It is sort of a back to the beginning for both us and Nick Piunti. As we approach our 10th Anniversary, his Trust Your Instincts album was our first album of the year in 2016. He wasn't new to me then as both 13 In My Head and Beyond The Static had been covered in our Anything Should Happen Days.
Piunti wise, it is also a return to those earlier days. After the crunchier time with The Complicated Men, the new album is more restrained and both Andy Reed and Donny Brown are back in tow. This had led to a feel that is a little more mellow and at times, a softer tone vocally.
But the album isn't solely about the laidback. There is still classic Piunti in abundance. If you wanted a song to define his career, it would be Handshake Deal which contains all the elements that make the man great. The sheer melodic, the killer vocal and a riff to die for.
One Dimensional is similar, but with more Riffs where Piunti is joined by fellow Complicated Men Guitarist, Joe Daksiewicz, for Guitar Heaven, Be in no doubt that Solo...ish still rocks, but the gentler songs resonate equally.
Better Songs is a big Pop number, even sounding a little 60s in feel.Bruises And The Bandages is a fine ballad with Reed's keyboards adding great effect. Peripheral gets close to Americana. The gentle Jangle on Tragic Tragedy is hypnotic as is the twanging solo.
Nick Piunti has never made an album that is anything below top notch and he isn't gonna start now. All his trademark melody is everywhere, that wonderful vocal shines. Here, he has managed to incorporate bigger arrangements and add keyboards that don't overshadow what he is best at. Another superb album!
You can listen to and buy the album here. The album is available on Vinyl and CD on the Jem Records label here and everywhere. It is also available as a download.
............
