Peter Baldrachi evokes the usual suspects on his solo debut, summoning up the spirit of ‘60s Brit rockers and ‘70s retro revivalists. As a relative newcomer - he previously recorded occasionally with the Boston band Krushr - Baldrachi seems remarkably assured, thanks in large measure to a power pop instinct that’s unfailingly infectious and unceasingly compelling. In fact, he may be the most commanding singer/drummer since Dave Clark, although his swagger and sneer position him closer in stance to John Lennon and early Elvis Costello.
Solid Ground is more than merely a one-man show; cooing harmonies, relentless riffing and effusive melodies provide a consistent surge throughout. Nevertheless, Baldrachi anchors the undertow with assurance and precision, from the tumultuous stomp of album opener “Solid Ground,” through to the driving pulse of “A Better Place” and the didactic delivery of “Making Sense.” Even so, the band’s at its best when they tow a melodic middle ground, whether it’s the gentle Byrds-like swoon of “What Do You Want from Me” or the gentle sway of “Breakdown.” Mostly, it’s a sense of instant familiarity that pervades the set as a whole, as if Baldrachi has harnessed the classic sounds of the past four decades and repurposed them with his instincts and ambitions.
As its title implies, Solid Ground is a solid beginning. By glimpsing back at the past, Baldrachi can look forward to a future that seems all but assured.
--Lee Zimmerman
