Uncle Lou (Reed) once sang about the realm between thought & expression, a sacred space where one’s deepest and truest ideas and feelings can flow freely.

 

With his seventh Globe Factory No. 23 release, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, Rob Seidenberg attempts to dwell in that twilight-less zone.

 

Under a fading moon, accompanied by dissipating seashore sounds, the album speaks of the predicament human, where bold attempts at moving forward are foiled (c.f., the stompin’ slide guitar title track) and the only solution is staying true to yourself and beating back life’s counter-forces and disappointments. 

 

But all is not bleakness—especially musically. Vivid 12-string guitars tint the colorful power-pop world of “Aurora Borealis” (“her best friends call her Alice”). “Seashore Sounds” and “C’mon Moon” are rendered primarily by strummed ukelele, the former with a dash of tropicalia/Hawaiana. 

 

“The Undertow (Mayday)” takes things even farther, with its reggae-tinged rock (accompanied by Bonesaw & Hoag, the brother duo of Full Service and Two Player renown) and sterling backing vocals by Suzanne Staton, a frequent GF23 contributor. 

 

“I Hope That You Like It,” co-written with keyboardist Kevin Lovejoy, makes no attempt to disguise its dance floor insistence. But before you know it the uke returns, finger-picked and accompanied by a string quartet, for the somber “I Know We’re True.”

 

Sure, says Seidenberg, life can be daunting. But with a dash of humor, some plucked strings (gut, steel, acoustic, electric) and true-blue companionship (“Forever Friends”), its challenging twists and turns can be much better negotiated.