Pacifier (Nothingface album)
Pacifier is the debut album by American nu metal band Nothingface. It 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 | |||
| Studio | OZ Recording Studio/Emporium Recording Studio Mixed July 9–17, 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 |   [1] |
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 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 December 7, 2015.
- "NOTHINGFACE: 1995 Debut Album To See Light Of Day". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. March 31, 2009.
- Nothingface - Matt Holt Interview on The Dark Hour Video Show (unedited), April 1999. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 9, 2021.
- Jenkins, Mark (August 29, 1997). "NOTHINGFACE" – via www.washingtonpost.com.