Above Sirens – Alex Nackman (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

Above Sirens has been out in the world before — several years ago in fact — but as a digital-only release. But given that it has now been remastered and re-cut, by none other than Scott Hull, the man known for adding the final polish and appropriate sheen to the likes of Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer, why wouldn’t you want to give it another day in the sun? And so, now found in a more luxurious package and with a more decisive, punchy sound quality, it is back to beguile you.

Alex Nackman has a brilliant knack for balancing the qualities of kick-ass rock with the more silky, seductive world of electronic pop. The result is an album that is built on the urge and energy of the former and the poise and polish of the latter, songs that are both intense and infectious, anthemic and accessible.

If the opener, “Telephone,” is an excellent demonstration of just how to do this, then “In the Right Place,” which follows, takes this idea to more explosive heights. It roars and races, but at the same time, those electronic washes smooth the rougher edges perfectly, making the song big enough for the rock and roll fraternity and yet able to make easy mileage in a chart-bound direction.

“10,000 Feet” shows that he is just as adept with the more balladic pop song, able to weave emotive understatement as readily as he can fire off the fist-in-the-air sonic beast and “Eyes On You” takes a cool rock-infused riff and turns it into something of a mainstream crossover. In fact, there is a small motif that briefly surfaces that reminds me of the Don Henley classic, “Boys of Summer,” and that makes for the perfect reference point for how, like the Eagles man’s solo career, Nackman bridges the same sonic realms, making pop music intriguing and rock music clever.

When we talk about artists with broad appeal, we mean those who can tick enough boxes across a range of sounds, styles, scenes, and genres without compromising the quality of their music, and that is something that Alex Nackman is a master of.

Definitely one to watch.