Bigger Than In Between
Self-Release, 2022
8/10
Listen to Bigger Than In Between
The New England native and former Voice contestant Sam Robbins sure delivers like an old soul, where parallels to the ‘70s won’t be hard to spot as Neilson Hubbard (drums, percussion), Michael Rinne (bass), Juan Solorzano (electric guitar, pedal steel) and Halley Neal (backing vocals, arrangements) help flesh out the thoughtful songs.
“Bigger Than In Between” starts the listen with very warm acoustic guitar alongside Robbins and Neal’s soft vocal harmonies in the intimate folk climate, and “Wouldn’t Change A Thing (Maybe It’s All Bullshit)” follows with more emphasis on drums as Robbins’ poetic singing unfolds alongside a mature, retro spirit.
Halfway through, “Will It Ever Feel” makes great use glowing steel amid the introspective landscape that certainly sounds like Nashville, where Robbins happens to live now, while “Easy To Blame” gets a bit more rugged in its darker demeanor that’s heavy on atmosphere.
Further yet, “Just One Cronkite” seems tailor made for late night mulling, where chilling backing vocals complement Robbins’ gentle guitar playing and dreamy song craft, and “Some Things Never Change” exits the listen with a sage like haze of cautious song craft.
An album penned during the quiet moments of the Covid lockdown, if legends like James Taylor, John Denver, and Jackson Browne have occupied any significant time in your life, Robbins’ wise and vintage yet modern approach to soft-rock warrants your attention, too.
Travels well with: Wes Collins- Jabberwockies; Connor Garvey- Another End Of A Year