Bareface

Description

Bareface is the third solo album by the American singer, songwriter, and producer Aaron Sprinkle of Poor Old Lu fame, released on Silent Planet Records in September 2001. The album was produced and recorded by Aaron Sprinkle at The Audio Boutique and Compound Recording in Seattle, Washington, and as well at home. Mixed by Sprinkle at Compound Recording. All songs written by Aaron Sprinkle. Performed by Sprinkle except drums provided by Joey Sanchez and pedal steel guitar provided by Kevin Suggs.

Aaron Sprinkle has the brooding poetry of Elliot Smith with the pop sensibilities of Jeff Buckley and Matthew Sweet, and frankly I think I like him better than all three. [Paste Magazine]

Okay, let’s get my one gripe about this album out of the way right away before we get down to business. This album is just too short. I want more – a lot more. This should have been a double – if not a triple – album. It is that good. Now, I’m not making a direct comparison, but the vibe that I get from this record is very similar to the stuff that Neil Young did back in the ’70s with The Stray Gators. It is very sparse with a down-home feel that is quite satisfying. Couple that with the fact that Aaron is a really good vocalist make this a must-have for any collector of good rock ‘n’ roll music. The project was produced, recorded, mixed and performed by young Mr. Sprinkle. He is accompanied by Joey Sanchez on drums and the occasional pedal steel by Kevin Suggs.

Aaron first came to national prominence as the guitarist of Poor Old Lu and later Rose Blossom Punch. He has released two other solo projects but I’d say that this is my favorite one so far. The playing is simple but tasteful and makes you want to hear it over and over again. After just one hearing I already knew this was one of my top three for the year, in a year that in my opinion has had some outstanding releases. Oh, by the way the artwork on the package by Johann A. Gomez goes along perfectly with the total album. It is minimalist and brilliant, this is one album where everything about it just cries out, professionalism. When I tried to take this disc out of my player to move it from my house to the car, the player rebelled saying it wouldn’t give it up, I can’t say that I really blame it. I think I have listened to this thing about ten times in the last week. My favorite cuts are «Running In My Head» and «Let Me In». [Chris MacIntosh aka Grandfather Rock, The Phantom Tollbooth, 10/17/2001]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/bareface/714436803)

CD tracklist:

01. Really Something – 4:06
02. Sweeter Than Me – 4:53
03. All You Can Give – 3:51
04. Gravel – 3:31
05. No Reason to Pretend – 2:26
06. Running In My Head – 3:22
07. Colorblind – 3:14
08. Let Me In – 4:40
09. The Patron – 3:52
10. The Boy Who Stopped the World – 3:01