MUSIC, ART, AND MUSINGS FROM THE MIND OF
Rich Restaino
88s and Heartaches: a solo piano retrospective Streaming Now
“I’m a sucker for piano only albums. There is something stripped-down and reduced to essentials about a guy tickling the keys with just his voice for contrast. On Rich Restaino’s new record 88s and Heartaches: A Solo Piano Retrospective he goes out on solo piano limb and makes it work. “Drunk on the Company Dime” draws out the rich shades that only a piano can provide with lyrics that perfectly drape the tune.” –Dennis Pilon, Poprock Record
Reviews
Poprock Record
Few artist pressers contain quotes from Kurt Vonnegut but Rich Restaino’s no ‘strap on a guitar and go’ performer. There’s lyrical depth in the contributions to his recent EP Mostly We Lie. The title track calls out the short game many are playing, too often going for self-interest in the here and now. Then “Man Has Shit For Brains” has a tin pan alley kind of rough melody and wisdom. Restaino doesn’t paint a pretty picture of contemporary manhood here… This is a kind of well-crafted protest music from a man who clearly cares, despite his biting critique.
I Don’t Hear a Single
These six songs are very varied and each works beautifully in very different areas. Electric, but restrained. Man Has Shit For Brains is incredibly Randy Newman, yet Drunk Punk In The Afternoon is top notch 80s Indie, almost IRS.
Most We Lie gets more West Coast, a little Petty-esque at times with a cracking riff to accompany it. Yet, Every Cliche You’ve Ever Hears is more Americana. Life Is Losers is much more Pop, but Don’t Fall Asleep On Me Just Yet is a Jazz shuffle. Restaino offers up great variety and depth and an investigation into his back catalogue is highly recommended.
Powerpopaholic
Finally Rich Restaino gives us a spooky sounding “Ear Worm!” as part of his Mixtape.
Poprock Record
“You can dip in just about anywhere with Rich Restaino’s catalogue and find yourself a real gem. His latest EP Mixtape has got a smoking instrumental called “Earworm.” Such wicked guitar tones on both the tasty lead licks and chugging rhythm work…
Big Western Flavor
I recognized Restaino from the first as a disciplined songwriter whose central late-70’s influences gave him an unfashionable, two-level approach: big, wide melodies, simple rock changes, and sugary vocal hooks for people listening on AM radio through crackling car speakers; unfathomable depths of backing vocals and additional instrumentation for those who like to spin LP’s with headphones on. Most people don’t listen to records any longer, and hardly anybody music on AM radio, so there’s an appealingly perverse charm to the style.
