Album Reviews

ADIOS
Cory Branan - Adios
7.5
 on
Wednesday, April 19, 2017 - 15:22
submitted by
Thomas

Over the course of a handful of albums, Cory Branan has managed to make a name for himself as one hell of a songwriter. On his first new album in two-and-a-half years, Branan once again weaves his way through a variety of styles, while managing to make “Adios” not only consistent, but also his best record to date.

 

Opening track “I Only Know” is an upbeat tune with backup vocals by Laura Jane Grace and Dave Hause. “Blacksburg” sounds like a runaway Springsteen song that found shelter on “Adios”. “You Got Through” sounds like Tom Petty meeting up with Elvis Costello. And there is also room for more standard country fare in the form of “Don’t Go”. It’s that mix of rock, folk, country and Americana, that makes “Adios” so much fun to listen to. You never really know what lies ahead. Just that it’s going to be good.

 

Pretty much the only constant on “Adios” is that most of the songs seem to center around some sort of goodbye. Hence the album title. Goodbyes to idealism, innocence and former selves. But don’t call “Adios” a concept album. Branan doesn’t do concept albums, just good records. And that, “Adios” most definitely is. Right up until the moment he waltzes out the door in closing track “My Father Was An Accordion Player”.

 

Track listing:

  1. I Only Know
  2. Imogene
  3. Blacksburg
  4. Yeah, So What
  5. You Got Through
  6. The Vow
  7. Walls, MS
  8. Cold Blue Moonlight
  9. Another Nightmare in America
  10. Chameleon Moon
  11. Equinox
  12. Don't Go
  13. Visiting Hours
  14. My Father Was an Accordian Player
Tom Dumarey
Tom Dumarey

Lacking the talent to actually play in a band, Tom decided he would write about bands instead. Turns out his writing skills are mediocre at best as well.