American Songwriter Magazine, Sept/Oct 2024
After relocating from Boston to Southern California, Bobbo Byrnes made his mark by founding one of Orange County’s leading Americana rock bands, The Fallen Stars. His music tends to find its footing in astute Americana, a combination of a root rock regimen and a casual country sway imbued with a genuine folk finesse. A vagabond at heart, he read Kerouac early on, and the songs he sings reflect a sense of relentless wanderlust. His new eponymous album maintains that mantra, although there’s a distinct diversity in the style and sound of the individual offerings. Opening track “Around Here” launches the album with a subtle sense of foreboding, but with the mellow musings found in “Plain Street,” the compelling chorus that drives “Never Learned to Fly,” and the familiar feel given “Too Many Miles,” it all adds up to one satisfying set of songs. It’s worth noting that the album incorporated a vintage 1964 Steinway piano, which Byrnes made use of while playing the bulk of the instrumentation. The result is another superior set of songs and a fine fit within the formidable catalog he’s accrued thus far.
Bobbo Byrnes can claim a storied history. Following a move from Boston to Southern California, Bobbo founded one of Orange County’s leading Americana Roots Rock bands, The Fallen Stars. Nowadays, he operates on his own, but his songs and stories still manage to resonate with an effusive energy that shares a potent mix within each of his outings.
His new self-titled album is no different. With a set of songs that range from relentless Rockers (“Around Here”, “I Cannot Say”, “Bad Decisions”, “Some Salvation”) to reflective, well-considered, contemplative ballads (“Too Many Miles”, “Long Way Down”, “Chance”, “Plain Street”), Bobbo Byrnes expresses his innermost emotions while tying those thoughts and feelings to the sentiments expressed in song. The overall theme centers on the power of healing and redemption, using music as a means to express what it takes to retain one’s resolve in the face of both triumph and tribulation.
‘I can’t see, what’s in front of me’ he sings on the track titled “Never Learned to Fly”. ‘So many times, I have tried…’
That confessional tone permeates the proceedings in their entirely, and on the album’s sole cover, a lovely take on the Faces/Ronnie Lane ballad “Glad and Sorry” that walks with fearless reality until coming to full fruition. It’s a song well-suited to sobering circumstances, but it also adds an unlikely sense of celebration that’s tied to the drive and deliberation conveyed throughout the album overall. Notably, Byrnes plays all the instruments other than bass and drums (specifically, guitars, mandolin, piano, organ, pedal steel), and also takes credits for the songwriting, recording, production, and the majority of the mixing. The results are expressive, emphatic and, as always, robust and resilient.
Ultimately, one can credit Bobbo Byrnes with nothing less than a tour-de-force, music that resonates long after the final notes fade away. ‘I’m not lost, I’m just looking/For the last placed I felt like me’ he sings on the brief closing track “Not Lost”. An exceptional album by a singular artist, Bobbo Byrne is a true treasure. (by Lee Zimmerman)
Folk, alt.country and rocking songwriter Bobbo Byrnes moved from Boston to Anaheim in southern California where he founded the Americana band 'The Fallen Stars' in Orange County, a band in which his wife Tracy Byrnes also plays on bass guitar. Together with her he also played in the group "Riddle And The Stars" with the Australian singer-songwriter Ben Riddle as frontman.
Since 2017, however, Bobbo has mainly performed as a solo artist, with which he can already fall back on an extensive discography, consisting of the albums "Motel Americana" from 2017, "Two Sides To This Town" from 2018, "The Red Wheelbarrow" from 2019, "SeaGreenNumber5" from 2020, "So Many Bars, So Many Saturday Nights" from 2021 and the acoustic "October" that was released on New Year's Day 2023.
