Nick Piunti's Power Pop Heartbeat

Nick Piunti is one of the most talented current practitioners of power pop fueled rock and roll. He and his band, The Complicated Men, enthralled listeners with their last two albums, Downtime and Heart Inside Your Head. Now Nick is back to dazzle power pop fans with his latest single, "Heart Stops Beating," which will be released on March 31. This marvelous song features undeniable hooks, jangly guitars and glorious vocals. It's a delicious slice of rocking power pop heaven that will get stuck in your head, have you singing along, and bopping around the room...and you won't mind one bit. 

"Heart Stops Beating," which predates Piunti's work with The Complicated Men, was originally recorded all the way back in 2015. That session featured Donny Brown on drums, Andy Reed on bass, and Ryan Allen on harmony vocals. Piunti wasn't completely satisfied with his vocal work on the track, which was first released on his album Beyond The Static. Fast forward to 2023: Piunti went back into the studio at Big Sky Recording, along with producer Geoff Michael. He recorded a new lead vocal, and also added some rhythm guitar and harmony vocals to the tune. Feeling the song now sounded much closer to what he originally intended, Piunti decided to release it as a single.

Piunti is a prolific artist, having released six albums in the last 9 years, as well as taking time out to participate in several tribute discs, including 2021's JEM Records Celebrates Brian Wilson. In addition to his stellar work in the rock and roll world, Piunti also owns and operates Sibley Gardens, an Italian steakhouse located in Trenton, Michigan. Three generations of his family help run the business, including his wife and three daughters. Piunti's daughter Megan also designs much of his album artwork, and he says his family is one of the inspirations for his songwriting.

While "Heart Stops Beating," might sound as if it could be a lost track from the heyday of power pop in the 1970s and 1980s, Piunti's top notch songwriting and performing skills make this terrific tune about a heartbreaker of a bad girl uniquely his own. It's a song that looks back while also managing to sound fresh and up to date. This is a fantastic tune that will captivate fans of masterfully crafted pop/rock. I really dig this song, and I can't wait to see what other new music we'll hear from Nick Piunti in the coming months. "Heart Stops Beating" will be released on JEM Records (and digital music outlets) on March 31.

An "Eclectic Avenue" Top Ten

Next month marks the twelfth anniversary of Eclectic Avenue. I thought it would be fun to take a look at the top ten posts on the blog, since its inception in April 2011, based on your views, so here they are:

1. It's A Terrifying Trilogy of Terror: This post from March 2019 was part of a blogathon I participated in, and is all about the 1970s TV classic, Trilogy of Terror: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2019/03/its-terrifying-trilogy-of-terror.html. This is the most visited post on the blog.

2. Vincent's Dazzling "Whatever It Takes": From March 2021 comes a review of Kyle Vincent's album, "Whatever It Takes" is number two: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/06/vincents-dazzling-whatever-it-takes.html.

3. The Bellero Shield: This 2018 review of one of my favorite episodes of the original Outer Limits TV series is number three: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2018/07/robert-culp-rocks-outer-limits.html.

4. Early Elton, a superb tribute band that I've seen a number of times throughout the years, has been featured on the blog several times. This review of a 2017 performance is number four on the list: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/06/early-elton-resurrects-madman.html.

5. Andrew Curry of Curry Cuts Records: Andrew is the fabulous producer behind several excellent tribute albums. We've talked several times over the years, and our 2021 chat about an Andy Gibb tribute album is number 5 on the list: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2021/05/higher-than-mountain-songs-of-andy-gibb.html. 

6. Cinesavant: My look at the work of the supremely talented film writer Cinesavant shows up at number six: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/12/cinesavant-trailers-from-hell-comfort.html.

7. Ken Sharp: At number seven, it's a look at musician and author Ken Sharp's insightful and revealing book on the sessions for John Lennon and Yoko Ono's album, Double Fantasy: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2020/10/an-in-depth-look-at-starting-over.html.

8. James Bond Music: Producer Andrew Curry returns to the top ten with this review of a 007 tribute disc: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-music-of-james-bondis-back.html.

9. Here Comes The Reign Again: And Mr. Curry notches his third appearance in my all time most viewed posts with a review of the stellar 1980s tribute disc, Here Comes The Reign Again: The Second British Invasion: https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2014/09/here-comes-reign-again-second-british.html.

10. Grey DeLisle: Finishing off the Eclectic Avenue top ten is my review of wonderful songstress and voice actor Grey DeLisle's cover of the song "Valentine," written by Murry Hammond. https://jveclectic.blogspot.com/2022/02/grey-delisles-haunting-valentine.html.  

Thanks for reading, and your support of this blog, and my writing, throughout the years. Please use the search function on the right side of the main page to check out some of the other articles from Eclectic Avenue!

A Fabulous "Trick" From The Tearaways

Are you craving a dose of good old fashioned rock and roll? Then you absolutely need to check out And For Our Next Trick, the latest from The Tearaways. The band’s lineup features lead guitarist David Hekhouse, bassist John Finseth, rhythm guitarist Greg Brallier, and Clem Burke, the ubiquitous drummer best known as a member of Blondie and The Empty Hearts. The album features a fantastic set of songs, from straight ahead rockers such like “Come on Jaan” to compelling ballads such as “Emotional Distance” and power pop-styled numbers such as “Easier Done Than Said” and “Married and Single.”

And For Our Next Trick also includes some terrific 1980s infused tunes like the gorgeous “No Love Lost” and the propulsive “Not Good Enough” which recall the alterna-pop/rock sounds of artists like Marshall Crenshaw, The Smithereens, and The Outfield, with a dash of Elvis Costello tossed into the mix. Fans of well-crafted rock/pop will definitely dig the crunchy, guitar-drenched “Goodnight Nurse,” the compelling ballad “Emotional Distance,” and the exuberant “Saturday Everyday.” The disc also features a cool tribute to three iconic drummers on the excellent “Charlie, Keith and Ringo.”

The band’s boundless energy and passion for their music comes through on every track. Their vocals and instrumental work are top notch, and the guest appearances by Benmont Tench, of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers fame, on keyboards, and Steven McCarthy from The Jayhawks and The Long Ryders, on pedal steel guitar, enhance the expert musicianship on the disc. It’s no surprise that the album has strong echoes of classic power pop and 1980s alternative rock, as the record was produced by the one and only Ed Stasium, who’s worked with everyone from The Smithereens, Hoodoo Gurus and The Ramones to Living Colour and Talking Heads.

And For Our Next Trick will be like manna from heaven for devotees of The Tearaways’ marvelous melange of rock, power pop, and alternative sounds. If you’re not already a fan of the band and their superlative music, this album will turn you into a believer. These dazzling, hook-filled tunes will get stuck in your head, and you’ll most certainly be adding this remarkable record to your regular music rotation. And For Our Next Trick is now available from the UK based label Dirty Water Records. Here’s a link to the video for “Saturday Everyday,” the album's first single: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0uSC4GntwU.