Willie Nile Revels in Hooks and Riffs on ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’

With his 14th LP, The Day the Earth Stood Still, Willie Nile doubles down on the melodic and riff-driven approaches of 2006’s Streets of New York, 2013’s American Ride, and 2016’s World War Willie. The result is a project that oozes an ebullient ’70s-rock-and-pop vibe, the 73-year-old delivering some of the more infectious songs of his career.

“There was panic in the cities / there was terror in the towns,” Nile sings on the opening title track, one of a few artists (along with John Prine) who can share an apocalyptic message and sound whimsical at the same time, his offhandedly doomsday lyric buoyed by bright guitars, a propulsive beat, and a simple yet consummately hook-y chorus line. “Sanctuary” is an irresistible guitar-bass-and-drums stomper reminiscent of Tom Petty circa Damn the Torpedoes.

“Blood on Your Hands,” featuring guest Steve Earle, opens with a melodic line and riff that bring to mind a pop-friendly reconfiguration of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck.” “The Justice Bell,” dedicated to late congressman John Lewis, addresses how each person and generation contributes in unique ways to the ongoing struggle for justice. (The album’s artwork includes a photograph of Nile and Lewis standing together.)

“Expect Change” launches with an echoey/ZZ Top-ish drumbeat (“Give Me All Your Lovin’”), transitioning into a riff courtesy of golden-age Stones. “I Don’t Remember You” is an acoustic-driven and hyper-melodic portrait of someone with their “heart on their left sleeve,” a stock character whom Nile abstractly but nonspecifically recalls.

“Off My Medication” rings as a cross between Thin Lizzy and The Ramones, the track’s punk-y fifths and tongue-in-cheek chorus illustrative of Nile’s unpretentiousness and self-deprecating humor. The set closes with “Way of the Heart,” a mock-nasal vocal serving as a tip of the hat to Dylan (check out Nile’s release of Dylan covers, 2017’s Positively Bob: Willie Nile Sings Bob Dylan). “If you ever get that feeling that your soul is lost inside / just raise your weary head see my arms all open wide,” Nile sings, ending the project on a positive and communal note (something Dylan would probably never do).

The Day the Earth Stood Still shows Nile writing and performing as adeptly and energetically as ever. With COVID hopefully ready to recede in our rear-view mirrors (or at least our side-view mirrors), calendars are once again relevant. Nile has various appearances scheduled between August and December, mostly in the northeast. It would undoubtedly be a treat to hear live versions of his new tunes, as well as such gems as “Asking Annie Out,” “Life on Bleeker Street,” and the anthemic “Forever Wild.”