Randall Bramblett - Now It's Tomorrow '2008

Tracks list

Tracklist

01. Sun Runs
02. Everybody Glows
03. Blue Road
04. Let's Go
05. Some Mean God
06. Mess About It
07. Used to Rule the World
08. Visions
09. Don't Waste Your Time
10. You Better Move
11. Where a Life Goes

There is a temptation to consider Randall Bramblett's seventh solo album a
continuation of his last, 2006's impressive Rich Someday. He sticks with the
identical band, drummer/producer (Gerry Hanson), and Atlanta-based studio. It's
even mixed by the same person. The songs are likewise a comparable set of dusky,
thought-provoking funky/jazzy Southern ballads and midtempo rockers based around
multi-instrumentalist Bramblett's smoky voice, keys, acoustic guitar, and
occasional reeds. While some might complain that this similarly styled disc
finds Bramblett treading water, his performance and the songs are strong enough
to justify a follow-up to his previous release. The sound is often harder here,
with rockers such as "Mess About It" pushing Bramblett's vocals into falsetto as
the band churns out tough, psychedelicized licks. The opening drumbeat sets the
tone for "Sun Runs," a somewhat tortured love song that establishes the disc's
sober qualities. The mix of Steely Dan-styled jazz piano and rock percussion on
"Blue Road" is another Bramblett trait, perhaps acquired when he worked with
Steve Winwood both in and out of Traffic. It's extremely effective, especially
played against his frisky words and singalong "doo doo doo" chorus. There's
still an overriding sense of darkness to the mood, both musically and lyrically,
as he sings "I'm not sure where I'm going now/All my direction was taken from
me" on the minor-key "Visions." The cautionary "You Better Move" has Bramblett
warning a friend to come out of his shell and get psychological help, all
against a driving, funky backbeat. It's not an easy album to warm up to, but
like his last one, additional spins help heighten the appreciation of
Bramblett's generally shadowy themes set against pensive, winding melodies.
Tunes such as the contemplative "Don't Waste Your Time" need to work their way
into your brain but once they do, they stick around. The closing melancholy
ballad "Where a Life Goes" reiterates the yellow/sun motif of the opening track,
giving the disc a circular feel and encouraging the listener to return to an
album best appreciated with lyric sheet in hand.



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