Western Soul
Completely Lost, 2025
9/10
Now 7 albums deep, the singer-songwriter Todd Adelman brings both grit and wisdom to his own brand of Americana.
“Oh Mama, Won’t You Take Me Back Home” starts with Adelman’s raw singing and warm guitar that’s met with thumping drums and playful percussion, and “Out Of Gas” follows with a scrappy, roots-rocker via the playful bass and breezy melodies.
Further into the 14 songs, the intimate mood of “One Of A Kind” comes with plenty of country nods, while “Waiting For Something Else To Go Wrong” benefits from frisky organ and well timed harmonica, as Adelman’s descriptive storytelling makes for an animated album highlight.
Residing close to the end, the dance floor energy of “Opposites Attract” offers a lively duet that uses pedal steel and an infectious energy, and “Trying To Get Through Today” exits with some Mariachi presence for even more diversity to Adelman’s vision.
Somewhere between country, rock and roots, Adelman might draw parallels to John Prine, Tom Petty or Kris Kristofferson, and there’s plenty of classic American traditions to absorb across an album that seems like it could soundtrack both a bar fight and an episode of heartbreak.
Travels well with: Kramies- Kramies; Stephen Peter Rodgers- Speck On A Clover