Collin Herring - Some Knives (SR)

Forth Worth troubadour Collin Herring steps firmly out of the shadows with his newest LP entitled Some Knives. His first record since 2009’s Ocho finds Matt Pence of Centro-Matic again behind the production wheel for an upbeat albeit melancholy filled affair where stately drums and synths take a front seat.

Herring states his pursuit with Some Knives from the top with “Psychopaths.” The track finds him quickly asserting a more daring voice and arrangement than past releases. Lines like, “Psychopaths like me don’t shiver” hang on the listener while contempo drums lope around buzzed out chiming guitars. The album’s title track “Some Knives” leaves little room for fans to catch up before Herring throws down another glazed number, this time with a little less creep and a lot more heart …and synths. “Woke Up The Same” channels some Chore of Enchantment -era Giant Sand both in feel and delivery (a rad thing IMO). “Kicked Around” auspiciously builds upon the hopeful gloom of Ocho while still taking Herring further sonically.

On the album’s title track Herring humbly sings the line “Got caught up in the flowers.” It’s a phrase that gives you a good idea of where Herring is at the moment. He’s reaching toward something, regardless of whether he gets there or not is not near as important as the moment he’s in right now.