Pinataland – HymnsFor A Dreadful Night
2011, Mekkatone Records
2011, Mekkatone Records
Pinataland is not your typical band. Primary songwriters Doug Stone and DavidWechsler has been writing and playing together since 1999, creating adistinctive Americana sound while focusing on characters drawn from Americanhistory and legend. Supported bytalented musicians such as Robin Aigner (vocals); Bill Gerstel (drums); DeniBonet (violin); Gerald Menke (pedal steel); and producer/multi-instrumentalistRoss Bonadonna, Pinataland has received airplay and accolades from NPR’s “AllThings Considered”, New Yorker magazineand All Music Guide. Pinataland returns in 2011 with their thirdalbum, Hymns For A Dreadful Night,focusing on one dark and gloomy night, with historical figures appearing totell their tales.
Pinataland opens with “The Dreadful Night”, a paean to atime before electricity when the night hours closed around people like asmothering cloak and imagination ran wild. The song is played as a halting hymn, part prayer for protection andpart vigilance. It’s an intriguingfolk/pop opener that gets your attention. “Island Of Godless Men” is based on the perceptions of Dutchman JasperDanckaerts upon his visit to Brooklyn in 1670. The smoking, drinking and carrying on of its residents had Danckaertsseeing the impending end of the world, an upbeat lamentation that becomes amanic celebration of an end day that didn’t come. “An American Man” honors Thomas Paine, who inspite of the fame of his works today, died penniless and practically unknown. This is an intriguing number about changing perceptionsand changes of heart.
“The Death Of Silas Deane” is about the intrigue and tragedyof Deane’s death. A continentalcongressman who helped fund the American Revolution with French Loans, Deanefell victim to the intrigues of politics and internal affairs. The song is well written, and the StephaneGrappelli-style violin work gives it a whirling, dancing feel that’sinfectious. Pinataland continues towrite songs steeped in history and intrigue, but the music at this point beginsto fade into a nominal phase where it’s more structure for the stories thanintriguing in its own right. Thestories, however, are interesting enough on their own to hold the day. “The Oldest Band In Town” in a tale of murderand intrigue set in The Bowery, while “Border Guard” frets over meeting thechallenges of a new era. “Hiawatha” is asolid cover of the Laurie Anderson tune that’s full of Americanareferences. Pinataland closes with “CemetaryMink”, visiting the corpses of George Washington boxer Jack Johnson and MarilynMonroe, and offers interesting perspectives that look both forward and back.
Pinataland intrigues with their storytelling on Hymns For A Dreadful Night, but themusic often takes back seat to the stories. It’s a compelling listen, but there’s too much musical talent here forthe final product. Stone and Wechslerhave an impressive supporting cast; one they could have made much better useof. Still, Hymns For A Dreadful Night is compelling whether you’re a studentof history, or just love a good tale.
Rating: 3 Stars(Out of 5)
Learn more at www.pinataland.comor www.myspace.com/pinataland. Pinataland's website indicates that Hymns For A Dreadful Night has been released, but no online outlets are noted as of this posting. Keep checking www.pinataland.com for availability.