Bren Holmes

Everything You Never Wanted (Acoustic)

Self-Released, 2022

8/10

Listen to Everything You Never Wanted

The acoustic version of the debut album of the same name from Bren Holmes, this stripped back approach welcomes pipes, bodhran, and whistles into the songs about love lost and found, where Holmes’ Irish roots are front and center.

“Sweet Talkin’ Angel” opens the listen with Holmes’ warm, inviting pipes amid the pretty acoustic strumming, and “You Say” continues this formula with a bit of Americana to add some rootsy flavor.

Halfway through, the playful percussion of “Ugly” and smooth delivery makes this one of the album’s best, and even welcomes backing female vocals, while “Love On Your Side (LC Blues)” recruits graceful piano for the intimate and poetic climate.

Further on, the festive spirit of “Take It All Away” turns into an emotive, anthemic landscape, and “Somewhere (Ode To Shane)” exits with a firm Celtic slant on the rugged yet tuneful finish.

Perhaps best known as the bassist for the Celtic rock band Young Dubliners, Holmes is certainly well versed in folk, Americana and roots sounds, too, and with plenty of mandolin from Bryan Dobbs present, he makes for a twangy, bluesy and gritty version of really great originals and an ABBA cover.

Travels well with: Bren Holmes- Everything You Never Wanted; Frank Turner- Love Ire And Song