On the strength of the earlier single, “hope u feel ok,” I knew that I was going to warm to Rob Eberle’s music. Anyone who has the ability to write songs that capture the pop spirit whilst propelling them along a more rock-driven trajectory is always my kind of music maker, especially if, like here, the songs are lyrically relatable and sonically deftly wrought. Now, I have a full five-track ep of his work; he has given me even more reasons to love what he does.
And while the song that kicks off Collateral Damage, “act like that!” comes from the same energetic pop-rock mold as the aforementioned single, a neat blend of driving guitars and understated verses, anthemic vibes and poignant lyrics, from here on in, he takes that infectious pop core and blends it with a number of different genres, to spectacular effect.
“ILYM” blends understated dance grooves and digital soundscapes into a dark, confessional blend of electronica atmospheres and bubbling beats, “half of you” feels like the sort of piano ballad that the likes of Paul McCartney might be writing if he was just starting out today and “when it’s over” is balladic pop which slowly evolves into stadium ready, set-closing encore of the most memorable kind.
I knew that I liked Rob’s ability to inject some life back into the pop format with blistering songs like “act like that” and “hope you feel ok,” but it turns out that he has any number of additional sonic tricks and succulent blends in his creative repertoire. But more than that, he has also managed to bring back some lyrical depth and real honesty to musical forms that have, for too long, had nothing interesting to say. And for that alone, we should hoist him onto our collective shoulders and carry him triumphantly around the musical block.
