(back to press)

P.J. O’CONNELL
Clang!
Careful
14-song CD
Just what does P.J. have to do to break through the wall of indifference 
that surrounds roots rock not recorded in, say, Nashville or Memphis? 
Record with NRBQ? Well, he already did that. And yet, following his second 
solo release, the sporadically brilliant 2004 LP “Happy Go Lucky,” O’Connell 
still garnered scanty recognition, even for songs as intrinsically incandescent 
as “I Can’t Stop Thinkin’ About You,” “Old Moss Back,” and “Happiness Is Havin’.” 
So, on this follow-up, Mr. O’Connell seems a maybe just a wee bit disgruntled, 
and small wonder. This third outing has songs every bit as brilliant, but it 
also has a consistency that was lacking on “Dream Life,” his first solo 
recording. The opening track, “Can’t Get it Right,” sets the tone: O’Connell 
magnificently grumbles like the Sultans of Swing on a bummer trip. “Walked 
Away” is an evincing, world-weary tune that belongs on everyman’s play list, 
the title track is an insinuating nugget that truly resonates with our times, 
and “Eventide” is a transcendent ballad the likes of which the Eagles would 
have given their eyeteeth to have written. So for God’s sake get wise to 
yourself and go and visit, pjoconnell.com. 

- Francis DiMenno