Doug Kistner’s talents are enough to win the day for his latest single “Don’t Look Down” but he’s had some skillful assistance helping him this far. The two preceding singles “Only Road I Know” and “Since We Left Our Dreams” scored as major successes for this new solo artist based, in part, on the contributions of former Dennis DeYoung and John Waite drummer Dave Anthony, ex-Billy Joel saxophonist Richie Cannata, and bassist Mike Todd. His solo work has likewise afforded Kistner the opportunity to show off his talents as a multi-instrumentalist. His keyboard and guitar playing is every bit as integral as his vocals and overall presence.
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The New Jersey performer has likewise experienced considerable success as a touring musician. Sharing the same stages with such luminaries as Chicago’s Danny Seraphine and Trans-Siberian Orchestra provided Kistner with a finishing school of sorts pointing in the direction he wanted to take as a solo performer. This new single has just the right length and a degree of professional polish that makes it an inviting re-listen. It is far from one of those “one and done” singles all too common in the modern musical landscape.
It’s a good song to play for those who knock AOR music. Tastes often broaden as you get older and the cachet you covet from liking certain bands while disdaining others fades. It isn’t far-fetched to assume the same people headbanging in 1988 are relaxing to melodic vocals, biting yet musical guitar, and horns in 2021. There’s something for everyone here, really. Six-string heroics are absent during this track, but the rhythm playing is lean, hard-hitting, and has deceptive simplicity.
“Don’t Look Down” will gain most of its attention thanks to the vocal. It’s a dominant performance from Kistner, full of verve and sharp hearing, and certain to bring a smile to many. He has an effortless manner engaging this material and communicates scads of personality without ever overwhelming the backing. There are some supporting vocals present during the track, but he is more than capable of handling the singing duties alone. Anything else is just window dressing.
APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/album/dont-look-down-single/1568994493
The lyrics are relatively standard fare. Intelligence shines through, however – it is obvious the material means something to Kistner rather than just giving him gobbledygook to sing. All too often words are an afterthought for many modern acts but they are irreplaceable parts of the listening experience. Let’s hope he turns his attention from the single format with future releases and serves up a potent EP.
This career, given the proper build, has the potential to run on for decades to come. Doug Kistner has attention grabbing talents and a burning passion for his art that comes through during every minute of “Don’t Look Down”. It’s a great song to hear, as well, emerging from the shadows of a global pandemic and reminds us to buckle up for the ride we take every day of our lives. Let’s join Doug Kistner for the next lap of his musical trip knowing, full well, he’ll make each mile memorable.
Rachel Townsend