"Janovitz again has created an album that defies today’s strict but diversified label system while still managing to sound like a throwback at times. Fireworks on TV! combines traces of country-rock, nineties alternative and singer/songwriter with refreshing results. He does it better than most, somehow managing to sound timeless rather than outdated. "

from indieworkshop.com

Bill Janovitz & Crown Victoria
Fireworks on TV!
(Q Division )

www.billjanovitz.com/

The musicians who had joined Janovitz on 2001’s Up Here have remained with the Buffalo Tom frontman to form his new band, Bill Janovitz and Crown Victoria. Now the latter has moved on from the folkier singer/songwriter material of Up Here to release Fireworks on TV! The album has all the hooks of some of the best Buffalo Tom releases such as Big Red Letter Day but draws mostly from the warmer aspects of Janovitz back catalogue.
While still a cult favorite, Buffalo Tom may have never hit big with the nineties alternative rock scene but has remained as one of the best to have flown under the radar. Not one to compromise or follow suit with the times, Janovitz again has created an album that defies today’s strict but diversified label system while still managing to sound like a throwback at times. Fireworks on TV! combines traces of country-rock, nineties alternative and singer/songwriter with refreshing results. He does it better than most, somehow managing to sound timeless rather than outdated.
He still carries with him a lot of the garage rock sound of his former band and the influence of Husker Du and The Replacements are still present, but there are even more slower, more heartfelt ballads included here. Needless to say, long gone is the guitar heavy J. Mascis influence. In its place, Janovitz’ songwriting remains on the surface continuing in his recent trend.
Luckily Janovitz happens to be brilliant at taking the grittier, rougher tones of garage rock and mellowing them out a bit with some great songwriting and melancholy. And Fireworks on TV! is undeniably Bill Janovitz; meaning it’s good. He’s still got one of my favorite and most underrated rock voices. It’s not quite as polished as on Big Red Letter Day and that’s a plus for 2004.
This album could easily blend in with the No Depression crowd despite its small traces of alt country. It has much to offer for music fans across the board. Highlights include the more heartfelt tracks Mary Kay and I Found Out as well as the rockier sing-a-longs Fireworks on TV! and the opening track, One, Two, Three.
Fireworks on TV! proves that Janovitz certainly deserves to keep putting out records.