Nick Piunti & The Complicated Men

Up and Out of It

Jem Records

These songs could be anthems about relationships, the music biz, or conformity, all set to killer rock in the style of Fountains of Wayne. Anthems are always needed, if for no other reason than to have songs to pump your fists to.

The lyrics are meaningful, like on “Bottle It,” about the deadness of modern life, and the self-explanatory “Rejection Letter,” which also makes fun of it, rather than feeling sorry for oneself. “Mind Reader” explains itself too, as in “you think you do, but you don’t.”

There is a lot of power to the music, the guitars cranked to 11 and the synths kept to a minimum, but it's always melodic. The anger and incredulous tone are welcome.

Why isn’t this kind of music making a killing on the mainstream charts, being the biggest music in the world? The only way this is going to change is if it’s bought. So if you want to kick these changes into gear, get this one, for good powerful music and smart lyrics that never disappoint.

Andrea Weiss