Now there is a seventh solo album that simply has the title “Bobbo Byrnes” and contains eleven songs in which this Californian musician looks back on his life and his musical career. In addition to being a good singer, Bobbo is also a talented multi-instrumentalist and he shows this on this introspective album produced by himself by playing guitars, mandolin, piano, organ and pedal steel. He leaves the remaining instrumentation work in his own ‘Wandering Star Studios’ in Anaheim to his wife Tracy Byrnes on bass guitar and Matt Froehlich on drums. Both of them, together with Ben Riddle and Brian Matteson, also provide backing vocals on some tracks on this album.
Bobbo Byrnes wrote ten of the eleven songs on this untitled album himself, four songs for which he wrote the lyrics and music all by himself, but for six songs there was some composition help from Jeff Turner, Ben Riddle, Morgan Keating and Kirk Diedrich. The only song covered, “Glad And Sorry,” is a rock ballad originally sung by Rod Stewart and written by Ronnie Lane of The Faces for their 1973 album “Ooh La La.”
The album opener “Around Here” can be heard on the first audio video, and the melodic rock number “Never Learned To Fly” is featured on the second video accompanying this review. Most of the songs on “Bobbo Byrnes” are uptempo rock songs such as “I Cannot Say,” “Long Way Down,” “Bad Decisions,” and country rocker “Some Salvation.” However, for the country-based songs “Plain Street,” “Too Many Miles,” and the 6.5-minute “Chance,” the tempo drops dramatically toward full-blown ballads.
“With his self-titled 7th solo record, the American folk, alt.country and rock singer-songwriter Bobbo Byrnes is reflecting on his personal life and his musical career. Ten self written tracks and one cover version of the song ‘Glad And Sorry’ that was penned in 1973 by Ronnie Lane for the British rock band ‘The Faces’ will convince the listeners of the massive talent of this Californian musician.“ – www.rootstime.be
Music an Sich (Germany) Sept 2024
(18 out of 20 ranking) translated by Google
Since 2017 I have been presenting the musician Bobbo Byrnes regularly, most recently with his "One Man Show" October.
Now he introduces himself in trio format with his new, self-titled, disc. I had already noticed that Bobbo's music is a perfect combination of folk, rock, country and music in the singer/songwriter mode under the roof of the generic term Americana, he was once again successful with this directly beautiful music, which is full of energy, joy of playing and obvious fun of making music.
You also feel reminded of the time with The Fallen Stars, and when "I Cannot Say" jumps out of the speakers, I am particularly happy, because that is the sound that has gradually developed in the USA, For example through bands like R.E.M .. Wonderful how the jangling sound of the guitars fills the song, which is very emotional and immediately jumps into the sunshine and refreshes the soul.
So this music is filled with freshness, is uncomplicated and gets to the point. You literally feel how the band was very personally involved and performed. "Long Way Down", it goes on as well, I feel very touched again, well, that may be subjective, but also objective, the band has succeeded in making music very grounded, emotions transported to very honest -sounding and thus developed a kind of magic that can actually not leave anyone untouched. Next to R.E.M. I also remember the band The Jayhawks, who present a similar mood, or some songs also remind of Tom Petty. So a lot of nostalgia spreads in a very pleasant way, and this "old -fashioned" and back to basics sound that can be used to show this music has a lot of sympathy!
In addition to the brisk songs, it is also slow songs like "Plain Street" that, basically simply knitted, emit a lot of expression. I could now provide every single song with the appropriate attributes, but every listener may decide this for themself, at least I can recommend every single song.
Why this album does not yet find itself in music charts, I cannot understand, at least the disc is a candidate for the Euro Americana charts!
If you want to accompany the music on the guitar, you can use the attached pick that Bobbo has enclosed in the CD. THANKS!
