| Triage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by David Baerwald | ||||
| Released | 1993 | |||
| Genre | Rock, pop rock | |||
| Length | 51:57 | |||
| Label | A&M | |||
| Producer | Bill Bottrell, David Baerwald, Dan Schwartz | |||
| David Baerwald chronology | ||||
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Triage is the second solo album by David Baerwald, formerly of the two-man group David & David. It was released in 1993 on A&M Records. Baerwald had wanted the album to come out before the 1992 United States presidential election, but it was pushed back several months.
Baerwald supported the album by participating in the "In Their Own Words" tour, along with Lisa Germano, Freedy Johnston, Johnny Clegg, and Michael Barabas.
Production
The album was produced by Bill Bottrell, Baerwald, and Dan Schwartz. Baerwald was open to different musical styles and tried not to limit the music to any specific genre. Many of its songs were influenced by politics and conspiracy theories. The album is dedicated to politicians and government officials disliked by Baerwald. The album cover is a photograph of bloody hands on top of the American flag; the liner notes contain photos of the FBI file on Baerwald's father.
Herb Alpert played trumpet on "A Secret Silken World"; due to its theme of sadism, Joni Mitchell allegedly counseled against recording the song. "Nobody" was written after Baerwald tagged along with members of the LAPD gang division. "A Bitter Tree" addresses adultery. The voices of Jim Jones and George Herbert Walker Bush are sampled on "The Postman". The closing two songs incorporate more optimistic sentiments.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Calgary Herald | B+ |
| Chicago Sun-Times |   |
| Chicago Tribune | |
| Los Angeles Times |  |
| USA Today | |
| The Virginian-Pilot | |
The New York Times wrote that the album "leavens its juicy dollops of depravity and paranoia with just enough humor to keep from being an apocalyptic bore." The Calgary Herald noted that Baerwald's "voice—singing, mumbling and shouting those powerful lyrics—carries Triage, with the music pushed down to a subtle supporting role."
The Chicago Tribune concluded that "it's an ambitious work, but heavy-handedness has often been Baerwald's bane." The Los Angeles Times opined that, "like Roger Waters' recent work, Baerwald's well-crafted sonics fail to clothe his ambitious lyrical ideas in sufficient pop appeal." The Philadelphia Inquirer considered Triage to be "ponderous, self-obsessed singer-songwriter indulgence."
AllMusic rated Triage 4.5 out of 5 stars, deeming it "a bumpy ride."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "A Secret Silken World" | Baerwald, Ricketts | 7:42 |
| 2. | "The Got No Shotgun HydraHead Octopus Blues" | Baerwald | 4:27 |
| 3. | "Nobody" | Baerwald, Bottrell | 4:33 |
| 4. | "The Waiter" | Baerwald, Bottrell | 5:03 |
| 5. | "AIDS & Armageddon" | Baerwald | 5:33 |
| 6. | "The Postman" | Baerwald | 5:33 |
| 7. | "A Bitter Tree" | Baerwald | 3:28 |
| 8. | "China Lake" | Baerwald, Ricketts | 4:37 |
| 9. | "A Brand New Morning" | Baerwald | 4:39 |
| 10. | "Born For Love" | Baerwald | 6:22 |
| Total length: | 51:57 | ||
Personnel
- David Baerwald – vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass
- Bill Bottrell – guitars, keyboards, vocals, loops
- Greg Arreguin – guitar
- Dan Schwartz – bass, guitar
- David Kemper – drums
- Brian MacLeod – drums
- Kevin Gilbert – piano, drums
- Herb Alpert – trumpet on "A Secret Silken World"
References
- ^ "Triage by David Baerwald". Stereo Review. 58 (8): 82. Aug 1993.
- Brown, Mark (31 Dec 1992). "New albums from old pals". Onward. Austin American-Statesman. p. 23.
- "Everyday Armageddons". Time. 141 (13): 59. Mar 29, 1993.
- Heim, Chris (12 Mar 1993). "Other rock releases...". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. P.
- ^ Sachs, Lloyd (March 21, 1993). "Baerwald's Sonic Blast at Political Corruption". Show. Chicago Sun-Times. p. 5.
- Mackie, John (29 May 1993). "Baerwald uses society to hone pop's cutting edge". Vancouver Sun. p. E6.
- "Triage by David Baerwald". Billboard. 105 (12): 64. Mar 20, 1993.
- Haymes, Greg (May 13, 1993). "Four Songwriters Talk About the World and Their Songs". Times Union. Albany. p. P12.
- Willman, Chris (11 Apr 1993). "Sing a Song of Paranoia". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 57.
- Grobaty, Tim (April 10, 1993). "Word from our Music Industry Mole...". Press-Telegram. p. B1.
- Rasmussen, Eric (July 8, 1993). "David Baerwald 'Triage'". The Capital Times. p. 1F.
- Wright, Christian (Apr 1, 1993). "Triage by David Baerwald". Rolling Stone (653): 54.
- Gill, Andy (March 4, 1993). "Records". Arts. The Independent. p. 22.
- Harrison, Tom (28 May 1993). "Songwriter tries bridging L.A. gap". The Province. p. B11.
- Hawkins, Robert J. (April 8, 1993). "Artists' second solo albums peer into the dark side". Entertainment. The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. 27.
- ^ Wright, Rickey (April 30, 1993). "David Baerwald 'Triage'". The Virginian-Pilot. p. P8.
- ^ Obee, Dave (28 Mar 1993). "Recent Releases". Calgary Herald. p. C2.
- ^ Kampert, Patrick (1 Apr 1993). "Recordings". Tempo. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
- ^ Boehm, Mike (11 Apr 1993). "David Baerwald 'Triage'". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 61.
- Gundersen, Edna (21 June 1993). "Four by Four". USA Today. p. 6D.
- Holden, Stephen (14 Mar 1993). "For a Chronicler of Bad Vibes, a Lighter Touch". The New York Times. p. A23.
- Moon, Tom (14 May 1993). "Tonight's In Their Own Words...". Features Weekend. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 20.
- Hayes, Kevin. "Triage". AllMusic. Retrieved June 4, 2016.