Album Notes

Low Rent Romeo' is the second solo release from Chicago based Bob Collum, and it's a release that, if there's any justice, will see him known as one of the very best singer/songwriters around.
The 12 tracks on display here cover a wide a variety of styles, but it's best described as contemporary folk with a pop/rock edge - it's a wonderful combination that has the best of all worlds; great lyrics & musicians, and it's full of hooks - what more could you ask for?
On first listen the songs are refreshing and immediately appealing, but it's the consistency of the disc that impresses the most - it never lets up, good track follows good track and there's definitely no filler on here.
It's difficult to highlight tracks from albums as solid as this, but the melody and lyrics on 'Empty Hands of Love' combined with the great interplay between the acoustic guitar and fiddle make it obvious choice. Other standouts include the final song 'Laws of Gravity', a disarmingly simple acoustic track, and the folk-pop of the opener, 'Falling Blue'.
Throw in intelligent & subtle use of instrumentation, and excellent production that works well on the variety of song styles and you have one of the best discs to come through our doors this or any year.
It only has to be a matter of time before a big label comes in and picks the disc up - pioneering listeners should make sure they grab their copies of the disc earlier.

produced by Lou Whitney