Solid Ground

Release Date: Dec. 19, 2006

The Boston Globe by Jonathan Perry (Nov. 2, 2007)

“Talk about a transformation. After manning the skins for Boston’s Krushr, a hard-rock outfit that drew comparisons to everybody from Nirvana to Queens of the Stone Age, drummer-turned-singer-songwriter Peter Baldrachi turned down the volume and turned up the melody. The result is his solo debut, “Solid Ground,” whose wistful charm and warmly ragged pop hooks owe far more to Paul Westerberg than Kurt Cobain. The ground Baldrachi’s standing on these days may not be as rock hard, but it’s a lovely landscape with a gorgeous view.”

The Big Takeover by Mark Suppanz (Issue No. 60 – 2007)

“Baldrachi, drummer for Krushr – a band that released a self-titled EP in 2003 – proved on this debut LP that going solo was a wise decision.  He’s composed a superb and crackling power-pop LP that overflows with catchy melodies and exquisite harmonies.  It compares favorably to artists like The Posies, Matthew Sweet, Cosmic Rough Riders (and Daniel Wylie’s solo records), and yes, even Big Star.  Perhaps it’s not so unexpected when one considers the influences listed on his MySpace page.  The style is in his blood.  Baldrachi mans the skins and compiles a splendid collection of backing players including colorful guitarist Gary Rand and gorgeous vocalist Alice Austin.  Each expertly crafted song resonates right down to the sighing, swooning choruses on the beautiful, Teenage Fanclub – like closer “What Do You Want From Me.”

Amplifier Magazine by Lee Zimmerman (Dec. 2007)

“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.”

Absolute Power Pop Blog (Jan. 2007)

“Solid Ground, from Boston’s Peter Baldrachi, grabs you right from the get-go with the staccato guitar riff and pure power pop chorus of the title track, and doesn’t let you go until it’s over. “A Better Place” and “Breakdown” follow with more of the same, and you’ll probably already have given your credit card info to CD Baby by the time the 2-minute sample ends. But if you haven’t, the midtempo “You’re Gonna Miss Me Someday” probably will get you to do so. Other standouts include “Wait In Vain” (which reminds me of the great Aussie band The Chevelles), the Smithereensesque “Round and Round”, “Start It Up Again” (I’m hearing some Eugene Edwards there), “Making Sense of Nothing” (which borrows the melody from Paul Westerberg’s “Silent Film Star”), the jangly “(Are You Sure) That We Belong” and “What Do You Want From Me?” which has a Teenage Fanclub feel to it. Wait – I just listed every track on the disc. Gee, I guess they’re all standouts. This is really a quintessential power pop album; if you were to look up “power pop” in the dictionary, there ought to be a picture of this disc staring you back in the face.”

Indiepages.com (Nov. 2007)

“I’m not sure, but I really have to wonder if this is the first power pop record where the main songwriter was the drummer. It’s not that I’m surprised that he sings lead while drumming (as that’s not incredibly rare), but that he actually wrote all of the music on this record (save one song) without playing a single note of it. For that, he’s joined by his bandmates on guitar and bass, with additional help from friends on keyboards, additional guitar and backing vocals. The music is a hodge podge of various typical power pop styles, from the crunchy sound of the title track and “Start It Up Again” to the heartbroken Beatlesesque jangle of “You’re Gonna Miss Me Someday” to the country-influenced twang of “Breakdown” and “Wait In Vain”. But even with the variety of styles, Peter and his band go from one to the other with ease, bringing the record together quite nicely. That, and the strong songwriting, makes this a fine debut album!”

Metronome Magazine by Douglas Sloan (Jan. 2008)

“Drummer-songwriter Peter Baldrachi steps out of the shadows to front this superb, hard-nosed rock and roll album entitled Solid Ground.  Lush vocal harmonies, gritty guitar sounds full of tone, tone, tone, and Baldrachi’s rock steady rhythms kick these into overdrive and never look back.  Guitarist Gary Rand, bassist Steve Buonomo, keyboardist Lester Goodwine, guitarist Richard Mirsky, pianist David Horak, bassist David Leitch and background singer Alice Austin all contribute their considerable talents to this well produced, played and recorded CD making it one of the best of 2007.  Radio friendly songs include the album’s title track “Solid Ground,” “A Better Place,” and the twangin’ “Wait In Vain.”  With an album full of good songs and excellent playing, Peter Baldrachi’s star is on the rise.  Outstanding!”

The Noise by Francis DiMenno (May 2007)

“Feel-good late-’70s early-’80s power pop chock-full of hooky riffage and blame-free attitude. Call me a sap, but this sort of music puts a big grin on my face. From the Beatles-Cheap Trick inflections of “Solid Ground” to the “Prettiest Girl”-like “A Better Place” to the Stones-Deep Purple-Eagles perplex of “Breakdown” the best umbers are a retro feast of well-crafted pop-rock tunes. Of the more original numbers, “You’re Gonna Miss Me Someday” is a hoarsely insinuating ballad and “Wait In Vain” is an optimistic power-pop love-letter. The release loses steam about midway through but is still a worthy addition to the canon of Boston rock ’n’ roll.”

ALBUM NOTES:
Released in December 2006 and with a nod to many influences including The Stones, The Replacements, Big Star and Teenage Fanclub, Solid Ground was my first solo release. Joining me was a talented core band of Gary Rand on guitars, piano and background vocals, Alice Austin on background vocals, and Steve Buonomo on bass. Former band mates and friends such as guitarist Richard Mirsky, bassist Dave Leitch, guitarist and the engineer K.R. Mogensen, and keyboardists Lester Goodwine and David “Bunky” Horak all contributed to the recordings. Solid Ground was engineered by K.R. Mogensen, recorded at Kissy Pig Studios, mixed by Pete Peloquin (Oasis, The Pixies, The Hives) at Studio Metronome, and mastered by Jay Frigoletto (Alice In Chains, Blondie, Monster Magnet) at Master Suite.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Solid Ground
2. A Better Place
3. Breakdown
4. You’re Gonna Miss Me Someday
5. Wait In Vain
6. Round And Round
7. Start It Up Again
8. Making Sense
9. (Are You Sure That) We Belong
10. What Do You Want From Me