Looking For A Dream
Home, 2019
8/10
A Belgian singer-songwriter who’s well versed in alt-country and folk sensibilities, David Lombard brings some literary influences into his timeless songs, where he references Henry David Thoreau while drawing musical parallels to Springsteen or Isbell.
The title track starts the listen with warm acoustic guitar and elegant violin surrounded by spoken word before shifting into expressive singing in a thoughtful Americana setting, and “Walden” continues the graceful atmosphere with gentle vocals amid piano, light percussion and a banjo.
Halfway through, the country influenced “The Range Of Life” makes exceptional use of pedal steel as swift drumming complements the strong vocal prowess, while the acoustic version of the title track recruits a gritty folk-rock quality that we could never tire of.
The remainder of the tracks are also acoustic versions of earlier tunes, including the powerful and emotive “Stay”, as well as the album highlight, the harmonica friendly and melodic strumming of “Happening Somehow”.
Lombard also brings a mandolin and a cello to this half electric, half acoustic listen, and his strong songwriting should certainly garner him global attention as he parallels the greatness of many of the current country-rock, indie-folk stars that exist today.
Travels well with: Mark Bumgarner- Just Above The Waterline; John Baumann- Country Shade