Chase Pagan : Bells & Whistles :: Review
Where do I start with the latest incarnation of the artist known as Chase Pagan? Formerly a protégé of Ross Robinson and the prominent (sic) nu metal scene of 2004-2005, Pagan was signed to Geffen who later rejected his unimpressive debut. Pagan decided to capitalize on the burgeoning new freak folk scene and reinvent himself as a arty singer songwriter in the same vein as Devendra Banhart. Pagan released a free EP in this new guise called “Oh Musica!” and has since followed it up with a proper debut entitled, “Bells & Whistles.”
“Bells & Whistles” might contain some of the best new folk music ever but I can’t get through three tracks on the album. I don’t think being jaded is the issue here. Pagan’s vocal style is very affected, precocious and over the top. To get a picture of what Pagan sounds like, imagine an ultra feminine Antony Hegarty and you get the picture. As a matter of fact, the actual instrumentation is ok if you’re into a faux cabaret style of performance. If his voice were easier to take, I might have been able to make it up to his tenth song on this disc. “Bells & Whistles” doesn’t seem so much like a proper album as it seems like a Frankenstein creation put together by a focus group or committee and that is a shame. With a little more work and maybe some testosterone Chase Pagan might be on to something.
Rating: 
-
http://myspace.com/marydixiemusic Gabriel Traylor
