Swampland.com

Now It's Tomorrow

by: Randall Bramblett

(New West)

For his seventh solo album, Randall Bramblett sticks with the same band, producer (Gerry Hanson) and Atlanta studio he used for his excellent 2006 CD Rich Someday, and the resulting album is just as fresh, if not fresher than its predecessor.

Bramblett is as powerful a songwriter as he is a musician, and the tracks on Now It’s Tomorrow include more of the intelligent, thought provoking lyrics, funky jazz beats and smooth Southern ballads that make his music so enjoyable.

And enjoyable it is, whether it be the full tilt rocker “Mess About It,” or the rocking pop love song “Sun Runs.” There are shades of influence from old friends such as Steely Dan and Steve Winwood, especially in songs like “Visions,” sung in a minor key with a deep sense of darkness in the lyrics, interwoven with up beat drums. In fact, it seems to be Bramblett’s M.O. to put deep, often dark lyrics to funky, up -beat rock music. It works well for him.

My favorite track might be “Used to Rule the World.” It’s set against one of the funkiest grooves since Sly Stone, and like all of Bramblett’s songs, possesses a brilliantly clever lyric.

“Miss South Carolina 1975, Somebody stole your crown/You were sleeping in your happy home/When you woke up baby/Your life had come and gone/Now you'r mystified, standing with the rest of us/Who used to rule the world."

Of course, the whole album draws me in. It’s original and different. I like that.         
 
"You Better Move" has Bramblett warning a friend to seek psychological help, all against a driving, funky backbeat, and the melancholy ballad "Where a Life Goes" closes out the album in style. It’s a beautiful acoustic song of love and questions, heart and inner feelings.

Now It’s Tomorrow is a master work from a timeless Southern rock musician, still in his prime.

-Michael Buffalo Smith

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