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The fact that genres such as soul and blues and rock and country are all, not too distant, musical cousins when viewed on the musical family tree means that when we hear terms such as Rock ‘n’ Soul, we know exactly what it means and just how much music might relate to the genres which spawned it. And Rock ‘n’ Soul is the perfect term for the music that Taylor Robert makes. If you are not sure how those two genres, plus many more supply and subtly used to keep things interesting, can be made to fit seamlessly together, then grab a copy of his new album, Man on A Mission and prepared to be schooled.
Kicking off with “Cure the Blues”, a song that weaves spacious bluesy riffs around a soulful groove, the music is simultaneously classic sounding and forward-thinking, the sound of someone tipping his hat to the past while walking into a bright new musical future. And proof, if proof were needed, of this duality comes with “Keep The Light On”, a song built on shimmering rock guitars but feeling nothing if not cutting edge, a song draped in hazy atmospherics and eerie strands of guitar, the epitome of the late-night vibes that the lyrics allude to.
“Crossroad” blends acoustic folk with haunted blues; “Change The World” is a gently anthemic, poignant, and powerful soul ballad, and songs such as “Jeep Truck” and “U Got Da Tongue Goin’” prove that he has a wonderful sense of humor, songs made in the vein of the likes of Arlo Guthrie or Randy Newman.
By the time you get to the end of the record, you realize that even the genres I talked about in the intro are just the tip of the iceberg and that you can throw in everything from a new type of vaudeville to musical theatre, a few indie vibes, alt-country and all manner of other strange and wonderful inclusions.
This all proves two things. Firstly that, generic labels are pointless. Secondly that Taylor Robert is a deft and adventurous songwriter. But we knew both of those facts already, right?
