Nick Piunti's third LP with The Complicated Men continues one of the most remarkable hot streaks in the recent history of power pop music. Up and Out of It, out today on JEM Records, is Piunti's seventh album since 2014. None of these albums have been any less than great, and Up and Out of It is almost certainly the best of the lot. Remarkably, Piunti has managed to maintain this incredible quality of music without significantly changing his approach to songwriting. He writes timelessly melodic pop-rock songs with thoughtful, deeply personal lyrics, and he has never found the need to move off of that. Working with the exceptionally talented Complicated Men (Joe Daksiewicz on guitar, Jeff Hupp on bass, Kevin Darnall on keyboards, and Ron Vensko on drums), he is one of power pop's true master craftsmen. Producer Geoff Michael does his usual bang-up job of highlighting the essence of Piunti and The Complicated Men's music: that everything from the vocals to the guitars to the songs themselves radiate melody in abundance. These songs sound silky smooth and beautifully polished yet still plenty powerful — balancing all of that finesse with the muscularity of a proper rock band.
Piunti may not have invented the idea of power pop for grown-ups, but no songwriter realizes it more fully. While some artists his age write songs as if the last 40 years never happened, he uses his life experience as subject matter for relatable songs about the human condition. The songs comprising Up and Out of It are largely autobiographical, and it just seems like Piunti's well of inspiration never runs dry. He has plenty to say, and he has hooks all day. The pre-album single "Bottle It" is one of those songs that instantly works its way into your soul. It was first released in May of this year. Yet hearing it on the album now, I feel like this song has been part of my life forever. Opening track "Seasick" is quintessential Nick Piunti and The Complicated Men. It's elegant and easy on the ears yet also full of passion and truth. Something that Piunti is especially great at is building a song towards a chorus where he hits these marvelous high notes in perfect harmony with melodies that just seem to explode from your speakers. He does that again here, and it's true pop bliss. Elsewhere, songs like "Mind Reader" (co-written with Daksiewicz) and "Eyelids" define perfect guitar pop. "Rejection Letter" is power pop straight out of the textbook. "Long Way Down" is a well-crafted, genuinely great ballad. "Above Water" is the sort of quality straight-up rock song that you rarely hear these days.
Nick Piunti and The Complicated Men may eventually stop turning out brilliant albums with such frequency and consistency. But until they do, I will continue to enjoy this remarkable run they're on. For Piunti, progression doesn't have to mean getting away from what he does so well. Instead it means refining his craft and making guitar pop music of the absolute finest quality. I love, for example, that he has turned the band's guitar solos over to Daksiewicz — not because he can't play them himself but rather because he recognizes that Daksiewicz is a great melodic player. Up and Out of It embodies pure class in pop music. Of course Michael gives these songs the sparkling production they deserve, but none of that is possible without the stellar musicianship, superb singing, and brilliant songwriting that are this band's bread and butter. Up and Out of It is one of the year's best albums, and that was as certain as death & taxes.
