It's difficult to even glance at the news today and not be overcome by the desire to rant and rave. Which is why the majority just tune it out, leaving a minority desperately attempting to force their fellow citizens to face reality. Palumbo's Citizen X is another valiant foray in this crusade, an album that spans virtually the entire range of contemporary, contentious issues. Pick your topic -- globalization, big business, the environment, human migration, immigration, religious oppression, political disconnection, Iraq, Katrina, poverty, the plight of the working class, sexual slavery -- Palumbo dissects them all in songs that range from the poignant to the polemic. "When the Cameras Went Away" falls into the former category, a haunting ballad that will make every non-Gulf dwelling resident of this country squirm with guilty recognition, and blink back tears of sorrow and rage at our own shortcomings. Almost as painful is "A Letter Home," an epistle from a U.S. soldier in Iraq, gut-wrenching in the very simplicity of its words and thoughts. Then there are the far from silent accusations, from the working stiff left behind by the "Monkeyshines" of globalization, to the little people respectfully calling out "Hey, Mr President" to an oblivious leader of the free world, and onto the demand "We Want Mine" from those that have nothing left of their own. But when "Big Money" rules the roost, and we insist on "Living with the Lights On" sucking up oil night and day, it's no wonder that our fearless leaders will be happily "Dancing at the White House" without a care in the world. But, as Palumbo keeps pointing out, if we continue to close our eyes, it's no wonder we're all "Lost in America." As broad ranging as Citizen X's themes are, the music is equally so. Multi-instrumentalist Palumbo seems comfortable in any genre, moving effortlessly across much of the rock spectrum from blues-flecked to country-picked, and punk to metal, tossing in funky rhythms and electronica inspired dance beats, firing up or bringing down the mood at will, and wrapping them in stark or rich atmospheres at will. It's a breathtaking album, one that exquisitely zaps the zeitgeist of the moment, and deftly defines the climes of the times. The question is with its hard hitting lyrics and eclectic style, will this Citizen do more than preach to the choir? ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide
Tracks
Track Title
Composers
Performers
Time
Lost in America
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:12)
Monkeyshines
Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:55)
Hey, Mr. President
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:45)
We Want Mine
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:20)
Pop
Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:59)
All Fly Away
John Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:53)
Dancing with the Fuhrer
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:27)
Immigration Man
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:33)
Things We Do
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:13)
Big Money
Palumbo
Palumbo
(4:06)
Living with the Lights On
Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:18)
Dancing at the White House
Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:56)
When the Cameras Went Away [*]
Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:48)
A Letter Home [*]
Palumbo
Palumbo
(3:35)
Credits
Terry Cashman (Executive Producer), Phil Kurnit (Executive Producer), Amy Bennick (Artwork), Sayyd Droullard (Engineer), George Marino (Mastering), Paul Goodrich (Digital Editing), Ian Palumbo (Vocals), Amy Bennick (Cover Design), Tommy West (Executive Producer), Sayyd Droullard (Mixing)
