One To Keep
Franz Nicolay, the quirky keyboardist/accordion player of The Hold Steady and punk cabaret collective Word/Inferno Friendship Society launches his new solo EP this month. He does have more than a little help from his friends, with the first song, a Jonathan Richman cover, ‘New England’ opening with a debate between Franz and the Dresden Dolls about their hometowns in New England, before they launch into a vibrant offbeat ditty about the area, which has the thick harmonies of a barber’s shop quartet but with more punk spirit and plenty of cheer. Mad but brilliant, who else would open a new release with a song that includes the lyrics, “dum-de, dum-de-dum day, New England.”
‘The Ballad of Hollis Wadsworth Mason Jr’ has the passion, drive and title of a Springsteen epic, but done in Franz’s style it’s an accordion that our hero brandishes as he defends “what’s right”. Perfectly executed and brilliantly imagined, it’s a charismatic, bold narrative. ‘When the War Came’ adds another string to Franz’s bow, showing off an emotional depth and vocals that tug on the heartstrings. The minimal rippling guitar backing lends the trembling lyrical tale the kind of earnest reverence that you’d expect when watching a musical, rather than listening to a CD. ‘I Just Want To Love’ finishes the EP on a solemn and tender note, “I just want to love” gush the breathy vocals in this pained love song.
Anyone who has admired Franz’s work in other bands will probably be pleasantly surprised by the solo material displayed here. There’s a warm, honest and delightful edge to all of Franz’s material that makes it easy to love.