Pacifier (Nothingface album)
Pacifier is the debut album by the Washington, D.C.-based alternative metal music group Nothingface. The album was released by DCide on February 6, 1997, and was reissued on August 11, 1998.
| Pacifier | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | February 6, 1997[1] | |||
| Recorded | 1996 (OZ Recording Studio/Emporium Recording Studio) Mixed from July 9th–17th 1996[2] | |||
| Genre | Nu metal | |||
| Length | 42:21[1] | |||
| Label | DCide | |||
| Producer | Nothingface & Frank Marchand | |||
| Nothingface chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
Many of the tracks on Pacifier were re-recorded from the band's 1995 independent release Nothingface.[3] The tracks "Defaced", "Self Punishment", "Hitch", "Useless", "Perfect Person", and "Communion" were all re-recorded from Nothingface with slight lyrical changes.
To help promote the album, music videos were made for the tracks "Pacifier" and "Defaced". In "Pacifier", singer Matt Holt is seen wearing a bright golden jacket, which he claimed the record label forced him to wear, in order to give the video a "happier" feel.[4]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
Allmusic gave the album three stars out of five and said that although "Pacifier has garnered unfair comparisons to Korn", the band "show a bright flair that could very well lead them to stardom."[1] Mark Jenkins from The Washington Post criticized Holt's harsh vocals and a lack of variety on the album, although he acknowledged the technical skill and musicianship of the band.[5]
Musical style and lyrics
Elements of alternative metal,[1] post-punk,[5] and death metal[5] are incorporated throughout the album. Matt Holt's harsh and growling vocals are different from Nothingface releases that come after the album Pacifier. The album's songs feature a musical formula that has been described as being similar to the band Korn.[1]
Lyrical themes explored include self-loathing,[5] inner turmoil,[1] self-esteem issues,[1] animosity, and feeling suicidal. The track "Defaced" is about child molestation and abuse.[1]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Matt Holt; all music is composed by Nothingface.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "One Thing" | 4:29 |
| 2. | "Pacifier" | 3:59 |
| 3. | "Lipsdick" | 3:18 |
| 4. | "Undercut" | 4:17 |
| 5. | "Defaced" | 2:50 |
| 6. | "Self Punishment" | 4:12 |
| 7. | "Hitch" | 5:38 |
| 8. | "Useless" | 3:47 |
| 9. | "Perfect Person" | 4:29 |
| 10. | "Communion" | 5:22 |
Personnel
- Matt Holt - vocals
- Tom Maxwell - guitar
- Bill Gaal - bass, keyboards, programming
- Chris Houck - drums
- James SK Wān - bamboo flute
Singles
| Year | Song |
|---|---|
| 1997 | "Pacifier" |
| 1997 | "One Thing" |
| 1997 | "Defaced" |
References
- "Pacifier - Nothingface". Allmusic.
- "Official Discography". Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
- http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/nothingface-1995-debut-album-to-see-light-of-day/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5JUDZ4788Q
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1997/08/29/nothingface-pacifier-dcide/887f7b7d-a0b7-4809-900d-8d0b2067a0a3/