Shawn Smith website!

English Dash

Really looking forward to Shawn Smiths new website and Satchel's new album.

HeavyHands

I was a little surprised to read that Satchel would be re-forming, but I'm really looking forward to hear what they're going to put out. Their albums are often sorely overlooked. A much moodier side of Brad, you know?

Unfortunately, recognizing Shawn Smith and Co's keen eye for writing a good pop song has never been a strength of the general public. He put out no less than six albums between 1993 (Brad's first ) and 1997 (the second Pigeonhed album) and the only thing I ever heard played on a radio (or otherwise) was that Lo-Fi Allstars remix of Battle Flag. Six albums worth of material.

LukinFan

HeavyHands wrote:

I was a little surprised to read that Satchel would be re-forming, but I'm really looking forward to hear what they're going to put out. Their albums are often sorely overlooked. A much moodier side of Brad, you know?

Unfortunately, recognizing Shawn Smith and Co's keen eye for writing a good pop song has never been a strength of the general public. He put out no less than six albums between 1993 (Brad's first ) and 1997 (the second Pigeonhed album) and the only thing I ever heard played on a radio (or otherwise) was that Lo-Fi Allstars remix of Battle Flag. Six albums worth of material.

fuck the radio- the guy writes some killer songs

English Dash

Killer songs, no kidding. I was also surprised at Satchels return but I am in great anticipation of this new stuff.
Thought The Family was an awesome album from them. Shawns Diamond Hand lp was great too but saying that I still find Shawn a challenging listen as he has a strange songwriting and vocal style which some of my friends don't quite get, but I love it so fuck it!

Shawn Smith Collective

Hey guys - I've posted an All Hail the Crown jam session on the main page of the site...ENJOY!

Chris

Loved Satchel and Brad. and also SS work with Greg Dulli. Where is the best place to start with solo stuff?

mr bungle

When's the new satchel album coming out?

Shawn Smith Collective

Chris wrote:

Loved Satchel and Brad. and also SS work with Greg Dulli. Where is the best place to start with solo stuff?

You can listen to his 3 studio albums right here!
http://www.entertonement.com/shawnsmith

I prefer Shield of Thorns and Diamond Hand myself.

mr bungle wrote:

When's the new satchel album coming out?

Should be soon......I'll definitely keep you posted!

soulsinging

HeavyHands wrote:

I was a little surprised to read that Satchel would be re-forming, but I'm really looking forward to hear what they're going to put out. Their albums are often sorely overlooked. A much moodier side of Brad, you know?

Unfortunately, recognizing Shawn Smith and Co's keen eye for writing a good pop song has never been a strength of the general public. He put out no less than six albums between 1993 (Brad's first ) and 1997 (the second Pigeonhed album) and the only thing I ever heard played on a radio (or otherwise) was that Lo-Fi Allstars remix of Battle Flag. Six albums worth of material.

interesting. i hope it's more like the first satchel album. i like brad and satchel, but sometimes they move a little too close to really boring/cheesy soft rock... like daniel powter or whoever sang that superman song. that first satchel album is awesome though.. tripped out, groovy, soulful, funky. they're much better when they've got some edge. the piano soft rock is best confined to a few tunes at best.

mr bungle

Shawn Smith Collective wrote:

Chris wrote:

Loved Satchel and Brad. and also SS work with Greg Dulli. Where is the best place to start with solo stuff?

You can listen to his 3 studio albums right here!
http://www.entertonement.com/shawnsmith

I prefer Shield of Thorns and Diamond Hand myself.

mr bungle wrote:

When's the new satchel album coming out?

Should be soon......I'll definitely keep you posted!

Please do!

Shawn Smith Collective

soulsinging wrote:

sometimes they move a little too close to really boring/cheesy soft rock... like daniel powter or whoever sang that superman song.

I disagree on many levels, perhaps with the exception of maybe one or two softer singles, like Day Brings or Shinin', though again I think there are many differences. That said, I think you're referring to Powter's cover of The Cure's Just Like Heaven.

LukinFan

Shawn Smith Collective wrote:

soulsinging wrote:

sometimes they move a little too close to really boring/cheesy soft rock... like daniel powter or whoever sang that superman song.

I disagree on many levels, perhaps with the exception of maybe one or two softer singles, like Day Brings or Shinin', though again I think there are many differences. That said, I think you're referring to Powter's cover of The Cure's Just Like Heaven.

I thought he was talking about that awful 3 Doors Down song

HeavyHands

soulsinging wrote:

i hope it's more like the first satchel album... tripped out, groovy, soulful, funky. they're much better when they've got some edge. the piano soft rock is best confined to a few tunes at best.

That first one is really brilliant. They managed to cover a lot of ground, show off some serious talent, and sound like no one else. It was a great first effort. I was really expecting The Family to be a little harder edged than it was after EDC, but because of the quality of songwriting and cohesiveness of the album I wasn't at all disappointed.

soulsinging wrote:

i like brad and satchel, but sometimes they move a little too close to really boring/cheesy soft rock...

They definitely changed tones after EDC. I'm not sure if it had to do more with the departure of Cory Kane or the emergence of of Shawn Smith's writing prowess. My guess would be that it was the latter since it's evident on Smiths other, later catalogue that many of the songs on The Family bare strong resemblance to his later work, both solo and with others.

I really don't mind the lighter stuff though. Fact (to me) is, I don't think there was anyone else writing/singing with the heart and talented sense of melody that Smith had at that time. The Day Brings is (again, to me) one of the most perfectly crafted pop songs I've ever heard. Concise with brilliantly sweet melodies. Not too long or short nor over/under-produced. As is Buttercup, Suffering, Isn't That Right, Criminal Justice, Sheepish, and Brothers & Sisters. There are legions of songwriters in the world who should be learning from this guy.

Also, criminally overlooked is Walk In Freedom from the Strange Days soundtrack. If you haven't heard it, it's heavily influenced by EDC in terms of how heavy it is. Dark and atmospheric. Awesome.

Pap

Soar like an eagle, Shawn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMvbmcRrF7w&feature=youtu.be

jeffbr

My favorite Seattle singer. Gone too soon. Soar like an eagle, Shawn. 
I saw him many, many times over the years with Satchel, Pigeonhed, Brad, solo, with Greg Dulli, at various tributes and celebrations. He was always kind, happy to sit and talk at the bar, etc... Just a beautiful soul. I'll miss him, but his music lives on. I've listened to little else this past week.