Skyscraper National Park

Amazon.com
Bedroom grunge folkie Paul Hayden Desser emerged in the '90s as the acoustic equivalent of an electrified punk-popper, strumming forcefully through bedsit tales of angst and ennui. His stark tunes caught the ear of Neil Young and set off a wild bidding war, though Hayden ended up signing to the fledgling Outpost label for one record. 2001's Skyscraper National Park is everything that Hayden's Outpost disaster, The Closer I Get, was not. While the major-label disc buried the gruff songwriter's melodies beneath big-budget dross, Skyscraper National Park puts Hayden back in his home studio, playing most of the instruments himself and reconnecting with what made him interesting in the first place. Songs like "Streetcar" return to the mope-pop of earlier albums, while the surprisingly funky "Tea Pad" mixes psychedelic fuzz with a shuffle beat. A welcome return. --Matt Galloway

Skyscraper National Park,Hayden,Badman Records,Instinctual, honest, Americana-steeped folk that occupies a diverse landscape: raw and bleak, yet warm.,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

Skyscraper National Park

Average customer rating:

Grunge Garage Folk
I knew I would like this CD.
Brilliant
I'm Not a Fan & I Love It!
It's Homemade

Skyscraper National Park
Hayden
Manufacturer: Badman Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Elk-Lake Serenade
Live at Convocation Hall
Everything I Long For
The Closer I Get
Moving Careful

ASIN: B000063DH0
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

Street Car
Dynamite Walls
Steps to Miles
I Should Have Been Watching You
Long Way Down
Tea Pad
All in One Move
Bass Song
Carried Away
Looking For You in Me
Lullaby

Amazon.com

Bedroom grunge folkie Paul Hayden Desser emerged in the '90s as the acoustic equivalent of an electrified punk-popper, strumming forcefully through bedsit tales of angst and ennui. His stark tunes caught the ear of Neil Young and set off a wild bidding war, though Hayden ended up signing to the fledgling Outpost label for one record. 2001's Skyscraper National Park is everything that Hayden's Outpost disaster, The Closer I Get, was not. While the major-label disc buried the gruff songwriter's melodies beneath big-budget dross, Skyscraper National Park puts Hayden back in his home studio, playing most of the instruments himself and reconnecting with what made him interesting in the first place. Songs like "Streetcar" return to the mope-pop of earlier albums, while the surprisingly funky "Tea Pad" mixes psychedelic fuzz with a shuffle beat. A welcome return. --Matt Galloway

Customer Reviews:

Grunge Garage Folk.......2006-09-07

Hayden's voice quivers and cracks throughout the album, that brings an ambience that makes you feel you should be camping somewhere in Appalachia. One reviewer said hayden is dull, well I guess he didn't listen to the lyrics. Hayden writes sorrowful tales, and songs of nature.

Dynamite Walls is a must listen song, it is what got me into Hayden, and now I really enjoy all his music. If you are willing to take a risk, buy this album. I am sure you won't regret it.

I knew I would like this CD........2004-11-05

I knew, never having heard of Hayden, that I would like "Skyscraper National Park" when I saw the cover art.

Really. I have picked many a record that way, and any football bettor would want a system that has worked as well as it has. It didn't hurt that the reviews were positive and the man's recording technique so, well, not unique but let's say unusual. One can see -- actually see and hear -- why Neil Young would be attracted to him; one might also wonder why Neil wouldn't hate the guy. There aren't too many people who could bring off Young's acoustic-ballad atmosphere and intentionally-off production like Hayden does. (Hayden, as in Valley, as in Yellowstone. And the title too. I knew I would like this record.) He even has the voice down. No, it's not a Neil Young imitation, but he has Neil's knack for coaxing the profound truth out of simple lyrics with spot-on inflection. But back to that cover. Only having seen the moose, I was psyched. When I saw the bear on the back, I thought, contain your enthusiasm, you have neighbors. And imagine when I felt the fiberboard packaging. One can see, hear AND feel why Neil Young might like this guy. He is so not about slick, that's for sure. If nothing else, it is my alltiime favorite CD jacket.

Then I opened the package and read the lyrics to "Dynamite Walls." I didn't know they were that at that moment, but when I heard they were, well, "DW" became my co-favorite on the record with "Street Car." "Tea Pad" rounds out my top three, with "Long Way Down" and "Bass Song" second tier. I suspect the others will grow on me.

And I expect to be playing this one a lot on gray raw days like today. For a long time. It's not perfect. And I think I like that.

Brilliant.......2004-01-14

Its truly the only word to describe the songwriting involved with this recording. I fell in love immediately upon hearing this album. The country theme contained within the overall mood of the music is light, but detectable. In a way its a very quiet and soothing break from most of the subtle baggage that comes attatched to most singer/songwriter efforts. In a way, you can describe this as a very "no frills" record. His songwriting is sincere, honest, and at times very graphic, yet tasteful (for the best example of this, listen to track 8 "Bass Song" and you'll know my point exactly). As a whole, this album is not in any means a savior to a genre of mediocre country tinged musicians and their eager fans (hey maybe it is, but who am I to get one's hopes up too much), but its a great album for when you're out driving or sitting around on a rainy day. This is definitely ear candy at its finest, but with excellent messages to back it all up. Get into this, please. Then, get the live album. You will be in for a treat.
For fans of: Clem Snide, Wilco, Elliott Smith.

