Major General
Posted by Christian Carey in CD Review, File Under?, Indie, Uncategorized, pianist, power popMajor General
Fistolo
While his regular gig is as keyboardist for the Hold Steady, Franz Nicolay makes a compelling case for his work as a solo act on Major General. ”This World is an Open Door” and “Quiet Where I Lie” provide a badly needed update to the Springsteen model of arena rock. He’s brash and occasionally profane on “Confessions of a Failed Casanova,” leading a high-octane band through spirited choruses. “Hey Dad” incorporates banjo and Hammond organ into the proceedings, unveiling a more multi-faceted arranging style.
Although the energetic rockers are stirring, it’s also nice to hear Nicolay forge different musical pathways. A case in point is “Do we Not Live in Dreams,” where, accompanied by a swinging clarinet solo, he adopts a breezy, jazz pop style a lá Mose Allison (although, ironically, with guitar as the comping instrument instead of piano). Like Billy Joel, he’s able to channel Chopinesque piano textures into a rock context, demonstrating this to good effect on the emotive “Dead Sailors.” Nicolay is as talented as he is versatile.
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