Nick Piunti “Solo… ish”
Working with Andy Reed (The Legal Matters) Nick Piunti turned a series of demos into musical manna as per usual. He has added help from Donny Brown (The Verve Pipe) and Joe Daksiewicz (The Complicated Men). The songs are all about the frustration of the music “business,” as we start with “Big in Madrid.” A catchy tune about an overseas tour where he’s always giving of himself, while he tells himself “don’t quit your day job.”
When Nick is on point he’s the best power pop artist in the biz, both “One Dimensional” and “Handshake Deal” are just perfection here. The mellower tracks here are good too, as nothing here is filler. The textures and orchestration of “Darken My Days” show real depth and the layered harmonies on “Vacant Heart” prove to be more highlights. The more emotional “Bruises and Bandages” and the addition of Lora Aldrich on “Tragic Tragedy” are treated with the same care and deserve additional spins. Once again, Nick ends up on my Top Ten short list. Highly Recommended.
Juliana Hatfield and Eric Payne “Bets”
I don’t know when I slipped Juliana into the power pop category, but her first band The Blake Babies were always melodic and her entire career has been consistently underrated. And similar artists, like Liz Phair should be taking notes. ‘Bets’ is a collaboration with her contractor(!) who’s a musician himself. Eric proves that it may take an unexpected, like-minded soul to bring out the best in us.
The opener “Your Social Security” hooks you immediately, with its flowing verses. The rougher riffs of “Only Sister” and “Sweet” keep the same urgency, and Juliana’s vocal carries the song where it needs to go. It goes all relaxed for “Temptation” and the hook is solid on “The Well.” While not every song had me grooving like “Thoughts To Send,” there is enough here to make this highly recommended.
