Soursob Bob – Self Titled

Soursob Bob – Soursob Bob
CD review by Ian Dearden

Hailing from South Australia and describing himself as an urban folksinger with a deadpan delivery, it’s a bit hard to work out just how to take the eponymous Soursob Bob.

Hiding on his album cover behind shades, beard and beanie, Bob (who may well be a respectable public servant in another life), leads us on an acerbic ramble through the wobbles and pitfalls of modern life.

Antenna for your Love captures the inexorable logic of psychotic insight, while I’ve Been Done Over By Telstra neatly epitomises the experiences of a large percentage of the Australian population.

Moving Into Greg’s House finds Bob wordlessly expressing his feelings, while Friend of a Friend is a bit of a guide to modern friendship, expressed in blunt terms!

Nancy Hawkins Was A Wench is just strange!

The two cover songs (Baterz’ Get Me A Fork and Mal Webb’s Two and a Dog) sit comfortably beside the style of the left field original material from Bob himself.

Of the swag of supporting musicians, the standouts are Emma Luker (Colcannon) on violin, recorder and vocals, and Southern Steve McKenzie on guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, keyboards, shaker, and drums.

The instrumentalists contribute tastefully to the sparse but thoughtful arrangements which, except for the tunes, feature Bob square and out front.

Wry, dry, eccentric and quirky –if that’s your taste, this is the album for you.