Mike Polizze – Long Lost Solace Find – Paradise Of Bachelors
Mike Polizze creates a solo LP, Long Lost Solace Find. Mike is in the Philly music scene and the bands Birds of Maya and Purling Hiss. Long Lost Solace Find is almost an acoustic record in which Kurt Vile lends a collaborative hand. Check out this LP and many others here http://www.paradiseofbachelors.com/
Long Lost Solace Find starts with “Bainmarie”. Although this song is in the recent catalogue of Polizze and Vile, the vocal melody is a sweet but lonesome one that triggers musical deja vu in me. I feel like I’ ve heard the chords and vocals but I cannot place where. Kurt and Mike take turns singing solo and harmonizing. Timeless. I slip out of 2020 and just get to go into the record.
Secondly, another strong track “Revelation”. Upon reading Mike’s published, handwritten notes this song is the impetus that brought K.V. aboard. As a big fan of Kurt, I’m glad he was on board for just a few more than “Revelation”.
“Cheewawa” was covered earlier in my blog. When Mike released the single, I blogged the review in a hurry. You can read all about the song and watch the video here https://meatsheetfanzine.com/mike-polizze-cheewawa-kurt-vile/
“Cheewawa” is the dreamiest song to grace this LP. This one just floats even though the chord progression is firmly rooted in the Philadelphia parks’ soils.
By now, hopefully you’re already picking up all the instrumentation that flirts with spontaneity and carefully constructed song structure. It seems to be a balance that Mike Polizze handles well throughout his solace find.
Onward to “Wishing Well”. A lavishly picked folk piece that captures the sunny, crisp, fresh linen feel of someone who has hope. Turning intention and wishes into tangible things. The harmonic at about 2:15 justs ties the song together nicely. Impeccable tone and timing. The picking continues, vocals drop off and the dueling instruments take you home.
“Eyes Reach Across” is finely crafted American songwriting. Playful, nimble, picking mixes with strumming that echoes some of my trusted songwiters. Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Dan Fogelberg, Jim Croce, and others who pick, strum, and know how to make chords resonate through time. I get the blues reading the lyrics ” When we grow up and drift away , I’m watching you and losing you.”
It’s the kind of blues from a sadness you may have moved on with but the sting is all too memorable.
“Do Do Do” is an earworm waiting to happen. I am not a fan of the higher register vocal harmonization but I’ll muscle through because Long Lost Solace Find offers other untold rewards for those who listen.
Next , sweet redemption is found. “Edge of Time” is a soother that could, like “Bainmarie” take you out of time and space. The cooing vocals in the background tilt their cap to “Sympathy For The Devil” (and many more rock songs) to etch their backing vocals into the psyche. I might add I usually don’t favor whistle tracks. In fact a song that has whistling usually makes me want to make fun of the song because I’m a dick. However “Edge of Time” somehow makes the whistle work.
“Rock On A Feather” brings the tempo up but keeps the melodies flowing. Backcountry road rambling feel that could be almost Anywhere USA.
“D modal” is alternate picking paradise and instrumental number. If “Rock On A Feather” is a country road ride, “D modal” is a walk in the woods along that same road in which you stop and play in the “crik ” (creek).
“Sit Down” is a multi faceted mini workhorse. Here is why. From the chug chug chug intro to the end, the arrangement has sonic expanse and depth not easily achieved with just two players or overdubs. It is unforced but profound. The other instrument(s)… I guess Marxophone ? You get the cool brightness of guitar strings with the warm vintage sounds as they pluck along.
“Marbles” is a song about cracking up, going mad, bonkers, etc. Artists who seek the deeper expression should be able to relate to the lyrical content. This song, lyrically, is the most fun. I’m not poking fun at anyone struggling with mental health. I can relate to it personally and the freedom to go a little off the deep end leaves you with no walls to hold you back. Take a gander at this line “Twisting my melon, And it’s hurting my custard, and it’s scrambling my brains”
Lastly a gorgeous track , “Vertigo” .. sounds like steel string honey. Dizzy Polizze, maybe, but still able to bring the record to a melancholy, yet triumphant close.
Mike Polizze Long Lost Solace Find is an organic, acoustic experience. Although some moments are wistful, it is not dirge like, it pulls me in and I want to hear more about the songs which feel like cathartic short stories. The brighter songs feel like celebrations of Mike and Kurt’s musical heroes. Congrats, grab the vinyl and a cold Kenzo and toast to music, we all can agree and throw back some suds to that, right?