Everything You Never Wanted
Self-Released, 2021
9/10
Listen to Everything You Never Wanted
Perhaps best known as the bassist for the Celtic punk legends Young Dubliners for 30+ years, this debut from Bren Holmes showcases the singer-songwriter’s rootsy vision, where sing-alongs align next to emotionally raw tunes that recruits Dave Raven (drums), Rachel Grace (violin), Ward Poulos (drums), and Pat D’Arcy (Pipes, Whistles, etc) for the diverse outing.
“Sweet Talkin’ Angel” starts the listen with a very warm and melodic version of Americana that benefits from lap steel and Holmes’ gritty yet tuneful pipes, and “You Say” continues the setting with a campfire-esque delivery of quickly strummed acoustic guitar amid a bouncy, rootsy appeal.
“No Return” lands in the middle and enters darker territory that’s full of reflective wordplay and busy, lush, rugged rock, while “Ugly” welcomes Brett Anderson, formerly of The Donnas, on the melodic landscape you could dance to in a folk-punk sort of way. “Love On Your Side (LC Blues)” then does indeed welcome the blues, where graceful piano meets the sublime singing.
Further yet, “Take It All Away”, the album’s best, then flirts with pop ideas amid dreamy song craft, and “Somewhere (Ode To Shane)” exits the listen steeped in his Irish heritage, where a drinking song ends up in anthemic waters.
Even though he resides in Los Angeles now, Holmes still retains the influences from his Ireland birthplace in his work, and the addition of mandolin, violin, viola and many guest vocalists make for a Celtic rock experience you won’t soon forget.
Travels well with: Dropkick Murphys- Signed And Sealed In Blood; The Murlocs- Bittersweet Demons