Nick Piunti – Up and Out of It

From the best that came before, simple riffs and power chords. Doesn’t take a genius. I know you’ve seen this before. That’s a lyrical snippet from “Seasick”, the opening track of Nick Piunti’s latest LP entitled Up and Out of It. If you’ve ever wondered how Piunti manages to churn out one radio friendly tune after another, you have your answer – right from the horse’s mouth as they say.

His methodology reminds me of something an art school professor of mine used to say. There’s nothing completely original left. The idea is to pull from the great works of the past, add your own sensibilities thereby creating something that is uniquely you. Puinti has been quite successful at doing exactly that for almost a decade.

Not So Temporary High

Just as with 2022’s Heart Inside Your Head (one of that year’s best power pop albums), Piunti pushes melody driven pop rock to its limits with one well crafted, catchy track after another, borrowing from the past and making it his very own. He did it with 2020’s Downtime (PPN #1 power pop album of that year). And with 2018’s equally pleasing Temporary High. Nick Piunti is consistently excellent.

“Bottle It” follows the theme established by the track before it while exploiting this fan’s fondness for that 80’s pop rock sound – more specifically Elvis Costello and The Attractions. The song is a monster hook front to back. Other very worthwhile tracks include “Mind Reader”, “Long Way Down”, Get the Feeling” and “Rejection letter”. The Complicated Men are Joe Daksiewicz on lead guitar, Kevin Darnall on keyboards, Jeff Hupp on bass, and Ron Vensko on drums. 

Get Nick Piunti’s Latest Here

Nick Piunti’s Up and Out of It is easily one of the best power pop releases of 2024. Another fine album from JEM, you can get it at their website, Nick’s Bandcamp page or Amazon Music.