Frank Secich (Blue Ash, Stiv Bators) and Terry Hartman (Backdoor Men) are complimented by the outstanding musicianship of Pete Drivere and John Koury (both of Infidels fame) formed the Deadbeat Poets in 2007 with the debut album “Notes From The Underground.” Now the follow-up release is finally here. The sound is cleaner, the compositions are tighter, and harmonies more refined. They fly out of the gate with “Elvin Dabney Professional Thief” a intricate melodic composition with multiple hooks. And they rock pretty strong on The Kinks-like “People These Days” and “The Staircase Stomp” makes good use of the carnival organ to help set the atmosphere. Another winner is the epic guitar jangle of “Madras Man” and it’s the rare pop song where six minutes seems too short. Some fast paced pop like “At Least It Worked Out For You” will please fans of The Romantics and The Cars for sure. The band pulls out the steel pedal guitar on “So, This Is Indiana” a mid tempo theme that sounds like a pop travelogue of the state. The shifts in the albums tone on the second half are a bit jarring, like the rock opera styled “Murder in The Choir” to the country rock rhythm of “Sunglass City.” These songs are all highly polished rock gems that pack plenty of imagery in the lyric, and makes repeat listens necessary. Come visit the “Circus Town” and stay awhile.

My Space | Pop Detective | Amazon

Music veteran Rick Altizer having previously produced an impressive array of power pop albums, has made this new concept album that shares a bleak mood with Pink Floyd’s “The Wall.” Opening with a heartbeat, “Hello World” sets the stage for the birth of a selfish soul named Sam. The impeccable guitar melody of the mid-tempo “Don’t Let Me Cry” leads to the bleak heaviness of “Feed Me” where Sam craves attention, “I hold you responsible for all the crap in my life,” he snarls before the chorus. “I Want My Whatever” is yet another wonderful anthem of overindulgence that compares well with Joe Walsh’s “Life’s Been Good.” Another standout is the bouncy guitar of “Star” where the lyrics and melody strut it’s protagonists conceit with abandon. The albums second half shows our anti-hero wants “More” but his insatiable appetite breeds discontent in the heaviest tune here, “Is That It?” Ending with the slow building epic “Take Care of Me” it spirals toward the end of the life cycle in “Assisted” and finally another reprise “Goodbye World.” My biggest knock here is that the album’s second half leans too much on reprising earlier themes (4 reprises). Is “Sam” a rock star in the mold of Roger Water’s “Pink” or just a political analogy for spoiled Americans who crave the nanny-state? Either way its pretty heavy handed here, but the music is typical Altizer, full of hooks, and hypnotic themes. Overall, a welcome change of pace from your typical melodic rock. And it’s a music bargain, only $6 directly from Rick’s site.

My Space | www.rickaltizer.com | CD Baby (past albums)