Rock ‘n’ Roll Truth
August 15, 2024
By Robert Kinsler
You might like if you enjoy:
The Jayhawks, Rhett Miller, Toad the Wet Sprocket
Tell me more:
Celebrated Americana singer-songwriter Bobbo Byrnes is back with a new full-length album that reminds listeners about the importance of great song craft, a compelling artistic vision and the undeniable magic that happens when great players create magic in a recording studio. “Bobbo Byrnes” is an 11-track collection that showcases the power of Byrnes' best work with The Fallen Stars and conjures up memories of great songs from top-tier acts such as Toad the Wet Sprocket, The Jayhawks and Rhett Miller. Memorable cuts on this modern-day masterwork include the spirited opener "Around Here," resonant "Long Way Down," breezy "Plain Street," the shimmering rocker "Never Learned to Fly," alt country rocker "Some Salvation" and ambitious genre-defying "Not Lost"; I have been particularly smitten by "I Cannot Say," a bewitching rocker that is as haunting as it is contagious.
From the outside, listening in - NBT Radio, Netherlands
June 11, 2024
Some stuff that is not about the album. I was introduced to Bobbo via the Riddle and the Stars album sent to me via that great Swedish distribution outfit Hemifran, then I went on to get stuff from the Fallen Stars and then a whole lotta music from his every growing catalogue of solo recordings. I became a gold plated eternal fan when catching a Fallen Stars online live set, and they did a version of ‘’The Ballad Of Jane’’ from the cult TV show Firefly.
Why am I telling you this, gentle (but growing impatient) reader. Well because I am a fan, I tend to hold the artist to a higher standard, than I would perhaps have to lesser mortal musicians… Life and music criticism can be cruel that way.
Mr Byrnes has never let me down. On with the show, (the audience growing restless heave a loud collective sigh of relief.)
The collection kicks off with ‘’Around Here’’ which I like to call, ‘welcome to my contradiction’ the push and pull of family, hometown, the need to escape, the desire to stay just a little bit longer, in spite of the knowledge things will not really change. This is all said in a deceptively simple easy flowing way that factors in the listeners intelligence, and refuses to spell it out for them. This is a chart song in waiting, taking in something that is half Tom Petty, half Wilco and all Byrnes. Love the arrangement in this, the organ, and barely there yet so effective harmony vox.
In ‘’ I Cannot Stay’’ we go widescreen, but let it be said, its widescreen that somehow manages to be intimate, that is for just one listener in an otherwise empty theatre. This one really gets under the skin, and I have found it’s the perfect song to listen to, on an mp3 player, alone with your thoughts, in a crowd.
I am sure, someone, anyone, took a picture of me doing just that, huge busy train station, during rush hour, the only soul just standing, not rushing anywhere.
‘’Long Way Down’’ evokes the Go-Betweens, and/or The Triffids, something I have noticed about this set in particular, it seems to come out at you from everywhere on earth, and also straddles decades with ease, but no retro rubbish here, the nostalgia feels earned, hard fought for even.
‘’Plain Street’’ is almost pure country, but as if George Or Paul, those Liverpool boys, were young adults in the Brit Pop era, and Elvis (the Costello one not the Vegas one) had come in to jam.
By the time we get to the halfway mark and ‘’Never Learned To Fly’’ we start to realize that a lot of the power here is woven into the songs via the dreamlike yearning of Byrnes vocals, we find him at his most fragile, most thoughtful and weirdly most in control
A rather delightful curveball hits our senses, in ‘’Too Many Miles’’ where we are transplanted into the ‘Big Pink’ of The Band (with Danko on vocals) this tune is plaintive, soulful and just beautiful. So when are you releasing YOUR Basement Tapes Bobbo?
‘’Bad Decisions’ is a bar brawl with a twist, and there is this 60s meets new wave mix going on here, that brings a smile to the proceedings, there is even a hint of kinda dad rock of, say, The Hold Steady. No bad thing at all
‘’Some Salvation’’ was, for a while, the title of this collection, though I can understand why ‘self titled’ (lower case) works really well. The former headline tune is a duet (with Tracy Byrnes) and is waiting to be heard in a Rom-Com near you, although the words are sadder than you expect.
