NMM SoundBytes: “Help is on the Way” and Joel Cuzzi is His Name

In the grand tradition of punk rockers and hardcore musicians moving into more intimate and stripped down music, Joel Cuzzi was born and bred on aggressive alternative, punk, and hardcore music, but decided to showcase his more contemplative side with his own folky post-punk style. As Full Time Beret, Cuzzi supported No Use for a Name’s Tony Sly on three national tours, but his latest albums have him turning to his given name and an even more introspective approach. Cuzzi’s close friend and mentor, No Use frontman Tony Sly passed tragically in 2012 and it forced Cuzzi to really look inward and refocus his musical efforts. Since that time, he’s released the best and most mature music of his career.

The lead track of his latest album, “Help is on the Way”, has a bit more alternative rock flair than some of the folkier oriented material on the album. It also have a distinct cowboy feel, Nita my in the drumbeat and vocals. And, while calling something alt-rock or cowboy music may not bring to mind Cuzzi’s friend Tony Sly, there’s something in the songwriting that feels influenced by No Use, even if it’s hard to put my finger on it.

You can listen to Cuzzi’s full Footprints album on Spotify now. Check out his website for upcoming shows and updates, too.

thepaintedman
Justin has been running websites since his first Geocities site in 1994, but only did he ever start covering anything of substance years later. After he stopped regularly running local concerts in Northern NJ and the greater Philly area, he knew he needed to step up his writing game if he expected to continue to get free music to listen to. He writes regularly here and at Cinapse, as well as contributing to a few other sites on occasion. He likes music, film, the Philadelphia Eagles, the 76ers, talking about Criminal Justice, reading Intelligence Report, and his family... not in that order. His beautiful wife is far more talented than he is and his kids far more adorable... and crazy.
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