John Hiatt - Mystic Pinball

  by Lisa Torem

published: 13 / 9 / 2012

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Review

Ever since John Hiatt earned success with ‘Bring the Family’, his dynamic 1987 album, he has become one of America’s most prolific songwriters, whose clever songs have been widely covered by other songsmiths such as Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Nick Lowe and Rosanne Cash. He has also written for film and toured with the likes of Lyle Lovett. On his latest album, ‘Mystic Pinball’, this no-nonsense music maker proves himself again as a great observer of humanity. To help tell his one-of-a kind stories are the Combo, consisting of Doug Lancio on electric guitar, dobro and mandolin; Kenneth Blevins on drums, and Patrick O’Hearn on bass. Producer Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa) comes back for another round, and does his best to underscore Hiatt’s distinct timber and pervasive lyrics. The well-paced opener, ‘We’re Alright Now,’ which kicks off this dazzling album, has a funky beat and an Americana swagger. Hiatt gets straight to the point: “lot of heavy lifting been done on our behalf,” but he stays in the romance game anyway. ‘Bite Marks’ features electric, dynamite guitar and a melodic line that fully complements Hiatt’s grizzly voice, while making several powerhouse statements: “You sink ‘em in and take a chunk of my soul” – “your idea of fun is drawing blood.” This scorned man goes for the jugular and then some more. ‘It All Comes Back Someday’ is pure and bittersweet - “It all comes back to the holes and the cracks where you thought you let it slip away.” ‘Wood Chipper’ is about a guy who goes fishing and finds peril. The gripping narrative is enhanced by a Duane Eddy-esque guitar growl. The sequencing is great on the album. Now that we’ve experienced the last song’s detailed story, we’re ready to sit back, crack open a Bud Lite and sing along to ‘My Business,’ a choppy, bluesy free-for-all, in which Hiatt performs a handsome Howlin’ Wolf tribute. The gentle, albeit moving ‘I Just Don’t Know What to Say,’ is packed with heartache and remorse: “covered in darkness, but I want to see,” he pines. “I think fast enough, but not fast enough for you…” The ache runs through every verse. ‘I Know How To Lose You’ is also touching and self-deprecating, but completely human. ‘You’re All the Reason I Need’ is the only one, which relies too heavily on clichés, but it still carries an undeniable charm. ‘One of Them Damn Days’ is vintage Hiatt: splashing imaginative images and bright solo work over a steady rhythm, with a witty touch of irony. The first verse of ‘No Wicked Grin’ follows an acoustic intro. which Hiatt weaves elegantly in and out of like an imperial wizard. Though the competition is fierce here, it stands as one of the simplest, but loveliest ballads on the album. ‘Give It Up’ spills over with philosophy and affection. On this penultimate ballad, the backing vocals and pedal steel are a great addition and who would argue that “Give it up before we’re crying in someone’s grave” is not a stand out line? ‘Blues Can’t Even Find Me’ conveys a brilliant desperation with it lyric, “Can’t see the big picture anymore if there’s even one to view.” This superb song is just one more that examines life, love and failure through John Hiatt’s eye-of-the needle clarity.

Track Listing:-

1 We're Alright Now
2 Bite Marks
3 It All Comes Back Someday
4 Wood Chipper
5 My Business
6 I Just Don't Know What To Say
7 I Know How To Lose You
8 You're All The Reason I Need
9 One Of Them Damn Days
10 No Wicked Grin
11 Give It Up
12 Blues Can't Even Find Me

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/JohnHiatt/
http://www.johnhiatt.com/
https://twitter.com/johnhiattmusic
https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnHiatt

Label Links:-

http://newwestrecords.com/
https://www.facebook.com/newwestrecord
https://plus.google.com/+NewWestRecord
https://twitter.com/newwestrecords
http://newwestrecords.tumblr.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/NewWestRe