MICHAEL AND THE LONESOME PLAYBOYS

Bottle Cap Sky

rocknrollpoet.com

Why do they call Michael Ubaldini the “rock ’n’ roll poet?” First, he’s a solid lyricist. Second, he’s a fairly limited singer, and on songs about heartbreak, outlaws, trains and highways, he never threatens to overshadow his words with vocal fireworks. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as this Californian grew up worshipping Hank Williams, Bruce Springsteen and Joey Ramone. His music is about attitude and feel, and by those standards, Bottle Cap is a corker—a potent gulp of guitar and pedal steel. Ubaldini blows bluesy harmonica on the sweaty roadhouse slow jam “Someone Should Put You on Trial” and enlists a fiddler for the apocalyptic Hank homage “Moondog Mad.” The end is nigh—let’s dance.