Peter Salett – After a While – Dusty Shoes Music
Reviewed by Peter 3-20-2005

Laid-back collection of songs that are often pretty, sometimes more upbeat and fun. Good use of piano and throughout. Salett’s voice is strong and a little familiar. Nothing on the album was bad, and nothing left a particularly deep impression, but I liked the songs while they lasted. Watch the early ending on 10 and the LONG FADES at the end of nearly every song! Nice album. Soft, pretty piano: 2/5/9 Rock: 3/7 (in its catchy shuffle, but not that strongly rock)

FCC Clean
1. 3:41 – mid-tempo soft rock w/ dominant male vox over guitar, soft percussion and bells. Long fade.
2. * 3:49 – Mid-tempo; piano intro and melody (at first caught me as Waits from Franks Wild Years) w/ distince, repetitive, danceable rhythm. Nice lyrics, male lead vox have an indie sounds; background female vocal effects.
3. * 3:20 – Mid-tempo, rock (through bass); softer, indie vocals. Simple electric guitar riff and work in the background. Cool lyrics, too.
4. 3:45 – Mid-tempo. Soft vocals, piano, background guitar is sparse and simple until middle w/ grating, distorted riff (pretty jarring). Vocals more emotive towards end.
5. * 2:39 – Clear male vox with a little echo over solo-piano-melody which has a somewhat upbeat feel. Guitar comes in subtly. Very pretty love song.
6. 2:34 – Very poppy, upbeat, uptempo love song. Weet but so-so lyrics. The song is cheesy in a 80’s/mid-90’s way – maybe cheesy R.E.M.
7. * 3:24 – Sparse piano restrains the upbeat effect created by the shuffling, soft percussion and together they make a nice intro. Soft male vox are pretty and simple. Very pretty.
8. 2:52 – Clear vox over simple drums and very minimal, country guitar. Harmonies in the background at times. A Knopfler feel to some of the guitar work, but not overall.
9. *3:51 – Mid/down-beat, chill. Pretty acoustic guitar intro. Soft vox singing imaginative lyrics. Sounds like Meddle-era Floyd.
10. 3:19 – Piano starts and is less bare and the vox go back to pop, which serves to make the song very Ben Folds. Decent lyrics. ** Ends with 40s, which makes a hidden-track-feel for:
11. 2:39 – Mid/down-tempo country song all around. “Love my southern girl”