If you've been paying attention, by now you should be quite familiar with Steve Poltz, the obscenely talented musician/songwriter whose fingerstyle guitar playing and titanic body of work have cemented his place in US/Canadian musical history.
Steve Poltz is a classically trained award winning guitarist. Think you know the type? Think again. He's also the founder of San Diego's hallowed folk rock legends, The Rugburns, who sold out festivals and clubs for years on the strength of songs about cannibals and auto repair shops.
Getting a little interested? He is the also co-writer of "You Were Meant for Me," which, as performed by his good friend Jewel, was the longest running song on the Billboard 100. And then there are his legendary live shows. At any given time on planet earth, someone is telling someone else a story about seeing Steve Poltz live.
With a music career spanning three decades, a spacious catalogue of albums beneath him and the auspicious age of 50 approaching, Steve threw down his own gauntlet and recorded the greatest album of his wild and storied life - "Dreamhouse."
Of course, with Poltz, there is no point in doing anything easily. So rather than dig into his sunny home in San Diego to record his new album, he absconded to his birthplace of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada with Canadian award-winning songwriter, producer, and performer Joel Plaskett.
Joel approached "Dreamhouse" with a scary reverence for both Steve's trademark acoustic melodies and warm, vintage recording practices that have defined all great classic albums. Together they carefully wove a tapestry of lush, quirky arrangements, stark acoustic ballads and golden waves of vocal harmonies that would melt the crazy out of Phil Spector.
"Digging for Icicles" is quintessential Poltz - a song originally written about a wintry traffic accident emerges as a luscious ballad full of hope. That's Poltz; you think you know where he's going, and next thing you know, tragedy is triumph, lost is found, and lemon is lime. You will have to listen for yourself to find out how it all ends but leave some time for yourself because the next song will bring your heart to a glorious standstill. "I Love What You've Done With this Place," showcases his considerable talent for infectious songwriting. With melodious hooks and achingly sweet lyrics, this song is poised for a long and storied career as a mix tape and playlist staple. And "License Plate Eyes" is the ultimate Sunday morning serenade, with bright, Beatles-esque strings washing over the catchy fingerstyle hooks that have made Poltz a legend among guitar players across the globe.
Recorded analog on 16 track 2 inch tape, this album is Steve's finest offering to date. With a vintage Seventies-era FM feel, "Dreamhouse" captures Poltz at a creative and emotional peak. It is at once infectious, easy, haunting and hopeful. It is audio cabernet- soothing, reflective and just a little bit frisky. Lifelong fans will find themselves rushing to say, "I told you so!" to the legions of new fans this record should - if there's any justice - attract. To be honest, the new fans will probably be too into the album to care what the old fans think anyway.
Released on the same day he reached the half-century mark, "Dreamhouse" is a masterpiece from top-to-bottom. One listen and you cannot help but move it into heavy rotation on your iPod, CD player and, yes, record player because the album will be available on vinyl as well. This album is the sound of sunny days, long car rides, ice cream melting, hands being held and warm winds caressing your face. Poltz isn't back because he never left. He just keeps on going and making the world a little warmer, one song, one fan, at a time.