Smoke Signals

smoke signals

Editorial Reviews
Skyscraper
"...Prepare for your feet to dance and your head to explode."

Product Description
Point Line Plane began as a synth/drums duo, creating noise music with pop hooks and touring the U.S. relentlessly. As electro continued to fizzle out and screamy dance-punk/neo-no wave enjoyed a brief spike of popularity, kids and college radio DJs took note of PLP's eclectic and original style, often contrasting the sound to other innovators like Liars, Ex-Models and Lightning Bolt. Actual comparisons, however, were harder to draw; reviews found writers grasping for metaphors rather than listing influences.

In two short years, Point Line Plane played over 100 shows and continued to hone their near-telepathic live skills in destructively short 20-minute concert performances. The production of a self-titled album and their subsequent score for the feature documentary film Haunters made it clear that their studio abilities were unquestionable as well.

Smoke Signals,Point Line Plane,Skin Graft Records,Experimental Rock,Noise-Rock,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop,United States of America

Smoke Signals

Average customer rating:

Beauty
soundtrack
Poetic, moving, spiritual journey.
Great Music
Just buy it

Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture
B. C. Smith
Manufacturer: Tvt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Smoke Signals
RESERVATION BLUES The Soundtrack
Mahk Jchi
Weaving The Strands: Music By Contemporary Native American Women
First Come, Last Served

ASIN: B000007Q6L
Release Date: 1998-06-23

Tracks:

Forgive Our Fathers Suite
On Fire Suite
Fourth Of July
Arnold's Body
Road Buddy
Arnold Is Dead
Treaties
Fry Bread
Reservation Blues
Hippy Arnold
Journey Begins
Alternate Gymnast
A Million Miles Away
Good Day For Breakfast
Breaking Bottles
Arnold Leaves
Clobbering Thomas
Super Thomas
John Wayne's Teeth
Charles Bronson
Fry Bread Riot
Jesuit Basketball
Trailer haircut
Victor's Run Suite
That's My Father
Father And Farther
All My Relations

Amazon.com

At its best, the soundtrack to Smoke Signals is a beautiful experience--simple orchestrations with plaintive flute and guitar (just check out "Arnold Is Dead") give the soundtrack to this Native American-directed, -written, and -acted film an introspective feel. Too often, however, the otherwise moving score by B.C. Rich resorts to standard rock clichés. The electric guitar used throughout has a generic '80s metal sound, which does little to enhance the film's tone (unlike the included and wonderful vocal contributions from Native American ensembles Ulali and the Eaglebear Singers). Guitar-shaded soundtracks can work extremely well (check out the excellent Gas Food Lodging score). Here, however, the ax is up-front and distracting. It's a shame because on more subdued tracks like "Charles Bronson," "Fry Bread Riot," and "That's My Father," the Northwest Sinfonia is simply sublime. Cuts by singer/songwriters Dar Williams and Jim Boyd are also featured, making this soundtrack all the more powerful. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Beauty.......2004-03-08

It's difficult to give beauty any meaningful score. 'Five stars' just isn't enough in this case. From start to finish, this is a great collection of music... one of those CDs you buy a second time because it deserves to be shared with a good friend.

soundtrack.......2002-09-16

I've never been a soundtrack lover but this one's the exeption. It captures the mood and emotions of the movie. I just love it...

Poetic, moving, spiritual journey........2002-01-25

At times the soundtrack to Smoke Signals is lighthearted, like the laugh-out-loud novelty of the Eaglebear Singers chanting a song called "John Wayne's Teeth." At other times it is a hummable road song, like "Reservation Blues" or "A Million Miles Away." But most of the time it is a journey, a journey of remembrance, questions, pain, and, like the phoenix, rising from the ashes and soaring.

I loved the two songs by Ulali, one of which ("All My Relations") can be found on their album Mahk Jchi. Their haunting acapella chants really made "Forgive Our Fathers Suite" the best song on the soundtrack even though it was difficult to choose a favourite. The song is eerie, powerful, connected, a plea. Pounding drums and near-guttural chants open the track, but near the middle there is a sudden transition to a gentle three-part harmony flowing like the river, a sense of tension being released, of past ghosts freed and worries laid to rest.

The music ranges from quiet guitar and flute, Native flute and percussion ("Charles Bronson"), chant and guitar ("Victor's Run Suite,")to a mixture of rock and Native influence ("On Fire Suite," "Fourth of July"). Many of Thomas's storytelling songs have the exact same introduction ("Hippy Arnold," "Good Day for Breakfast," and "Fry Bread Riot" all sound suspiciously similar although it does lend continuity to the setting).