Its back to the 70’s for the power ballad ‘’ Glad & Sorry’’ Linda Ronstadt should cover this, then onto ‘’ Chance’’ one of my fave tunes here. This most modern sounding track is an epic builder of emotional tension, a journey to the stars if you will. This has to be played loud, as we are caught up in the storm and we are left breathless.
‘Chance’ doesn’t fade but floats into the final song ‘’Not Lost’’ taking this tense form of serenity to the next level. This is Kate Bush ‘Breathing’ level full immersion stuff and the only possible way this could end.
The Rocking Magpie, UK
June 1, 2024
Hints of a Sparkling New Direction From Orange County
Americana singer-songwriter Bobbo Byrnes has come a long way since moving from Boston, Mass (he was part of their punk scene) to Southern California.
There, he founded one of Orange County’s leading Americana rock bands, Fallen Stars’, where after reading too much Kerouac, ‘
Byrnes folk inspired storytelling is of the most accessible kind; after reading too much Jack Kerouac and hitchhiking during his youth he eventually settled down to learning and sharing his stories with others as songs.
Byrnes connects with people both on and off stage; he’s a people person, plain and simple; and his well spun songs make that connection with listeners of all ages.
While most are self-penned, he also works with co-writers like Morgan Keating, Jeff Turner, Ben Riddle and Kirk Diedrich.
A busy man, only last year he released the album October; which he recorded in two days while out on the road. One session in Hansa, Germany and the other at the Windmill Lane studio, Dublin. In recent years, his music has drawn comparisons with Glen Hansard, The Waterboys and Ed Sheeran among others of that ilk.
On listening to his work (the self-titled, Bobbo Byrnes) it’s easy to understand his love of electric lead guitar, smoking rhythms that lift you to the rafters.
Around Here kicks his seventh album away in a gritty fashion, driven by searing electric lead and a solid rhythm he vents his frustration.
“It’s all red lights going into town,
….I can’t leave, but I’m going”.
I Can’t Say is another to focus on frustration. Here Byrnes speaks of someone that had a drinking problem… is he the man in the story?
I wonder?
On Long Way Down he is in reflective mood, singing of ‘life’ and how you can’t fight it or change the past. More solid rhythm in the background that to some degree is ‘dreamy’.
“There’s a light shinning down on Plain Street,
but it hangs in a sky over Main Street”
and
“It took me 24 years to find my place here on Plain Street”. Which somehow sounds like something from the 1980’s. Whatever, Byrnes sounds at ease with life.
Never Learned To Fly continues the sequence of stories and life and L.O.V.E. Though it has plenty fine electric lead guitar, the record at this point possibly needs to focus more on his vocals and lyrical depth?
Too Many Miles has a wonderful feel, the best song so far on the record as Bobbo strips it down to shuffling rhythm, organ, electric lead guitar (with a brilliant solo), striking harmonies and outstanding lead vocals that speak of how there’s been
“Painting she bought hangs on the wall,
Left her coat on the chair,”
as he struggles with the separation… a heart-torn Country gem.
Bad Decisions;
“Faith made a date for a Sunday morning
and drove me to a hotel.
I met her church group and her boyfriend
And I the infidel.
I want to make some bad decisions with you”
he pleads.
By far, the finest song up to now.
“Please forgive for all this silence on my mind”
he sings on the more poppy, feel good love song, Some Salvation. Bolstered by shared lead vocals with his wife, editor, soundboard tech and bassist, Tracy Byrnes.
It’s a winner!
The deep harmonies, work out well and the emotions are real, as the song looks for the couple to try again.
Glad And Sorry (the Faces song written by Ronnie Lane) opens with more fine harmonies, with the song’s underbelly warmed by lead electric guitar, the fine use of piano gives it an additional edge and a relaxed, lazy feel that ‘Plonk’ would be proud of.
“Can you show me a dream?
Can you show me one that’s better than mine”.
Chance starts gently and is cleverly underpinned by a pronounced pedal steel guitar, female harmonies and Byrnes again, is in a relaxed mode.
