Given the piecemeal nature of “Passion,” the band’s website says that their hope going into this new release was to create an album that worked as a whole, “a grand piece,” rather than as a mere collection of songs. And while each of the ten songs here on “ODP” tells a very different, disconnected story, there is a sense that the band has indeed made another major musical statement that feels cohesive as a complete work. “Unpleasant Breakfast” has a funky vibe, and works as an entire rock opera in its compact 5 minutes with several musical sections to tell the tale, concluding in the brief epilogue: “This coffee’s cold, the toast is gross/I know longer see the romance in these ghosts.”
Each song has a certain similarity built in due to Finn’s literate, word-heavy, spoken as often as sung, lyrical narratives with each one feeling like a chapter late in some modern noir novel about unrequited desire, groupies, touring musicians, and traveling salesmen, drugs and failed best intentions, misunderstandings and consistent failures to understand what’s at stake in time to make a difference. It’s not a cheerful lot, to say the least, but Finn’s clever way with words and the band’s intention to make these stories work as songs that lift and rock gives even the saddest of sad sack situations feel like a fun place to visit for four minutes or so.
Finn’s long love affair with Bruce Springsteen’s classic story songs continues to shine through here and there, but guitarists Tad Kubler and Steve Selvidge sound determined to cut against the grain with big power chord classic rock hooks and on tracks like “The Prior Procedure” bring the intensity of a cross-cut saw to their piercing soloing, while consistently pushing Finn’s choruses to speed up to anthemic proportions. Franz Nicolay’s piano and keyboards further augment and expand the band’s sound, with drummer Bobby Drake and bassist Galin Polivka locking into a solid groove that keeps things rocking steady. Kaufman, who also produced Finn’s latest solo albums, brings some horns and brass in here and there as well, breathing in some of that classic, big band rock feel.
There’s little chance of attracting an audience that’s not already inclined to dig Finn’s vocal presence and lengthy narratives, that’s a given. But Open Door Policy delivers The Hold Steady clicking as a unit and delivering the goods in a way sure to appeal to long-time fans and some who’ve yet to encounter them. This is a fine collection of rockers, which again and again, put this band’s best foot forward.
Brian Q. Newcomb
For more of Brian Q. Newcomb’s music reviews, check out The Fire Note
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Thrashing Thru the Passion (The Hold Steady) – music review
- Fireworks or Lightning (Finn’s Motel) – music review
- Lightsleeper (Liam & Neil Finn) – music review
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