By DJ Monk
Back in 2016, Miles Nielsen And The Rusted Hearts released an album called ‘Heavy Metal’. It have been an highly inappropriate title given that the content veered very much more down the Americana route rather than that of screaming guitar solos and ear-splitting vocals. But, it was also title which reflected the frontman’s own impeccable rock ‘n’ roll pedigree, as he is the son of Cheap Trick legend Rick Nielsen, and spent most of his formative years on the road – and very obviously playing the role of padawan to his father’s Jedi master…
Named after an imaginary friend Nielsen (like so many of us) had as a child, ‘Ohbahoy’ is a suitably retrospective album, expressing the state of the world today as compared to when the singer was growing up, the bright-but-bleary eyed ideals of his rock ‘n’ roll upbringing seemingly helping to fulfil the American dream that freedom and creative expression would pave the way to a brighter world, only for the now adult songwriter to find himself forced to realize how those dreams were left lying in a puddle of piss and wasted gasoline at a roadside diner… At the same time, however, there is a latent sense of optimism that, ultimately, dreams and ideals can be realized and help to make the world a better place, even if it is only through the medium of a beautifully crafted three-minute pop song.
Lyrically and musically, Nielsen very much inhabits the same territory as his father’s own influencers and contemporaries, from Dylan, Lennon and Young to Petty, Ringenberg and Stipe, as well as more latter-day exponents such as Finn, Lanegan and (Ricky) Ross. ‘Ohbahoy’ is an album of mood swings, from moments of complete threnody to ones of utter joyousness, stitched together with a easeful grace that flows gracefully, counterpointing moments of utter melancholia with those of ecstatic celebration with a natural synergy that reflects someone who has learned their craft and applied every lesson delivered to his receptive ears, and soul.
‘Ohbahoy’ is by no means a rock ‘n’ roll album, although it does have its moments in this regard. What it is, however, is a beautiful exemplar of excellent song smithery which appeals to both your darker and lighter moods, and in a suitably contrary way.
- ‘Ohbahoy’ is released next Friday (10 January). You can get your copy HERE.
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