Rick Berlin & the Nickel & Dime Band

Always On Insane

 Whitehaus Family Records, 2012

“I’m a Slut!” Rick Berlin proudly declares with the opening line of his latest release, “Always On Insane.” With a brash and untamed boldness, Berlin proceeds to reveal every side of his sexual psyche. Part confession and part boastful bragging, Berlin has lots of issues he’s going to try to work through before this disc is over.

“Beer Belly,” “Party Coming Up the Stairs,” and “7 Foot Woman,” all fit the bill for an evening of irresponsible alcohol consumption and general bad behavior. His gravelly vocal style, halfway to Tom Waits; a good fit for what all’s being said.

“I Love You in the Rain” is a more sedate, jazzier number quietly driven by a piano and a soft core porn saxophone, while “As Long As it Takes” is a

love song that feels like a misstep.

The music is a mixed bag of rockers and ballads with big band and occasional ska touches. The horn section from the Nickel and Dime Band provide an earthy warmth to the rhythms, and lend attractive splashes of color to the songs. But the meat and potatoes straight forward rock songs better serve the material and the artist.

When Berlin lets his guard down, and offers something to say besides pride of his libido, he can seem almost Springsteen-like in his delivery.  “I’m Jes’ Sayin’” gives us a window on a more tender side of him. Same with “Hillary (Galway Gal),” which is an upbeat and playful song.

Rick Berlin’s been doing this a long time and is as solid a performer as they come. He would do well to focus on his strengths; direct, sassy and snide numbers where he can channel his inner Mick Jagger distilled through his inner Johnny Rotten. Always on Insane indeed.