Rosner, Neal: Kentucky

Chicago born Neal Rosner formed the experimental band McLuhan way back in the early ‘70s recording only one album Anomaly before disbanding roughly a year later. Believe it or not, the players (with four original members including Rosner) still get together and perform. Rosner, who became a radiologist, spent twelve years in Madisonville, Kentucky, and released his second solo album in 2023 titled Kentucky, the follow up to his 1999 release Love Isn’t The Answer.

This is not your typical run of the mill rock album, it is much to eclectic for that. On the album Rosner plays keyboards, percussion, and vocals and is joined by three fine guitarists: Boscoe France, Alonzo Pennington, and James Dillingham. Rosner covers a variety of issues, from politics to history, peeling back the social fabric of America and fleshing out some good tunes in the process beginning with “The Choice�, a mid-tempo eclectic slice of pop rock with fleeting moments of gospel, led by a melodic piano and Rosner’s earthy vocals. Dillingham adds a slow bending guitar solo that gives the tune added flavour. Even further from left center is the off kilter and idiosyncratic “Apocalypse Chicago�, a blending of jazzy artistry and art pop with hints of Vaudevillian charm with herky jerky rhythms, fine vocals, and sinuous guitar work form Pennington. The heartwarming “Les Cirque Des Enfants� looks inside America’s love of the circus through the eyes of a child. An intro of woodwinds and Boscoe France’s noodly guitar wind through the proggy soundscape featuring children’s voices, whimsical instrumentation, and an overall sense of pure innocence. At the other end of the spectrum, we have “Micajah�, written about the infamous Harp brothers, America’s first known serial killers. The song is slightly melancholic with tinges of the old west embedded in its Americana backbone. Pennington adds both guitar and fiddle, giving this an ‘old time’ feel. The light and breezy “Red And Blue� tackles divisive politics in a delightfully catchy way and on the album ending “Western Kentucky Come On Down� the sound is rich and warm with well placed organ and accordion and includes France’s squelching guitar licks.

I found it beneficial to take time with this album as its quirkiness and eclecticism might not immediately click. As the saying goes, persistence pays off, and you will discover plenty of absorbing melodies there for the taking. Recommended.

Track Listing:
1. The Choice (4:48)
2. Apocalypse Chicago (4:57)
3. Les Cirque Des Enfants (7:06)
4. Frances (5:20)
5. I Guess The Engagement Is Off (4:12)
6. Me Myself And I (4:30)
7. Micajah (5:22)
8. Red And Blue (3:48)
9. The Radical (5:22)
10. What Price Would You Pay? (4:18)
11. It Lives In The Attic (3:46)
12. Do You Want To Go To Heaven? (4:14)
13. Avinu Malcenu (3:38)
14. Psalm 19:14 (2:54)
15. What Is God? / Seed Of Abraham (4:58)
16. Western Kentucky Come On Down (6:04)

Added: September 26th 2024
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Artist @ Facebook
Hits: 185
Language: english

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