RFC Reviews: Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants

I have to admit I was slightly worried when fellow RFC contributor John Brunner asked if I could review Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants’ self-titled debut album.

“It’s the guitarist for Foo Fighter’s solo project,” he said. “It’s kind of a country thing.”

Country music and I have never quite gotten along, and I thought I would be listening to something seriously twangy. My worst fears, however, were not realized (thank goodness). Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants is a rock album, with a touch of country influence.

The album has an overall lighter sound than Shiflett’s work with Foo Fighters and features some truly heartfelt songwriting. The yearning “An Atheist’s Prayer” is a standout among the album’s original tracks.

The album also features a cover of Joe Strummer’s “Burning Lights.” Strummer’s original version of the song is stripped down, with just a minimal guitar riff throughout. Shiflett & the Dead Peasants fill out the song with some fantastic pedal steel work, putting a slight country spin on the song. With covers, there’s often a fine line between sounding just like the original and deviating too much – this version is just right.

The guitar parts throughout the album is really what makes it. There’s variety between pedal steel, electric and acoustic sounds throughout the record and all are executed beautifully. The pedal steel really shines in “Burning Lights” and the closing track, “Death March,” bringing out the album’s country feel, but not overwhelmingly.

Unfortunately, RCA, Shiflett's label, has asked that no tracks from the album get posted but if you can always preview 30 seconds of the songs on iTunes.

Comments

[Ollie Swann]

sarah kelly, do please piss off. Firstly if you tried to use the few brain cells you have in your head I'm sure you'll find the ability to spell his unsurprisingly simple last name correct. Also by boasting about about your stupidity by deliberatly spelling his name wrong you are simply making an even bigger fool of yourself. Secondly, are you honestly so stupid to think he's a ''washed up douche from the 90's''? He's a member of the hugely successful band, foo fighters as well as other bands before. If anything he is at the top of his game, so the complete opposite of ''washed up''. And lastly as we have already established that you lack intelligence, go into itunes and listen to the parts of the songs they provide. If you find its not for you then that fine but don't then try to act like a smart arse by trying to insult him and making yourself look like a tool while your at it.
cheers

[Amber Valentine]

Woah, that's unnecessary. Everyone's entitled to an opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

[Dudemeister]

Sarah Kelly, you are fucking retarded.

[Sarah Kelly]

ser Review: Sarah Kelly on Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants

When I first heard about Chris Shiflett & the Dead Peasants, I said, "...What?" I said this mainly because at the time I was trying to
Google him and I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to spell that atrocity of a last name. I mean, it's not a particularly
horrible last name...but when you have a name like Shiflett, you should at least have the common courtesy to not put it in your
band name. Just sayin'.

When I finally figured out how Chris Diglett's name was actually spelled, I found a YouTube video of him trying way too hard to play
Helsinki live. Upon viewing, I began to wonder why exactly he was trying so hard. This is the kind of shit that is so terribly over-worked
that it makes you cringe. Just listen to his lyrics. I would quote them here, but I don't want to listen to it again.

Now, if I was some idiot hipster attracted to stupid band names and any loser with a beard and an acoustic guitar, then, hell! I
might actually be interested in this guy's shitty music! But wait! I want to listen to his single before I ! BUT WAIT! I can't! Because
the one song he has up on his Myspace page isn't even clickable. I think you have to buy it...I'm not sure. It's unimportant. The
important thing is that I couldn't click it. And if he's trying to appeal to the technolically illiterate, he's losing.

Hmm, what would I rather do? Go to the store and crap out $15 bucks for an album that I haven't heard jack shit about, who apparently
is a washed up douche from the 90s, or not do that? I would rather NOT DO THAT. Call me old fashioned, but if I can't find your CD on Myspace or the Pirate Bay,
then I guess you lose. When you're a new artist (I use the term "new" loosely) you're supposed to promote your music, right? It's not
rocket surgery.

So because his band name sucks, I can't listen to his one song, and he looks like some kind of lumberjack nightmare,
I figure I'll judge this guy on what I know about him! What do I know about him, you ask? Not much! So I guess I'll skip that part.

Also, you can't be an ~indie~ artist and be on a major label. Come on, man, this is Indie 101.

And Chris, if you're reading, I'll take a free copy of your self-titled debut album, Chris Shitlett & the Dirty Peasants. Sorry, it's Dead Peasants. My bad.

At this point, Chris Diglett might as well go back to being Dave Grohl's Vanity Jack-Off Project. Now THAT'S a name! A name I can spell! So stick that
in your pipe and smoke it!

The End