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. 

Release Date:  Available Now

Label: Independent (Buy Here)

Format:   CD / Vinyl /  Digital

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 recognises 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.

Here’s I Cannot Say from the album:

Bobbo Byrnes: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Patreon

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