Here he speaks about ‘leaving things to chance’.
“Love is not a picture, but a story that keeps going on and on.
Just leave everything to chance.”
This time Byrnes’ lead guitar is powerful and the neat piano delivery on the fade out ensures the album closes on a positive note … or two.
While I’ve not heard his previous six albums I’m led to believe that this is something of a new direction for Bobbo Byrnes; but as a standalone album it really stands up against everything I’ve heard in the Americana/Alt Country market over the last few years.
Review by Our Man From Havana … Maurice Hope
MI TOCADISCOS DUAL (Spain)
Spain, translated from Spanish by Google
June 2024
Rating: Outstanding
“I still don't understand why Bobbo isn't more recognized at the level of people like Ryan Adams since his albums are a delight of captivating American sounds. Last year, if I remember correctly, he released two LPs and this one is already on its way to one, which is the one I'm currently listening to. This album is one of the best of his work for several reasons, the first because it surprisingly has songs that remind me a lot of one of my favorite albums of all time, which is the Church's Starfish (I Cannot Say) and the second because which is the set of songs with the best choruses of his work. A gem.”
At The Barrier (UK)
Sometimes an unfamiliar artist can crop up and surprise you with well crafted interesting songs. Bobbo Byrnes is one such a man who deserves a listen. Lend an ear to this prolific and passionate song writer on his latest self titled release.
First impressions – the album cover alone lends a clue to Bobbo’s liking for British rock music. No prizes for guessing his appreciation of The Stone Roses! The music on this self titled album also shows much respect to the song writing of Ronnie Lane with The Faces (before Rod sold his soul) and even hints at early Coldplay.
October, his more acoustic previous album (reviewed here) was a welcome discovery last Summer. His new, more upbeat and dynamic album, is another welcome addition to brighten our days.
This writer is convinced that if British, his name and music would be given more airplay. Perhaps hidden amongst the plethora of singer song writers in the States, he finds it more difficult to be heard.
It’s jingly jangly Americana that kicks off the album with a lively instantly likeable, Around Here. He may have a gloomy inward looking theme, revealing some personal issues, but the tune is lively and jaunty enough in its appeal. However, Long Way Down offers some light at the end of the tunnel and has a War On Drugs flavour to it, with a much fuller full sound .
Bobbo shows his full range of different styles, and a more settled mood, in a good piece called Plain Street. Byrnes also vents his feelings as he lets loose with some dynamic guitar work on Bad Decisions.
Whilst being able to combine smoothly transatlantic influences, he is able to shuffle his guitar playing appropriately. He does this without compromising the mood or feeling he wants to convey. Whilst most of the tracks are solo penned some are written in collaboration. The only cover, Glad And Sorry, is a tribute to Ronnie Lane. This song blends naturally with Bobbo’s passionate songs which often show the value of a stable loving relationship
Byrnes recognizes how he may appeal to British music lovers and is begging to visit these shores. He will be welcome at festivals and more progressive folk clubs. Although Bobbo might be hovering under the radar, as long as he continues to release albums of this quality we are more than happy to ‘bang the drum’ over here.
Lonesome Highway (Ireland)
by Paul McGee
Growing up just north of the Boston, in the state of Massachusetts Bobbo was fond of reading the novels and poetry of Jack Kerouac. The words of the beat generation pioneer would instil a sense of adventure into any impressionable youth, but the difference with Bobbo Byrnes is that he acted upon his growing sense of inquiry and he took his wanderlust onto American highways in search of his dreams. Relocating to California, Bobbo lived the life of the roving troubadour and played in various collaborations over the years. His musical skills became quite honed during his time with The Fallen Stars (four studio albums, a few Eps and a live recording) and then, with Riddle and the Stars (two albums).
