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Faces & Names
by
Faces & Names Image
Metascore
67

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: The former Soul Asylum frontman offers up a debut solo release that is quite a departure from his former band's work, emphasizing loungey R&B and soul grooves instead of punky alternative rock.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Nude As The News
    80
    It almost sounds like Pirner is born again, and as anyone who's heard some of Soul Asylum's earlier records -- especially Hangtime and And The Horse They Rode In On -- knows, that's a good thing.
  2. AllMusic
    80
    While Faces & Names lacks the same physical power as Soul Asylum's best work, the best songs here manage to sound comfortable, magnetic, and passionate all at once.
  3. CDNow
    60
    Faces and Names' new sonic explorations are a welcome change from the early '90s alt-rock sound Soul Asylum had bludgeoned into the ground, though the lyrics here don't approach Pirner's best.
  4. Rolling Stone
    60
    The nuanced approach of the friends and session men who back him suits the more nuanced lyrics.
  5. Blender
    40
    The parade of midtempo soul-pop snoozers and funk-lite fluff is no more memorable than Soul Asylum's last record. Which is to say, not very. [#9, p.153]
    All this publication's reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. PatriciaS
    Jul 2, 2005
    10
    This is a very good CD! Great music.
  2. sandrap
    Mar 28, 2003
    10
    Excellent album. Every song is worth listening to. It's always a great accomplishment to make a complete CD - that is, one that you Excellent album. Every song is worth listening to. It's always a great accomplishment to make a complete CD - that is, one that you don't have to keep skipping songs that you don't like.… Expand
  4. EwenM
    Aug 1, 2005
    9
    I was a huge fan of Soul Asylum going back to their mid-1980's heyday, when they were the best live act around, and I have enjoyed I was a huge fan of Soul Asylum going back to their mid-1980's heyday, when they were the best live act around, and I have enjoyed following Dave's ups and downs over the years. This is an easy album to dislike and and even easier one to thoroughly enjoy. While it is nothing like Soul Asylum, why should it be?, it is a heartfelt, solid, soulful chunk of easy listening. It's a great album! Why does no one believe me? Every song is touched by Dave's obvious talent for putting together a great sound, even if the lyrics sometimes lack (who gives a crap about lyrics anyway?)... I'll go on record as saying this is underrated, overlooked and a total gem.… Expand

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