Americana touched by soul, trad jazz and modern rock

Nielsen’s name may not be immediately familiar, but the Beatles influences in his music hint strongly at his family connection to Cheap Trick guitarist/songwriter Rick Nielsen. The younger Nielsen’s music is less pure-pop than his father’s, with his hoarse-voiced Americana touched by modern rock, soul and trad jazz. Still, his sensibility for melodies and hooks is no doubt informed by embryonic exposure to his dad’s power-pop. It’s been three years since Nielsen’s self-titled debut, with much of that time’s been spent on the road with his band, but having finally holed up in the studio, he’s produced a very thoughtful album. Several of his songs launch from autobiographical details, including juxtaposed images of his grandmother’s childhood in Germany, and the not-so-nice repercussions of his father’s fame. Nielsen sings with first-hand experience of fatality and rusted hearts (“like empty shopping carts”), opportunities, lies and apologies, and his band’s music is a bewitching combination of country, rock and folk, loaded with pop harmonies, and touches of New Orleans and Memphis. The latter makes its strongest appearance in the closing instrumental “Soul Bash,” which sounds favorably like a vintage Stax backing track. Neilsen’s an adventurous musician, with a deft pen and a rasp-edged voice that’s at home in a wide variety of styles. Whether or not you knew his lineage, his music would cause you to pause for a listen. [©2012 hyperbolium dot com]

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