From stankygroove.com
Bill Janovitz
Fireworks on TV!
(Q Division)
Bill Janovitz, ex-leader of Buffalo Tom, released Fireworks on TV to little fanfare in September 2004. Recorded a few years ago with Crown Victoria, Fireworks on TV has plenty of explosions to keep any classic rock fan eagerly anticipating the next blast. I’ve been listening to this CD for the past few months, and I keep coming back to it like Exile on Main Street . The guitars are loose and the lyrics speak of a carefree time before responsibilities.
The album kicks off with the most obvious single, “One Two Three.”
It’s a good start, but there are some gems hiding in the latter part of
the disc. “My Radio” drops like a rock classic from the Born to
Run sessions. “You’re my green light, you’re my red light,
but you’re fading fast, I know,” he sings. The mix of car imagery
with radio nostalgia makes a 1950’s blend that sounds great.
He slows it down on the third track, singing gently over his Telecaster. The
band joins him for the second verse with crashing drums and bass guitar. “Get
in the car, we’ll drive away,” he speaks to the protagonist, Mary
Kay.
The title track stands out on the album, because it slowly builds up to a great
chorus. He has a female back-up singer that adds a Sheryl Crow-like accompaniment,
which is equally pleasant as subtle. The Hammond organ arrives late in the song,
but delivers on its warm promise that most of today’s radio rock does
not have. The Crown Victorias add texture like the Allman Brothers or Taj Mahal.
It’s not until “Believe” do we get a real glimpse of Janovitz’s
world view and a little self-reflection. He sings “Like a black eyed crow
in the dirty wet snow / You’re adulthood days have just begun / Will someone
please sit and talk to me / I’m disappointed in the world today.”
The songs bind to each other, feeling like a vinyl album. Janovitz consistently
delivers the hits for fifteen tracks. He and Crown Victoria write traditional
rock songs, reminiscient of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Like another Boston
resident, Peter Wolf, his music only appeals to a fading few. Bill's not touring
on this release, so go buy a copy and support one of Boston’s hidden jewels.
By Alan Haworth