Published on Jan 28, 2015
Ever thought cerebral palsy would stop someone from playing guitar? Then you haven’t met Mike Nagoda. His eight-song debut Parliament is a blues-rock concept disc with some solid double slide guitar work and a boozy, cheerful atmosphere that belies the story of a post-apocalyptic Canada.
YouTube has clips of Nagoda playing “Parliament Got Bombed” for those wishing to see the man in action. The disc, Parliament, is a mashup of blues styles with hints of rock, bluegrass, and even jazz thrown in. Because this genre has been mined endlessly, it’s difficult to break new ground, and so while Nagoda doesn’t have a lot new to say, he still brings energy and ambition to the music.
“Running Man” and “Radio Waves” are smoky highlights, the slide guitar, jazz horns, and nightclub-lounge feel evoking dirty cocktails and imminent danger. “Redemptor Aquilonis” starts with a front-porch slide guitar solo before bringing in the band, harmonicas, and slurred vocals acting as counterpoints to the keyboard and background guitar. “In Memoria” isn’t bad either, the loudest and most ferocious cut here. It is here and on “Parliament Got Bombed (Reprise)” that the music actually feels apocalyptic as per the theme.
Nagoda’s raspy, slurred voice takes some getting used to, but it’s a voice perfectly suited for the blues, save for the annoying opening track “The Victor’s Hymn,” which is the worst song here and doesn’t bode well for the rest of the project. Past that one, the other songs are pretty good, proof that organic music and real instruments will always evoke more emotion and passion than current trends. Parliament is worth a look if you’re in the neighborhood and a fan of the blues.