Andy Pratt

About

At once a pop-rock tour de force and a therapy session, Andy Pratt’s 1973 self-titled album vibrates with a peculiar genius. The Boston-bred singer/songwriter sounds like he’s struggling to get his mental house in order — but even as he’s reliving some painful childhood issues, he creates music of uncommon power. “Avenging Annie,” the best-known tune here, is an inspired re-write of Woody Guthrie’s “Pretty Boy Floyd” sung from a woman’s point of view. Pratt’s unhinged falsetto and cascading piano work ride atop the song’s galloping arrangement to startling effect. Also easy to like are “Give It All to Music” (a bright pop ballad about the creative process) and “Call Up That Old Friend” (a wistful, guitar-centered tune with a tremulous melody). The rest of the album is more challenging — uncomfortably personal songs like “Inside Me Wants Out” and “It’s All Behind You” match brooding lyrics with jagged, seething instrumentation. Pratt’s impressive vocal range and songcraft are evident even when his tunes teeter on the brink of lunacy. When it works, the results are oddly compelling.

via Apple Music