Marc Platt's Stellar "The Runaway Train"

I always look forward to checking out new music from Marc Platt, a talented singer-songwriter who's been writing and performing outstanding songs for many years now, both as a member of the power pop band The Real Impossibles, and as a solo artist, on albums like That Midlife Thing and The Golden Ticket. His latest release, The Runaway Train, is another top-notch collection of well-crafted folk-rock tunes, filled with an emotional resonance that hits you right in the center of your soul. That's certainly not true of most of what passes for pop/rock music these days, but Platt always wears his heart on his sleeve, and I mean that as a compliment.

Just take a listen to evocative tracks like the heartfelt "AM Radio," where he reminisces about listening to music in the car with his Mom, or the powerful "The Way It Goes" in which he examines the roads traveled in his (and our) lives, and perhaps laments the ones he (and we) haven't taken. Platt's insightful and sometimes heart-wrenching look at the ups and downs of love and relationships is a recurring theme in his music, and it's showcased on The Runaway Train via terrific songs like "The Score," "See You Again," and "Never Look Back."

The Runaway Train also includes another Platt trademark, some cool 1960s pop-infused tunes, including the title track and "Like a Time Bomb." Platt successfully captures the essence of the classic rock, pop and folk sound, while still giving the music his own personal spin. Other standouts on the album include the sardonic "Thoughts and Prayers," and the reflective "My Love Waits," and "The Way It Goes." One of my favorites on an a record filled with high points is the lovely "New Year's Bells," a tune that should be an instant addition to your holiday tunes playlist.

The instrumental work and production on the The Runaway Train (all superbly handled by Platt) is excellent, as usual. The album is another magnificent jewel in Marc Platt's ouevre. I urge you to check it out, and to take a deep dive into the rest of his discography. You can find the album at bandcamp by following this link: https://marcplatt.bandcamp.com/album/runaway-train. Platt also does some really fine work with his company Radio Candy, helping indie artists get their music out there and heard on internet radio. You can find out more about that by following this link: https://radiocandyradio.com/.