I'm Not a Fan & I Love It!.......2003-04-24

Hayden is a remarkable musician. I stumbled across the gorgeous "Dynamite Walls" on my new Dell computer. It has to be one of the most enveloping songs I've heard and I Loved it! Then I went and got the CD and was again stunned by the simplicity and beauty of the music. It was nice to hear the country tinges, as I am a country fan, among every other genre. I am surprised and happy that I found Hayden's talent and I can't wait to discover more!

It's Homemade.......2003-03-15

Reminds me very much of the first American Music Club album: excellent songwriting, seemingly unpolished production that actually drips with "atmosphere", made for late night listening, singer sounds slightly haunted, etc. You could do a lot worse with $$$ than pick this up. Although I've only had it for a few days, I think this is an album that will wear well. Hayden throws in some sounds you wouldn't expect to hear in a bedroom recording, such as the string quartet that finishes "Bass Song", or the sombre horns of "Lullaby". And his lyrics can be unexpected as well: "I was only looking for sex, and I think you knew". He seems not to care if he sounds clever or says "the right thing", which earns him points in my book. You won't hear him on the radio, but if you get this, you may not listen to the radio for awhile.

Average customer rating:

hayden, in a forest of sound
A truly memorable live album!
live, breathe music
intimate and stirring performance

Live at Convocation Hall
Hayden
Manufacturer: Badman Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Alternative | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Singer Songwriters | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Skyscraper National Park
Elk-Lake Serenade
Moving Careful
Everything I Long For
The Closer I Get

ASIN: B00006LWRE
Release Date: 2002-09-17

Tracks:

Streetcar
I Should Have Been Watching You
Steps Into Miles
The Hazards of Sitting Beneath Palm Trees
Holster
Middle of July
Between us to Hold
I'm to Blame
Bass Song
We Don't Mind
Stem

Tracks:

Two Doors
I Don't Think We Should Ever Meet
Woody
Long Way Down
All In One Move
Bad as They Seem
Lullaby
Pots and Pans
Trees Lounge
Tell Me Why
Carried Away

Album Description

Live at Convocation Hall is a performance of songs from Hayden's three domestic releases, as well as his limited edition Canadian EP & the title track from Tree's Lounge. The performance is from his March 2002 sold-out show in Toronto, Ontario. Includes 3 new (2002) tracks, plus a cover version of Neil Young's 'Tell Me Why' (featuring guest vocals from Howie Beck & Julie Dorion). Elaborate, double digipak with a 16-page booklet designed by Hayden. Badman.

Customer Reviews:

hayden, in a forest of sound.......2006-11-15

I will admit, before I write this reveiw that I am a Hayden fan. Something about his music stirs my soul. It could be the simple, yet complex songs. It could be the beautiful, but sad songs he often writes. Hayden is an artist full of contridictions, his voice is scratchy and raw, and really not even that good, yet it fits his music perfectly.

As usual this album is warm. It reminds me of a flanel shirt you put on on a cold, crisp day as you warm up next to the hearth. The recording is good, and this is a live album, so it is not studio tight, but I think that is the point. It is a raw sound, that is often apparent in his studio releases, but here it shines through in all its striped-down glory. It is intimate and you can almost feel his breath in the microphone.

If you are a Hayden fan, I recomend this album. It has a collection of songs from all his previous albums and some tracks that are not easy to get in the states. It is a two disc album, and it would add alot to any music fans library. I hope this helped, and you find great pleasure in this artist's latest release.

A truly memorable live album!.......2003-10-22

Hayden's 2-cd live album is, for the most part, simply breathtaking. As well as showcasing some of his best songs (Middle of July, Between Us to Hold, Stem, etc) it captures some cute and funny moments of singer-audience banter. I was at this concert and loved it, and now I have this album to keep forever. I highly recommend it!

live, breathe music.......2002-12-28

this is a great, great album. I'm so happy he put out a live album. I seen him live last year in Detroit and met him, cool guy. I was a fan before that concert so I was excited to see him. If you don't feel like getting his older stuff, which i HIGHLY recommend, get this. bob dylan, leanord cohen, hayden. another musician that has talent,no, a gift. just him, his guitar, piano and harmonica.

intimate and stirring performance.......2002-11-26

When I first listened to this album I realized just how many great songs Hayden has written. It plays out like a greatest hits CD of his 7 years+ musical career. He is such a strong performer and the recording is intimate. And his in-between song bantor is hilarious. It's beautifully packaged in a foldout digipack and includes a booklet of lyrics with photos. Recommended for all fans of this remarkable songwriter/performer.