Less Is More
author: Sali Z., self-proclaimed music critic
Pepper has always had the impeccable ability to rhyme with rhythm and retain wording that's sharp & visual. You'll get nothing less than that on "Bad Stars" coupled, of course, with her unique, sweet voice & simple, gorgeous piano-playing. Every song is carefully wrought w/emotion, never lending itself to drama. "Whore," while sounding like warm vanilla, speaks like a lion with its message "...I don't owe you nothin' but a kick and a beer and the truth..." Her cover of "When You Were Mine" is the best version recorded to date. All of her covers carry Pepper's own original interpretational twists (I admit to playing HER cover of "All I Want Is You" at my wedding) and though lovely they are, her best work performed is her own. My personal highlight on the CD is "Fire," which has been around for yrs, playing in smoky clubs & polishing up to become the song you'll find here, immortalized...I find myself pressing "Repeat" on the CD player. I have always been in love with the words, intense & dripping with the bittersweet revenge & memories of love gone awry.
While one may hear a bit of Tori or Joni, Ani or Elton in her work, in the end it always comes down to one name & one word for that name: Pepper McGowan. An original.
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author: robert
simple...beautiful!!!!!!!! feels like a long lost record you've just found again....love it!
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Pepper McGowan rocks mah socks.
author: DrownXYU
What I heard from this CD was amazing, almost like Tori Amos, in parts, which is definitely a good thing. Click on the links and listen to Peppers work. You'll be pleasantly surprised.
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Pepper: Unique, Delicious, Dark Intelligent Tunes!
author: T. Hiles
This work is a solid blend of delicious covers that take on new personalities in Pepper capable hands, to original works that pierce to the darkest corners of the soul. Bad Star is spine-shivering in its dark richness, while Anything But Apples packs a playful punch that sticks in your head long after the disc is done. A solid album from start to finish best enjoyed in its entirety. Highly recommended if you enjoy intelligent, soulful work with an edge and attitude! It's been living in the CD changer for the 3 weeks I've had it and I doubt I'll be retiring it to the CD rack anytime soon.
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