Jump forward to 2017 and the release of a debut album as a solo artist; a move that saw Bobbo speed into the distance with a strong work ethic, and no little talent, as he continued his musical adventures. Now, some six solo albums later, Bobbo has decided to release a self-titled album and the results are hugely enjoyable. If you liken a journey in music to a winding road of no fixed destination, sprinkled with plenty of interesting stops along the way, then Bobbo has seen it all over years of gigging across the USA and Europe. His sound is certainly what we describe these days as Americana with his leanings more towards the Rock side of that broad category. Put simply, he just makes great music.
The album opens with the rocking rhythm and inventive guitar of Around Here, a song about having to leave the local scene of his youth in order to develop and grow. The next track I Cannot Say follows in a similar vein with jangling guitar and a strong melody line that echoes thoughts of addiction and character traits that are best kept monitored and under control. He is such a fine guitar player and the band are really tight in the dynamic delivery. Bobbo plays various guitars, mandolin, organ, pedal steel, piano and takes lead vocals throughout. He is joined by his wife Tracy Byrnes (vocals, bass), Matt Froehlich (vocals, drums), with Brian Matteson and Ben Riddle (backing vocals) and Allen Morris guesting on bass for one song, completing the line-up.
Plain Street slows things in tempo with a nicely spaced arrangement and thoughts of nocturnal activities. Too Many Miles is a standout song with a slow pulse in the backbeat and nice organ sounds to augment the winsome vocal of Bobbo. It deals with relationship issues and the too-often breakdown of real communication; again, some stellar guitar licks here to enjoy. Bad Decisions is another rocker with attitude and aims towards the urge of letting it all go ‘I want to make some bad decisions, come on let’s get a tattoo.’ The tempo changes up a gear during the song and delivers an interesting work-out that creates a fine energy.
Some Salvation is a country influenced song arrangement with warm organ sound and great harmony vocals. Glad and Sorry is a standout with a hypnotic guitar riff that lingers, and again, memorable harmony backup. The final two songs use pedal steel to great atmospheric effect and the lengthy Chance is a real tour de force. Bobbo double tracks his guitar sound and the layering really enhances the enjoyment of the album; all bright and celebratory in the excellent production. In terms of a back catalogue there is no disputing the consistency and real quality on offer from this impressive singer songwriter. He should be on everybody’s radar that seeks to purchase music of enduring quality and excellence.
Music Connection Magazine
Seeking: Toast, Tea, Rainy Days
Style: Americana Rock
Bobbo Byrnes told us, presumably with his tongue in his cheek, that he’s seeking “toast, tea, and rainy days,” which is kinda funny but also tracks. His songs are sweet journal entries, exercises in putting your heart and soul out there for all to dig around in and explore.
The guitar is expertly and expressively played, while his voice has a post-punky element that recalls the likes of the Alarm and Modern English. That might come as a surprise to the artist, who listed Americana as his styles but has a sound that seems as rated on the other side of the Atlantic.
Blaskans vänner
Swedish Magazine
Once again, Bobbo Byrnes broadcasts songs and musical acts that, just like previous albums, make hyper-strong A-listers. This album came out this summer but it probably doesn't matter. Bobbo Byrnes lets his songs rain down on us and we can swim around in the songs like islands in the Pacific Ocean.
Skillfully and elegantly, Bobbo Byrnes as the captain of a luxury cruise ship spreads his musical projectiles into our hearts. Country rock or pop.
At times I just get Elvis Costello's eighties in my skull for some reason or Nick Lowe's seventies.
Bobbo Byrnes is an artist who once again influences my soul and gives the music a complete feeling.
The latest album is just the best which a critic would hardly write in a review. However, I claim that Bobbo Byrnes is just the best yet again.
Written in Music - Oct 2024
(Dutch translated by Google)
On a solo tour in Europe, Bobbo Byrnes ends up in the iconic Hansa Studio in Berlin, near the former 'Wall'. Recording sessions at the equally famous Windmill Lane Recording Studios follow, special places lead to inspired songwork on October.
Byrnes does not remain insensitive to the negative developments in society, doubt sets in, writer's block beckons around the corner. These personal feelings are incorporated into eleven new songs that fill the self-titled long player.
