Steve Poltz

Red Tunic Troll

posted on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:59:23

Impressive alt-folk-pop singer/songwriter's 3rd

The California-based Poltz isn't exactly a prolific solo recording artist, this being his third release in ten years. But what he lacks in volume is more than recouped in the quality of his songs and performances. While with The Rugburns in the mid-90s, Poltz struck up a friendship with the pop chanteuse Jewel and co-wrote her hit single "You Were Meant for Me." A deal with Merucy led to his 1998 solo debut, "One Left Shoe," a follow-up on his own 98 Pounder label in 2003, "Chinese Vacation," and now this third release.

Each of his three releases is surprisingly distinct. The first was tame and unsure, casting Poltz as an alt.country folk singer, but sounding committed. The second, christening his own label, was more experimental, with louder guitars and processed studio vocals augmenting the country-folk. The were some terrific moments, with incredibly catchy song titles ("I Killed Walter Matthau" and "Give You Up For Lent" topping the list) and freely expressed vocals, but the sophomore release still sounded like an artist trying out sounds and techniques.

This latest CD reaps the benefits of both his radio-friendly debut and his wider-ranging follow-up. Poltz fleshes out his music with Meddle-era Pink Floyd-like psychedelia on the opener, and swirling melodica, Eastern finger cymbals, soulful B3 organ and insistent, ringing guitars on "Rains." There's a '70s vibe to many of the tracks, including the mellotron on the ballad "The Haters Union" and the sing-song Raspberries qualities of "I Believe." Luckily, none of this sounds like a '70s throwback, as the instrumental and production touches are quite modern, at turns folky, country, jangly and even twee. The sophisticated balance draws upon earlier pop without wallowing in nostalgia.

Poltz writes of his travels, both literally and metaphorically. His family's cross-continental migration from Canada to San Diego (and his own transition from Canadian to Catholic) is chronicled in the solo acoustic "Brief History of My Life," and the bouncy "I Believe" recounts a bar-fight that sparked thoughts of Poltz's childhood pacifism. Relationships figure in several songs, including the opener's dreamy thoughts of a new love interest, the not-fully-requited affection of "Rains," the catalog of romantic flaws in "Haters' Union," and the post-mortem depression of "Nickel."

The cleverly titled "What Would Ghandi Do?" contemplates religious hypocrisy in the guise of various religious figures' reactions to typical life situations and the fictional "Street Fighter's Face," provides a first-person narrative from a disfigured Marine whose post-Iraq life includes amputated legs, a busted marriage and a mug that scares off strangers. The latter, swaggeringly sung to a rock 'n' roll beat, shows no self-pity or even resignation as the soldier still swears by his military code of Semper Fidelis.

The arrangements grow organically from the songs, intertwining the standard guitar, bass and drums with strings, mellotron, Hammond B3, melodica, pedal steel and more. Billy Harvey's production ranges from singer-songwriter stark to densely layered alternative pop, and Lars Gorlandson's mix is punchy and forceful yet not overpowering, perfectly balanced in service of the songs and performances. This collection of eleven songs capitalizes grandly on Poltz's talents as a songwriter, singer and performer. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2008 redtunictroll at hotmail dot com]