Nicholas Altobelli's Without A Home

This one caught my eye, late in the game, because of the guests...John Dufihlo from the Deathray Davies and Salim Nourallah, that Dallas-centered Texas pop mafia still making exquisite power pop without, as far as I can tell, anyone's encouragement. Nicholas Altobelli is, indeed, a member of that scene, a native of Southern California, but a Dallas-ite since fourth grade. Without A Home is his fourth album...a lovely, effortless thing, wistful and softly song, but full of big shimmering hooks.

No Depression may have gotten the best read on this album, in the February "stack" reviewed by Lee Zimmerman (who is also a contributing editor at Blurt):

"What a lovely dissertation! Produced by the great Salim Nourallah, a superb solo artist in his own right and the man behind the boards for the Old 97s, Without a Home boasts a series of sublime, wide-eyed narratives, each powered by subtle refrains, quietly engaging melodies and the sort of sentiments that automatically elevate them to pop perfection. Altobelli may be a newcomer, but his instincts are spot on; with songs like “Glitter,” “I Don’t Think Tonight Is Going To Be a Good Night,” “Never Enough” and “Over My Head” he retraces the same wistful terrain usually trod by Ron Sexsmith, Steve Forbert, Josh Ritter and others who are often found kneeling at the throne of one Ray Davies. That is to say, Altobelli possesses the same self-demurring attitude as those others -- modest, reserved and oftentimes understated, and yet he’s still adept at pulling out brilliant hooks and indelible imagery. Consider Altobelli one brilliant discovery and an artist to look forward to hearing again and again. Spot on!"