In this, our latest dialogue, Brad Birzer and Tad Wert discuss the new album from the multi-talented Dave Kerzner, Heart Land Mines, Vol. 1. Kerzner has been involved in many different projects, all of them excellent. Besides his solo albums, he was also a member of Sound of Contact, Arc of Life, and In Continuum. He rivals Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy in the number and variety of musical ventures he participates in.

Tad: Brad, when I read Dave’s liner notes to Heart Land Mines, Vol. 1 and saw that these were songs from the 90s that he wrote after a relationship with a girlfriend broke up, I had low expectations. But I have really enjoyed this album from the first time I listened to it! It doesn’t hurt that Kerzner has a great ear for a musical hook – “Dreaming In LA” sounds like classic Bad Company to me, but better. 

This album is proggy – Kerzner’s voice has that laconic quality that always recalls David GIlmour – but it’s primarily a straightforward rock album that would be at home on an FM radio station in 1975. There’s a lot of acoustic guitar – “Back To One” sounds like an Eagles hit with its vocal harmonies. Anyway, maybe I’m emphasizing its retro qualities a little too much, but I find myself really taken with them!

Brad: Tad, thank you so much for asking me to do this review of Kerzner’s Heart Land Mines.  I’m sorry to be late in replying.  Since you first invited me to write this, I’ve been to the University of Louisville and back.  Not quite Tennessee, Tad, but still a beautiful city and state!  I gave lectures on sociologist Robert Nisbet and fabulist J.R.R. Tolkien, and I had a blast while I was there–especially seeing one of my long-time friends, Gary Gregg.  He’s not a progger, but he is a brilliant guy.

As far as I know, I have everything Kerzner has released (at least if bandcamp is to be believed), and I’ve been a huge fan of his since the deluxe edition of New World came out.  Wow, do I remember when that came out–I was utterly blown away by it.  Indeed, that album would rank as one of my all-time favorites, and I go back to it frequently.  I also really enjoyed Static and would also rank it very highly in my all-time lists.  His In Continuum albums also move me and have a high place in my rankings.

From my perspective, Kerzner is ELO progged up, and Pink Floyd popped up.  He has an infectious way about creating an ear-friendly riff while also complicating the matter in the proggiest fashion.  And, his production is always crystal clear and fetching.

For whatever reason, however, I’ve not been able to get into Heart Land Mines.  I’ve listened to it now three or four times, but it’s failed to grab me in the way that Kerzner’s previous albums have.  

I will say, however, that you’re absolutely right, if this were 1975, Kerzner would be huge on Album Rock Radio.  On the album, he clearly embraces the ethos and sound of Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Bad Finger, etc.

Don’t get me wrong.  I really like Heart Land Mines, but it’s yet to become a part of my being in the way that his other albums have.  At this point, I’m happy to move on to his other albums and consider Heart Land Mines a labor of love, but not of genius.  

Please tell me why I’m wrong!

Tad: Brad, as always, you have the perfect phrase to describe an artist’s work: “ELO progged up, and Pink Floyd popped up” is Kerzner in a nutshell!

I wouldn’t say Heart Land Mines is a work of genius, but gosh, I think it’s a blast to listen to. It serves as a reminder of how far pop music has fallen since the 70s. We both agree Heart Land Mines would be a huge hit on mid-70s AOR. Today, it appeals to a niche audience. I know, I know – in the 70s guys our age were complaining about how great big band music was, and how awful radio was!

Anyway, I have enjoyed Kerzner’s semi-autobiographical musical journey here. He took what seems to be an ugly breakup of a relationship and turned it into a very catchy set of songs. “Manic Calm” has an irresistible guitar riff (I’m a sucker for a descending scale) that I can listen to over and over. “Eye Of The Storm” is the best Pink Floyd song since “High Hopes”. And I love the way he reprises a couple of songs to pull everything together into a cohesive package.

Like you, I’ve tried to buy everything Kerzner has put out, but it’s hard to keep up with the guy!  Sound of Contact’s eponymous album was near-perfect progressive rock, but it looks like personality clashes have kept them from ever getting together again. I have both of his In Continuum albums, and I like them a lot, but to my ears, neither of them have any melodies that are as memorable as some of the ones on Heart Land Mines. 

I agree that Heart Land Mines is a labor of love (or maybe broken love!), but I find it to be a thoroughly pleasurable listen. Sometimes, that’s all I want or need. I’ve always had a soft spot for power pop, and if a song’s melody doesn’t grab me, I have a hard time getting into it. Kerzner is a fantastic songwriter, I am so glad he decided to dust off these old tunes and record them.

Brad: thanks for the good words and the reminder, Tad.  You’re absolutely right, Heart Land Mines is a work of AOR genius, and it would’ve been a massive hit–along with Hotel California–in the 1970s.  Too bad for Kerzner that he’s temporarily out of joint!

For what it’s worth, I’ve given Heart Land Mines a few more listens since I wrote the first reaction, and the album very much continues to grow on me.  I would say that the album not only embraces The Eagles and Bad Company, but also, to a certain extent, Elvis Costello.  

Overall, it’s a delight of influences.  I even hear bits of Stone Temple Pilots and Steely Dan and other bands from the 1980s and the 1990s.

Kerzner is never shy about his debt to other bands, but these debts seem quite blatant and serious.  

Regardless, I’m so glad to live in the same world as Dave Kerzner  Whatever I think of this particular album, I know that my life is immensely better because of his music.

Tad: And on that note, I think we’ll bring this joint review to a close. Spirit of Cecilia readers, if you haven’t yet experienced the magic of Dave Kerzner’s music, you should check out his first solo album, New World; if you like it (and we think you will!), then Heart Land Mines is a worthy followup.

Here’s the official video for “Eye Of The Storm”: