HEART LAND MINES VOL. 1

Relatable Heartbreak Roadtrip Music

Here's the new album from progressive rock veteran DAVE KERZNER and a stellar cast of venerable progressive rock musicians adding their talents to the mix.

To these ears, the progressive rock quotient is fairly low, with a number of references to other great, atmospheric, sometimes cinematic, melancholic tunesmiths like Al Stewart, some of Lou Gramm's music, Bon Jovi (I'm thinking of track 3, "Dreaming in LA" here), and even John Mellencamp- none of whom would probably ever be called "progressive" musicians.

Pink Floyd and Beatles

Yes, these might have some progressive cred, and the presence of the lung-power of the McBroom sisters naturally calls to mind some classic progressive rock, yet overall, despite these strong references (and of course there are others I thought I heard, like Steely Dan and CS&N) this heartfelt and enjoyable release is best heard with fairly low expectations of progressive rock ingenuity, intricate compositions, grandiose passages, or symphonic grandeur.

None of which is to degrade the impact of "Heart Land Mines, Vol. 1". I think it has a potent emotional punch, especially if you are one of the "lucky" ones who has had to wend your way through such land mines, trying VERY hard to maintain equilibrium and balance despite the ongoing threat of sinking beneath the waves of pain and rage and loss, when one's love is lost.

Autobiography

Dave makes no bones about the intentions and motivation- which I took to mean that he was involved with a uniquely messed up lady who broke his heart, so he packed his stuff and hit the road- a time-honored trope- the grieving and torn person who seeks answers in the open road.

Meaning, the power and impact of this concept album is the power of an honest, poetic story-teller using the ways he's gifted to have, to tell the tale and find healing on the journey.

Themes

So from stem to stern this album draws from ambient sounds to set a mood- things like gulls crying over sounds of the ocean, or a car starting, for instance. Dave uses the acoustic guitar and his husky voice to great effect, and of course the power of his keyboard repertoire.

There's the obvious theme of a person on a quest for inner peace, and Dave weaves musical themes in and out, both gentle and edgier to great effect. Here I think of the tracks "Manic Calm" and "Too Far Gone".

Then there's the related theme of the intense inner struggle of finding some kind of acceptance for what has obviously been an earth-shaking loss, attaining a brief measure, only to once again be inundated with feelings and hopes and hurts.

Strengths

Dave has a strong sense of melodicism, a discerning ear for sonic clarity, a passionate love of classic drum and guitar and vocal and keyboard sounds. The flow and depth of each track is laudatory and germane to the tale being told. He surrounds himself with fine musicians who seem incapable of hitting a wrong note or setting a wrong scenario.

The Sour Note

For me, the track "Dirty Girl" while a catchy and charming tune- also a stylistic departure from the rest of the tracks- troubled me due to its suggestion that a lonely, conflicted woman who offers comfort and sex and solace to a weary traveler, is a "dirty" person. How? Why?

Overall

This would be rated 4 stars if it had a stronger progressive edge, which is the main reason (it doesn't) I'm rating it 3 stars. Mr. Kerzner has given us a slice of his real life with poetic turns of phrase and many enjoyable musical moments. I look forward to hearing more volumes if/when forthcoming.

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