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Album Details

• Artist: Alun Piggins
• Album: Awaken The Snakes
• Label: AML Records
• Year of Release: 2003
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: dscanland on 2004-01-22

It's been a couple of years since Alun Piggins' debut solo album. You may remember his as the charismatic frontman of Canadian band Morganfields, or you may not. Anyway, Alun is an established singer/songwriter that really hasn't been fully discovered yet. Awaken The Snakes is his new album and fellow Canadian, Fred Eaglesmith has picked him up for his new label, AML Records. It seems a fitting home because even though Piggins doesn't quite have the experience that Eaglesmith does, he does have a similar swagger in his music. Alun turns up the volume a little on Awaken The Snakes as well. Songs like "Days Turn Cold" have a bit of an Americana feel to them with the harmonica and the overall sound. He utilizes lap steel in a couple places moving very far away from the Morganfield pop days. I don't think the appeal of Piggins happens right away. You have to discover little gems like "Bottled Up" after a couple of listens. There are 14 tracks on this album making it a big effort to get through it all, but when you are on the 3-4 listen, his charm pokes its head out and the appreciation is apparent. When Alun mixes the rock and country just right, it sounds so good. There are a track or two that I feel could have been left off the collection but Awaken The Snakes is a very strong album. No sophomore slump here.

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