SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JOE GITTLEMAN – HOLD UP

JOE GITTLEMAN
HOLD UP
BAD TIME RECORDS

After many years being the backbone of many bands on the ska scene, not least the ‘Bass Fiddleman’ of the sadly-missed Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Joe Gittleman takes a step forward into the limelight himself. He did already take a turn in the spotlight, previously releasing a well-received split with New Orleans beat-masters Bad Operation last year. This, however, is Gittleman unchained, releasing a solo album after 30+ years in the music business.

There’s a poppy feel to both “Rafters” and “Glimmer” that open the album and which give a fun introduction to what we’re hearing. Later tracks on the album, like “There or Thereabouts”, lean more into the obvious reggae influences.

It benefits from its summer release, given the chilled-out reggae and fun ska feeling emanating from the record. “Plastered In The Rafters” is both a good opener and a good barometer for the album in general, with prominent horns and a gentle bassline harkening back to the poppier moments of the Bosstones, not hurt by Gittleman almost channeling former bandmate Dicky Barrett in his vocal delivery at times.

There are times when something really special lurks under the bonnet of the album, but it never quite catches fire. While there are no bad songs, it gets a little samey over its runtime, and lacks a singalong hit. It’s a solid start for Gittleman as a solo artist if that’s the direction he continues to take, but it’s not an earth-shattering debut.

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