It is one of the more unfortunate aspects of our current pop culture. While we sink deeper into slavish submission to American Idol-type vocal divas over-singing badly written songs, truly talented instrumental musicians, once the backbone of rock ‘n roll, are going the way of the dinosaur. Sadly, the art of real “playing” is being pretty much overtaken by invisible computer programs and non-union midi sequences. In this brave new empty world of MTV face-headed Britneys and Justins, guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboardists and even whole orchestras face the threat of musical extinction. So it’s refreshing when any instrumentalist gets a chance to shine in today’s rock scene. In this case, we have a real, live pianist, with a real, live band, out there making it happen for himself.

Lawrence’s acoustic grand piano is the dominant sound throughout the Figures recording. I dare say there could exist a viable version of Figures made up of the piano track alone, as it contains within itself all the essentials of the album’s music. There’s barely a moment on the CD when Lawrence’s piano is not heard. It has been mixed in an omnipresent, all-encompassing wide stereo, with left hand and right hand separate and both quite prominent. Somehow, drums, percussion, bass, two guitars, lead vocal and harmony vocals are also squeezed into the CD’s sonic landscape. During songs, the keyboard’s right hand often doubles the vocal melody (or is it the other way around?).

Sometimes the lyrics and vocals seem almost an afterthought to the more dominant piano part, as they doodle alongside the strong melodic material already present in the keys. Lawrence’s lead vocal, sung mostly in a low and middle range, has a smoothing, if not soothing, effect on the otherwise busy musical goings-on. It kind of connects the dots, so to speak, with a nice legato line throughout. He also provides occasional, well-executed multi-layered background vocal harmonies that enhance the high points in his songs.

Lawrence plays piano well, with power, purpose and an exact sense of rhythm that locks right in with his bassist and drummer. Fans of piano-man type rock will enjoy Figures, as it is very piano-based indeed. Many of its songs have that quasi-Jim Steinman, quasi-Broadway rock-musical bubbling quality of urgency. They remind this listener of those “sudden realization” 11 o’clock wake up numbers found in shows like Rent and/or Hedwig.

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