Advertisement

Album reviews Music

Steve Poltz – Noineen Noiny Noin

STEVE POLTZ plays C’est What August 23. See listing. Rating: NNNN


The title of Nova Scotia/southern California singer/songwriter (and former Jewel collaborator) Steve Poltz’s 13th album may look a bit ridiculous, but it’s a nod to the year he first played Australia, appropriate given that the album was recorded in Perth.

It’s a generous package – 12 songs plus a folkier bonus disc – and a fun, fully produced ride complete with big drums, organ, slide guitar, tenor guitar and a touch of strings and horns. In his typical fashion, Poltz shocks a bit while he entertains, conjuring up story songs about travel and transvestites. (Trash is a fictional tale told from the perspective of a cross-dresser killed by Johnny Cash.)

But Poltz’s lyrics centre on his emotional life – crying and not crying, the borderline between sanity and insanity – and he doesn’t lose his audience along the way. An impressive feat.

Top track: Salt Suit

Advertisement

Exclusive content and events straight to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By signing up, I agree to receive emails from Now Toronto and to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Recently Posted