‘The Ungrateful Depression’ is BOB COLLUM'S latest EP. Bob hails from Oklahoma, and is now based in Essex. In the last ten years, Bob has released four albums, including two with his band The Welfare Mothers and two previous EPs. This latest EP has five tracks of country-based Americana, mixed in with a little 1970s new wave. Bob is backed on the EP by Allan Kelly on steel guitar, Gareth Davies on bass and Paul Quarry on drums.
Opening with ‘Primer Grey’, a country style song, the first thing that strikes the listener is how upfront the steel guitar is, very loud in places, so it certainly makes its mark. The lyrics follow one of the standard country themes of love and loss, however with a really nice turn of phrase: - “Was it all part of your plan, Used car and a used up man/A twenty dollar almost diamond ring?/ You walked me to the door; You showed me what it’s for/ Taking what I’m sure you didn’t bring.” This really started the EP well, and certainly made me sit up and listen.
‘Famous Last Words’ which follows is rockier and punchier, a brooding, melancholy tune, with lyrics to match: - “I suppose the gang’s all here, From too far and way too near/ The word on is that it was never love/ We’re here to pay respects, To all the things he must regret/ The word on is it was never love.”
Again, this was another track I really liked, and which contains a great line in: - “You can drink away the hurt until you get your money’s worth. The title track, meanwhile, has a slight Johnny Cash boom chicka beat, and again has a few lyrical surprises: - “When did you figure out that you’d been had, dressed to the nines in your body bag”.
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‘
The Wrong Parade’ opens up a bit, and reminds me slightly of a film soundtrack, with a slow, steady malevolence which matches the cautionary tale: - “Cold steady hand, A first timer’s last stand. It would do you good to be afraid/ It’s all hands on deck, Have you given up yet, along the wrong parade?”
The EP closes with some classic country pop of ‘Rebecca Lee’, which again contains some good lines: - “Simple words that seem to run away/ When all that’s left is nothing left to say.”
This is well worth getting hold of, as musically it’s strong and inventive and has some nice lyrical touches. I think on the strength of this, Bob and his band would also be a good live act to check out when they next breeze through your town.
Order the EP from Bob Collum's website
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