | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 6, 1997[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1996 (OZ Recording Studio/Emporium Recording Studio) Mixed from July 9th–17th 1996[2] | |||
| Genre | Nu metal | |||
| Length | 42:21[1] | |||
| Label | DCide | |||
| Producer | Nothingface & Frank Marchand | |||
| Nothingface chronology | ||||
| ||||
Pacifier is the debut album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was released by DCide on February 6, 1997, and was reissued on August 11, 1998.
Background
Many of the tracks on Pacifier were re-recorded from the band's 1995 independent release Nothingface.[3] The tracks "Defaced", "Self Punishment", "Hitch", "Useless", "Perfect Person", and "Communion" were all re-recorded from Nothingface with slight lyrical changes.
To help promote the album, music videos were made for the tracks "Pacifier" and "Defaced". In "Pacifier", singer Matt Holt is seen wearing a bright golden jacket, which he claimed the record label forced him to wear, in order to give the video a "happier" feel.[4]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
Allmusic gave the album three stars out of five and said that although "Pacifier has garnered unfair comparisons to Korn", the band "show a bright flair that could very well lead them to stardom."[1] Mark Jenkins from The Washington Post criticized Holt's harsh vocals and a lack of variety on the album, although he acknowledged the technical skill and musicianship of the band.[5]
Musical style and lyrics
Elements of alternative metal,[1] post-punk,[5] and death metal[5] are incorporated throughout the album. Matt Holt's harsh and growling vocals are different from Nothingface releases that come after the album Pacifier. The album's songs feature a musical formula that has been described as being similar to the band Korn.[1]
Lyrical themes explored include self-loathing,[5] inner turmoil,[1] self-esteem issues,[1] animosity, and feeling suicidal. The track "Defaced" is about child molestation and abuse.[1]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Matt Holt; all music is composed by Nothingface
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "One Thing" | 4:29 |
| 2. | "Pacifier" | 3:59 |
| 3. | "Lipsdick" | 3:18 |
| 4. | "Undercut" | 4:17 |
| 5. | "Defaced" | 2:50 |
| 6. | "Self Punishment" | 4:12 |
| 7. | "Hitch" | 5:38 |
| 8. | "Useless" | 3:47 |
| 9. | "Perfect Person" | 4:29 |
| 10. | "Communion" | 5:22 |
Personnel
- Matt Holt - vocals
- Tom Maxwell - guitar
- Bill Gaal - bass, keyboards, programming
- Chris Houck - drums
- James SK Wān - bamboo flute
Singles
| Year | Song |
|---|---|
| 1997 | "Pacifier" |
| 1997 | "One Thing" |
| 1997 | "Defaced" |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Pacifier - Nothingface". Allmusic.
- ^ "Official Discography". Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- ^ http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nothingface-1995-debut-album-to-see-light-of-day/
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5JUDZ4788Q
- ^ a b c d https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1997/08/29/nothingface-pacifier-dcide/887f7b7d-a0b7-4809-900d-8d0b2067a0a3/