This is a very interesting album – not least because it’s asking you to expand the concept of what you consider “Americana”; and we’re not just talking about a bit of pop sensibility or some string washes. Combs is a Nashville based singer/songwriter, originally from Dallas Texas, and “Ideal Man” is his fourth studio album. Early comparisons, especially following his 2010 debut E.P. (“Tennessee Time”), likened him to Gene Clark and Mickey Newbury – and it’s easy to hear why when you listen to some of the cuts on this album. Songs like ‘Firestarter’ and album closer ‘You’re Like the Country’ are strong, narrative songs with great lyrical content and simple, tuneful melodies. Elsewhere on this album things get a little less identifiable and you might start to feel like Alice dropping down the rabbit hole! Continue reading “Andrew Combs “Ideal Man” (New West Records, 2019)”
Tag: Andrew Combs
Andrew Combs “Dry Eyes” – Listen
Andrew Combs is best known, to date, for his Laurel Canyonesque singer-songwriter albums but this is all set to change with his new album ‘Ideal Man’ which is released today. ‘Ideal Man‘ sees Combs set aside his acoustic side on several songs in favour of atmospheric synthesisers and distorted electric guitars. Continue reading “Andrew Combs “Dry Eyes” – Listen”
Andrew Combs’ debut gets re-release, with UK dates
Dashing Nashville native (but now Nashville based) Andrew Combs kicks off his European tour this week, which coincides with a re-issue of his first album, ‘Worried Man’. The deluxe digital edition includes new re-cuts of two tracks, including ‘Too Stoned To Cry’, which you can hear below. Hey, we’ve all been there. Continue reading “Andrew Combs’ debut gets re-release, with UK dates”
Andrew Combs + Eric McEntee, The Victoria, Dalston, 1st November 2017
If you are a lover of beautifully crafted, passionate and intelligently written Americana songs then an Andrew Combs gig is always going to be something special. Andrew is one of those enigma artists who everybody that comes across his work is amazed that he is not far more famous than his current standing. Tonight was a small gig in a room behind a pub in the increasingly trendy Dalston. Sadly for Andrew, Dalston is also one of the places in London not served by the underground and a bit too far out of the way for everyone except the locals and his determined fans. Continue reading “Andrew Combs + Eric McEntee, The Victoria, Dalston, 1st November 2017”
Kilkenny Roots Festival, 28th April – 1st May 2017, Kilkenny, Ireland
This was the second time your intrepid reporter has attended the annual celebration of all things good in Roots and Americana music that’s held in the beautiful city of Kilkenny in Ireland and now that it’s done and dusted, I can only scratch my head and wonder why only twice? Arriving on the Friday afternoon the first stop was Cleeres bar and on entering a pint of the local ale was thrust into my hand amidst many welcoming cries. It’s that kind of weekend. Folk I’d met once before at last year’s fest instantly said hello, some were veterans who have been attending since the nineties, some fellow newbies and soon we were all perusing the festival programme and working out our itineraries. Continue reading “Kilkenny Roots Festival, 28th April – 1st May 2017, Kilkenny, Ireland”
Andrew Combs, London Borderline, 9th May 2017
Sixty seconds into show opener Rose Colored Blues and the famously hard to please Borderline feet were tapping. Quite an achievement for an Americana songsmith faced with a London crowd of semi-interested drinkers with a copy of Time Out in one hand and a pint of Pride in the other, but Andrew Combs cuts through mediocrity. There were certain factors on his side tonight for sure. The sound was as smooth as his Southern drawl. From my location at the bar it sounded like a band which blended together like a fine single malt. Continue reading “Andrew Combs, London Borderline, 9th May 2017”