For years I had a cursory awareness of Willie Nile. He made some records in the 80's that I remembered hearing but I was never "a fan" in that I kept up with him as time passed. Every 10 years or so you would see a review of an album or show but the output was never what you would call consistent. For me things changed with the release of 2005's "Streets of New York". Essentially a love letter to NYC, this album captured the city in a way no other had. Frankly it was absolutely brilliant.
2010 saw the "release" of "The Innocent Ones" in Europe. The album will see its domestic release on November 22nd here in the US. "The Innocent Ones" is another dose of superior songwriting that is somewhere between Bob Dylan and The Clash. Often times deceiving in its folk approach, the topics and delivery are more often CBGB's than The Bitter End.
There is some really great rock music on this album. Willie Nile tackles some of the realities of the past couple of years and there isn't always a happy ending.
“This album,” he says, “includes a number of songs dedicated to the downtrodden, the forgotten, the outcasts, the hopeless — the innocent ones. It deals with some heavy issues here and there, but at the same time I think it’s an upbeat, feel-good record. I wanted it to be light on its feet and fun to listen to, and it’s all that.”
"Singin' Bell", "The Innocent Ones" and "Rich and Broken" are among his best. Folks this is a true believer in the power of rock & roll. Check this one out and grab Streets of New York while you are at it. You won't be disappointed. No question this gets the OldRockr1 Seal of Approval.
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