Smilin’ At The Universe
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
Listen to Smilin’ At The Universe
Previously of the Detroit outfit The Ottomans, these days Jeremy Facknitz is forging an excellent solo career that includes jazz and folk-rock ideas on this 6th solo album with his six piece band.
“Destiny” starts the listen with a very rich and radiant version of thoughtful rock that benefits much from thumping drums and Facknitz’s expressive voice, and “As Of This Morning” follows with a breezy spirit that points towards ‘70s rock amid its cautious, dreamy moments.
“Broad Strokes” arrives at the halfway point and recruits Edie Carey’s powerful voice for the acoustic guitar and violin fueled beauty, while the title track is a playful, quirky rocker that builds into a charged, rugged album highlight.
Arriving close to the end, the intimate “Lay It On Me” recruits plenty of soulful ideas into the textured climate, and “Unsung” exits with a bare, poetic approach of gentle and stirring song craft.
A listen that successfully touches on both modern indie-rock and classic rock moments, Facknitz is joined by Ricky Sweum (sax), David Siegel (violin), Mike Kimlicko (bass), Brad Plesz (drums) and John Standish (keys) for this multifaceted and very enjoyable body of work.
Travels well with: Glen Phillips- There Is So Much Here; Katy Guillen & The Drive- Another One Gained