Piebald

Accidental Gentlemen (2007)
Side One Dummy Records

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Contributed by: Ben_Conoley
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on January 30th 2007

Accidental Gentlemen is the fifth full-length effort from Boston’s Piebald as the band continue with their ever-maturing sound and present fresh challenges for long-time fans and new reasons for the uninitiated to get in on the party.

My own introduction to Piebald actually came with last year's Killa Bros and Killa Bees, a B-sides/DVD combo released on SideOneDummy Records. While I was new to the band, it encouraged me to dig back into their catalogue.

Accidental Gentlemen begins with the aptly titled "Opener," which sets things up much like a Broadway medley if nothing else. Piebald wastes no time in testing the listener. The ending of "Opener" is more than 30 seconds of clicking which leads into the album’s first single, "A Friend of Mine," which offers a more conventional song structure than "Opener," and sets the tone for much of the album. That is, most of the songs consist of choppy verses with biting vocals and larger, more melodic choruses. There’s ton of hooks, but enough change-ups in tempo and structure to make Accidental Gentlemen define itself as much more than the average power-pop album.

The most compelling aspect of Accidental Gentlemen is the stark contrast between the album’s upbeat music and vocalist/guitarist Travis Shettel’s bitter lyrics -- much as with what is heard with bands like Reel Big Fish. If it weren’t for the tendency for Shettel’s vocals to nearly flatten at moments, the album would have been a lot stronger. Nevertheless, I’m sure that those who have become acquired with his style are perfectly content with it, and I’ve got to say it grew on me over a few listens.

Accidental Gentlemen isn’t a standout record for the band or the genre, but it’s solid effort and worth some time spent with your ears.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

Anonymous (February 4, 2007)

Album has moments of brilliance---Opener, There's Always Something Better To Do, Oh The Congestion---it's the band's strongest since We Are The Friends...because it is a step back in that direction.

Anonymous (February 2, 2007)

like piebald? check out (prolly oop) split 7"w/cave in or sometimes friends fight. also "the rock revolution won't be televised"ep. much of anything else is poppy b/s!

Anonymous (February 1, 2007)

accidentally groping 14 year olds

Anonymous (January 31, 2007)

nbnmb

kamikazepilot42 (January 30, 2007)

I haven't really listened to PIebald since We Are the Only Friends We Have...And from the looks of it, that probably isn't going to change. That album, however, is killer.

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

Since it was requested, here's 2 cents from a fan of Piebald since the Venetian days...

Piebald is quirky. That is their strength and they know how to use it. This new release is nothing different and it follows the trend line of their previous 4 releases. If you didn't enjoy All Ears, you'll probably be disappointed in this one too. If All Ears wasn't your favorite Piebald release, but still got some quality play time (this is the category I fall into), you'll get your money's worth with this one too. If All Ears was your favorite Piebald release, I wouldn't understand why, but I'd tell you that this one could rival that and become your new favorite Piebald disc.

So basically, there are no tricks here. If you like Piebald, pick this one up! And if you're reading this and you've never heard Venetian Blinds... or We Are The Only Friends... please do yourself a favor and check those out.

teebor (January 30, 2007)

This album is pretty good and the re-recorded version of "We Cannot Read Poetry" is awesome!

rocktopus (January 30, 2007)

Rad. Can't wait to get this.

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

Piebald was a good band. I enjoyed We are the only friends that we have but you could hear where they were going with their sound. Then All Ears, All Eyes, All the Time, came out and the bad news was confirmed...they suck. I don't think that I will dgive the new one a chance.

Go listen to Venetian Blinds or Barely Legal/All Ages and listen to the awsomeness that was Piebald.

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

Listening to this album gives you a relaxing feeling while rocking out at the same time. It's a bubble-gum rock thats pleasing! Going on a road trip? I'd add this to your collection of long car ride music. And not for forget "Oh, the Congestion" is def. one of the best songs.

GlassPipeMurder (January 30, 2007)

If a band is going to play this type of mid tempo, meat and potatoes rock they really need to have compelling melodies and songs to back it up. These guys do not have those things.

First of all, this album is much more uptempo, and the compelling melodies are there: "Oh, the Congestion", "Don't Tell Me Nothing", "A Friend of Mine", "Nature Wins". This is a band that has been around since before the emo/indie explosion and hasn'tn compromised anything to be more popular. They've actually gone against the trend and moved to harder/faster when most bands get slower and softer.

red_eye_inc (January 30, 2007)

These guys are still around? If a band is going to play this type of mid tempo, meat and potatoes rock they really need to have compelling melodies and songs to back it up. These guys do not have those things.

Scruffy (January 30, 2007)

"i like piebald, but i really wish they would stop touring exclusively with emo bands."

They just played some shows with Planes Mistaken For Stars.

Also, to the guy who said he was disappointed with All Ears: This album is better, but still pretty much more of the same. I was going to write a review of it, and still may, where it was gonna get probably only a 3 or 4 outta 10.

thebouncingsoul (January 30, 2007)

Their record release party for this was so good

mr_ian (January 30, 2007)

Nice review, I may pick this up now, though I was a little disappointed with All Ears...

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

ugh-oldpunker-

cantsitstill (January 30, 2007)

does this sound anything remotely like "When Life Hands You Lemons" or "Venetian Blinds"?

no?

is Travis still trying to "sing"?

yeah?

next.

ben_conoley (January 30, 2007)

Dude, I'm a teacher, not a kid.

Also, I don't mean that Piebald sounds like Reel Big Fish. I was refering to both bands' use of upbeat poppy music twined with bitter lyrics. Am I wrong?

I am unqualified to write a review based on when I got into the band? Give me a fucking break. I had a year to go back and get to know the band, which I did.

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

then write 'em yourself or get laid... pussy

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

why are all the reviews on this site done by "kids" who dont really know anything about the band? i mean fuck, you mentioned reel big fish in this review. im sorry but getting into piebald w/ killa bees is a joke. i want some real reviews, not shit you would find in some high school , home made , crap , 3 page zine.

ConsolationPrizefighter (January 30, 2007)

They played a free show at my school with Read Yellow. It was good times, they're pretty fun to see live. I haven't listened to a lot of this album yet but so far I like it.

kevin_hare (January 30, 2007)

Nothing will beat We Are the Only Friends That We Have.

GlassPipeMurder (January 30, 2007)

heard three tracks and deemed it bad? weak. this is a really good record.

sXenester (January 30, 2007)

hey!
you're part of it.
yeah!
you're part of it.
(didn't even bother reading it, heard 3 tracks on the promo before it got tossed due to suckiness)

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

i like piebald, but i really wish they would stop touring exclusively with emo bands.

danperrone (January 30, 2007)

yeah...this fucking sucks

this band had one good album...and it was we are the only friends that we have

GlassPipeMurder (January 30, 2007)

I'm totally with the author on getting into this band with Killa Bros, which was an amazing b-sides. Since then I've gotten five of their discs and dig these guys a lot.

Anonymous (January 30, 2007)

Pretty good cd

GlassPipeMurder (January 30, 2007)

I think it has more of a punk (almost Ramonesy at times) feel than their other stuff. That said, I think this is their best yet, and "fucking fantastic" sto put it bluntly.

bryne (January 30, 2007)

This record has a total mid-90s alternative vibe.