The Full Sentence is the second studio collaboration between Seattleites Steve Fisk and Shawn Smith, and the follow up to the duo's eponymous 1993 debut. While both are celebrated nationally for their contributions to the Northwest music scene, don't let the rock resumes deceive you. Together, as Pigeonhed, Smith and Fisk mix up an elegant combination of beats and grooves; an organic fusion of brooding soul a la Stevie Wonder united with DMX-ified funk.



Still, The Full Sentence continues the voyage well past its landmark influences to an infinitely more decadent place. Dark, heavy beats glide under looped ambient soundscapes while synthesizers and crunchy guitars (some courtesy of Soundgarden's Kim Thayil and Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell) segue into hip-shakingly orchestrated dramas. Combined with the sultry multi-octave vocal prowess of Smith and a gaggle of famous guests, Pigeonhed also veer into the pop realm. Songs such as "Marry Me" and "Glory Bound" are by no means traditional funk-soul, but fiery gospel-inspired musings. On the flipside, "31st of July" is a Clinton-esque funk tangent laced with enough shake-yer-butt prowess to catapult even the biggest beast of burden to the dance floor.