Review Summary: The forty-something songwriter may have grown up, but his music has been charged with a new sense of positivity and youthful energy worthy of a few smiles.
Harlan T. Bobo lyrics have always touched upon mundane subjects, yet Bobo is such an eccentric character that he can transport the most simple of subjects to new heights. As seen on his first two albums
Too Much Love and
I'm Your Man, Bobo was rather honest about the disolution of his favorite relationships. Yet, he had never come across as the wallflower cliche or the bleeding heart in the music industry; his music was naked, daring, and evocative, but never maudlin. But it was apparent that after he found love with Anne Ciriani, Bobo would certainly change his lyrical content, which had proven influential on his past works. When talking of a breaking heart, Bobo experimented with muddy guitar lines and blues galore, but now, things are quite the opposite, as Bobo's latest effort is one that explores with upbeat folk rhythms and pop sensibilities. And what a better showcase than the sophisticated "Errand Girl"?
On this track, skittering rhythms flutter by with great poise and complexity to create a melodic, yet folksy tune. Tinged with bits of indie pop, this brisk track flies by, like many tracks on
Sucker. But it's a rarity when a genre-mash like this is fine-tuned so meticulously. But, in stark contrast, "Hamster in a Cage" is a frantic display of indie-pop stylings, tinged with Bobo's rustic twang. This Memphian's pop sensibilities are featured prominently in opener "Sweet Life", where trembling strings and folk tinge play a unique role. This constant change in styles is what
Sucker is all about to be frank. Though Bobo's third full-length is short, it is cohesive, yet eclectic, as shown on "Drank" where Bobo employs a series of skittering rhythms and folk elements, all building up to a melodic coda. This sense of common structure is the polar opposite to the brisk, upbeat folk tunes of
Sucker
This rings true on "Perfect Day" where Bobo utilizes chipper notes and jovial rhythms to show his newfound happiness, and tracks like "Crazy With Loneliness" are eccentric indie-folk hybrids. Here, Bobo shows his knack for creating jaunty rags, even when his lyrics don't allow for it. Perhaps the reason behind this is that Bobo sees his past woes as humorous, but it truly propels the tale of the album. In storytelling fashion, Bobo tells of his relationship with Ciriani, where he travels worldwide, discovers French comforts, and becomes a father. The forty-something songwriter may have grown up, but his music has been charged with a new sense of positivity and youthful energy worthy of a few smiles.