This is one of the best soundtracks I've ever invested in. There are a variety of songs spanning a number of genres, all Native, all representing different aspects of who we are and where we are going. It is always touching, powerful, and an awakening whenever I listen to it. If you are searching for something or if your journey is only beginning, pick up a copy of "Smoke Signals" to help you on your path.

Great Music.......2000-11-04

This songs on this CD exude both the thunder and gentleness of musical expression. On many of the songs the Native American elements are very strong. Other songs are more white folky sounding, and then there are the ambient soundtrack snippets which sound good to, but aren't really full- fledged "songs". There are a few tracks which I just can't get into, but overall its a great CD with an excellent production. Wow- what a film though. Very powerful stuff.

Just buy it.......2000-07-01

Whatever brought you to this site insures that you won't be sorry with your purchase. I have over 80 NA artists' CD. I am proud to include this one in my collection BTW: If you get through the final tract without tears or a lump in your throat, you get a special prize at heaven's gate...

Average customer rating:

great
Essential Magic!
REZ BLUES.....

RESERVATION BLUES The Soundtrack
Jim Boyd and Sherman Alexie
Manufacturer: Thunderwolf
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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First Come, Last Served
Smoke Signals: Music From The Miramax Motion Picture
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Smoke Signals
Bone Days

ASIN: B00004Z125
Release Date: 1995-09-15

Tracks:

Reservation Blues
Treaties
Indian Boy Love Song
Father And Farther
My God Has Dark Skin
Falling Down And Falling Apart
Big Mom
Urban Indian Blues
Small World
Wake
Old Man Singing
Break And Keep
99 Percent Alike
Prophecy

Album Description

This recording blends Spokane/Coeur d' Alene Indian writer Sherman Alexie's words with Colville Indian songwriter Jim Boyd's music to form a very moving collaboration.

Three songs from this CD was placed in the miramax motion picture Smoke Signals and is included on the TVT Records soundtrack.

The song "Small World" was placed on the benefit CD HONOR, which included many other guests such as; Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls, John Trudell, Matthew Sweet, and many more.

Customer Reviews:

great.......2005-08-08

Best Indian Blues album. Alexie + Jim = reality check = lets move beyond where we are now = then we may be able to get some of it back. Now go check out a folksinger from Minnesota, her name is Sarah Thomsen. Not the jazz artist but the folk singer, get her Is This for Freedom cd. Wow. And don't forget Annie Humphrey.

SG

Essential Magic!.......2002-10-27

This is my all time best CD I have ever owned. I can't belive there wasn't more reviews! This man Jim Boyd is my favorite singer-songwriter next to Cat Stevens. I wish everyone in the whole world had this Cd. Its impossible to go over the depth and profound nature of this CD you have to purchase it and listen yourself. My Fav song is actually the prayer at the end "Forgive Our Fathers" but everything with Jim Boyd is fantastic! I listen to this every day even though I bought it almost four years ago I can't tire of this and my children know all the words to every song. Many of the songs still bring tears to my eyes each time I hear them. This CD is a classic! Its just so beautiful and in fact anyone who doesn't get excited hearing it I don't trust and wouldnt' take home with me, ever... judgemental maybe but I do have standards.

REZ BLUES............2001-02-25

ESSENTIAL JIM BOYD I AWAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIS NEXT MASTERPIECE GREAT SONGS ON HERE LIKE FATHER AND FATHER ,REZ BLUES,TREATIES AND MORE IT'S REZ BLUES AT IT'S BEST I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS MUSICIAN I HAVE ALL HIS CDS AND THERE RIGHT NEXT TO MY BILL MILLER COLLECTION WHOM I RESPECT.

Average customer rating:

Smoke Signals
Smokey Robinson
Manufacturer: Motown
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000008K2S
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Some People (Will Do Anything for Love)
Sleepless Nights
Because of You (It's the Best It's Ever Been)
Be Kind to the Growning Mind
Te Quiero Como Si No Humbiera un Mana (I'm Gonna Love You Like There'
Hold on to Your Love
Photograph in My Mind
No Time to Stop Believing
Wishful Thinking
Hanging on by a Thread

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Smoke Signals
Point Line Plane
Manufacturer: Skin Graft Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tracks:

Smoke Signals
Adult Contempt
Bugs
Descender
Lights Out I
1976
D.R.U.G.
The Messenger
Lights Out II

Album Description

Point Line Plane began as a synth/drums duo, creating noise music with pop hooks and touring the U.S. relentlessly. As electro continued to fizzle out and screamy dance-punk/neo-no wave enjoyed a brief spike of popularity, kids and college radio DJs took note of PLP's eclectic and original style, often contrasting the sound to other innovators like Liars, Ex-Models and Lightning Bolt. Actual comparisons, however, were harder to draw; reviews found writers grasping for metaphors rather than listing influences.

