Trying to be subtle doesn’t usually bring success in the country (Americana) music. Unless you are Kris Kristofferson, of course. Up to his third album so far, named “Canyons of My Mind” (sounds like a title given by Willie Nelson, another subtle country guy with a lot of success), Andre Combs maybe has not reached the level of the either two mentioned, but he is definitely up there as far as musical subtlety is concerned. I don’t know whether the success will follow, but judging by this album, it should.
As is with many modern country musicians (or, should we call them that?), Combes mixes quite a few elements here. And it's not just rock and roll. Quite often opts for orchestral arrangements (thank you, Jimmy Webb), but then also adds soul, jazz, anything that suits the theme and music, and he does it quite well. It would, of course, all fail if his lyrics were just simple add-ons, but Combs is obviously a guy who can transfer his experiences and thoughts into meaningful words. In a way, it is no wonder Combs shares the label with Handsome Family, opting sometimes for the American Gothic element in his words.
And it's all quite subtle. Not quiet. For example, the introductory “Heart of Wonder” brings in a great brass and strings arrangements and one of the quickest electric guitar solos, this side of punk music. “Sleepwalker” brings in jazz chord changes and latino tinged acoustic guitar, while a “Dirty Rain” is an excellent ballad with a great orchestral arrangement that should swamp the Americana radio stations. The same fate should hit a totally acoustic”Hazel”, underlined by, shall I say it again, subtle accordion notes. And the album just keeps on going up and up (not necessarily in tempo) to the closing “What It Means to You”, proving that Andrew Combs is not just a talent, but somebody who can produce the music on the level of all the Americana greats. Yes, he is that good.