Back in California, recording sessions follow in the studio in Anaheim with musicians from The Fallen Stars with Matt Froehlich on the drum kit. Byrnes' wife Tracy Byrnes is inextricably linked to her husband's various musical projects, who plays just about every possible instrument. A melodic, layered guitar sound on an acoustic basis, mixed with keyboard work, drives the songs from Around Here.
The bass lines laid out by Tracy and her background vocals, together with the percussion, form an essential part of I Cannot Say. Long Way Down, meandering with a reverberating sound and pedal steel, and an apparently folk-tinged Chance that almost explodes in a dazzling finale, is reminiscent of the collaboration with Ben Riddle. In the background we hear the voice of the Australian singer-songwriter with whom the couple worked intensively as Riddle and the Stars.
Brian Matteson sings on Never Learned To Fly and Some Salvation, the musician from Wisconsin also (added some mixing help) to some songs.
Glad & Sorry, a song by the late Ronnie Lane that featured on The Faces' Ooh LaLa in the 1970s, is given a beautifully sung and played interpretation here and culminates in a hallucinatory apotheosis. “I'm not lost I'm just looking,” Byrnes whispers in closing, we believe him.
Berlin Calling
BEST OF THE WEEK!
The American Bobbo Byrnes' last album was recorded at rocket speed in both Germany and Ireland and was fairly laid-back music filled with Americana and a touch of visage. The new, self-titled record offers a little more rock'n roll crossed with Americana - and is filled with a lot of harmony, tough guitars and fresh choruses - and maybe the occasional flirtation with both Tom Petty and the Byrds - and just like on the last record a bit of Ian Hunter from Mott The Hoople in the voice. In other words, appealing and good, that is - and of course the kind of music that should get lots of radio play.
The fourth track, "Plain street", immediately catches the eye with narrative lyrics, fine vocals and high school guitar playing. So it actually continues on all eleven songs on the album, a kind of good harmony between the musicians, which is also noticeable throughout the arrangement, which doesn't really have a single weak track. Also, it's about variety, even if most of it is fast and rocking.
One of the more appealing songs is "Glad & Sorry", one of the few songs not co-written by Byrnes himself. Instead, it's a song by blissful Ronnie Lane from Small Faces, which Bobbo Byrnes performs in a very warm and stylish interpretation together with his wife Tracey Byrnes, who also plays bass on the record.
All in all, very good and varied tones from Bobbo Byrnes, who this time has recorded everything at home on the American West Coast.
Zero Magazine
(Sweden)
If I counted correctly, Bobbo Byrne's is Bobbo Byrne's seventh album. However, the former have other titles than just the singer's own name. Byrnes is a singer-songwriter with his boots deep in Americana, folk and rock music, a bit in the direction of Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, you might say.
When this record started with "Around here" I immediately thought "aha, another American dude making mainstream music for American junk radio". Fortunately, I continued to listen to the record and soon discovered that Bobbo Byrnes has another and much more appealing and interesting side, poppier even. It is already noticeable in the second track, "I cannot say", where the melody flows sweetly but a little ominously while the guitar tones grow and fly around with the wind. So my interest in the music increased further and I soon discovered another bunch of really appealing tracks. "Long way down" has something of a misty sad melancholy about it and I like the way Byrnes sings it, beautiful "Too many miles" with its organ and soulful feel is definitely one of the great moments of the record, and it's inevitable to be surprised by it sudden change that takes place on the drums in the middle of "Bad decisions". In addition, "Chance" is a really nice song. In addition to singing and playing electric guitar very nicely, Byrnes also plays mandolin, piano, the aforementioned organ and pedal steel. His wife Tracy plays bass and they have Matt Froehlich on drums. Good thing Byrnes got out of his depression, writers block, self-doubt and also managed to overcome his imposter syndrome, otherwise we
wouldn't have gotten this really nice record.