Their sophomore effort and Skin Graft Records debut Smoke Signals is a concept album about failed communication in all forms. While the addition of a third member (and even more synths) could have created a wall of sound throughout, the album is more often reflective of restraint, tension and drama. Repetition, hypnosis, psychedelia, paranoia and darkness - these are the ingredients combined to form an album whose sonic textures will satisfy extreme noise enthusiasts as well as fans of classic, melodic songwriting.

Smoke Signals
Average customer rating:

Mole Extricated

Soft Machine by another name

Rare Live Mole!

Smoke Signals
Matching Mole
Manufacturer: Cuneiform
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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March

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Playtime

Theatre Royal Drury Lane

ASIN: B00005B53T
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Tracks:

Intro
March Ides I
Smoke Rings
Nan True's Hole
Brandy As In Benj
Electric Piano Solo
March Ides II
Instant Pussy
Smoke Signal
Lything & Gracing

Customer Reviews:

Mole Extricated.......2004-04-04

Progressive rock has always had this one element that seemed to be in opposition to the melodic, flowing, uplifting music of Yes, Camel, Focus, to name a few. This congenital growth out of prog was unusually dark, with angular movements and usually dissonant without melody or form. This style, probably more jazz-like than progressive, was interesting at times, but on this release, it is not. Harsh feedback, abrasive, incoherent ranting, uninteresting time changes, this is for the stout,

so-called, "intellectual", Rock-In-Opposition (RIO) crowd, and Soft Machine fans, I guess. I didn't find much of anything of interest on this album. Glad this Mole was short lived.

Soft Machine by another name.......2002-09-10

As the punning name suggests ("soft machine" is "machine moelleux" in French), Matching Mole is how Soft Machine might have evolved had drummer/vocalist Robert Wyatt stayed with his former group. By the time Smoke Signals and its companion release, March, were recorded in concert, Matching Mole was an outstanding performance unit that excelled in extended improvisational pieces. I think these two recently released live albums demonstrate the musical excellence of Matching Mole even better than the two studio albums that were released back in the day. Highly recommended.

Rare Live Mole!.......2001-08-02

What a treat it is to have live evidence of one of the quirkiest, unfulfilled and most short-lived bands in the whole prog-rock arena. The recordings are surprisingly good, and the playing is considerably harder-edged than their studio recordings.

A very nice package too.

Smoke Signals
Average customer rating:
Smoke Signals

Manufacturer: Panorama
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000FP7NPK

Product Description

Steve Slagle alto sax; with Dave Stryket guitar; Victor Lewis drums; Mark Soskin Piano; Bill Stewart Drums; Jay Anderson bass; Special Guest Joe Lovano TRACKS: 1. Violation; 2. Triangle; 3. Shhh...; 4. Meltdown; 5. Second Coming; 6. Tudo Muda; 7. Smoke Signals; 8. I mean you; 9. Mes Amis; 10. Easy Livin; 11. East of the Sun

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Smoke Signals
3 Alarm
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000G8P2WC
Release Date: 2006-04-18

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Smoke Signals Glory
Anthony Stauffer & Holy Smoke
Manufacturer: Smoke Signals Glory - Anthony Stauffer & Holy Smoke
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000BK9TNS
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Movin' On
Burn Me Too
Covenant
Leave Tomorrow Alone
Back At It Again
Just Another Love Song
I Made You To Be With Me (f. Ephraim McKenzie)
Brand New (f. Sonya Sessoms)
No Mojo

Product Description

This is the first album released by Anthony Stauffer & Holy Smoke. It features 9 tracks that range from smokin blues to rock to ballads. Recorded live in April of 2005, this CD has several memorable performances including guest appearances by vocalists Sonya Sessoms and Ephraim McKenzie on two tracks.

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Smoke Signals

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Smoke Signals
The Symbolics
Manufacturer: 7 Mile Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000CAE9V4
Release Date: 2005-07-19

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