Splitsville

Mobtown

Big Stir Records

This band from Baltimore doesn’t evoke the Randy Newman song of the city name and its dark themes of down and out people. Splitsville celebrates their town, with very good, mature pop/rock.

While the band is not political per se, there is commentary here, with some great piano playing, that brings to mind Philly band Low Cut Connie’s current single “Living In The USA.”

The album starts with a bang with “Cold Open,” then barrels musically down I-95 with songs like “A Glorious Lie,” “Southern Hospitality,” “I Hate Going to Hutzler’s,” and ending at “Penn Station.” Songs like “Fallsway,” with its Steely Dan style piano playing, provide rest stops.

So if you feel discouraged by the current political climate, try this for a pick me up, or if you just want to rock out. You won’t go wrong with this great album either way.

Andrea Weiss